Madison, NC vs Silver City, NC

Madison is moderately more affordable than Silver City, with a 9.8% lower cost of living index. Madison scores 67 compared to 74 for Silver City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Silver City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $730/month compared to $958/month in Silver City — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Madison is more affordable at $144,900 median vs $153,200.

Median household income in Madison is $49,964 compared to $16,466 in Silver City (+203.4%). Madison offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Madison spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, less than the 69.8% in Silver City. The Madison ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.