Madison, MS vs Pearl, MS

The cost of living difference between Madison, MS and Pearl, MS is dramatic. Pearl is 41.1% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 113 while Pearl sits at 80, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $1,798/month compared to $1,152/month in Pearl — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pearl is more affordable at $170,900 median vs $334,700.

Median household income in Madison is $120,918 compared to $54,643 in Pearl (+121.3%). While Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 25.3% in Pearl.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66°F vs 65.4°F). Pearl receives more rainfall at 57.3" per year compared to 51.3" in Madison.