Madison, MS vs Picayune, MS

The cost of living difference between Madison, MS and Picayune, MS is dramatic. Picayune is 60.6% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Madison has a cost index of 113 while Picayune sits at 71, 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 $907/month in Picayune — a 98% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Picayune is more affordable at $146,500 median vs $334,700.

Median household income in Madison is $120,918 compared to $37,270 in Picayune (+224.4%). 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 29.2% in Picayune.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66°F vs 67.7°F). Picayune receives more rainfall at 61.9" per year compared to 51.3" in Madison.