Madison, NE vs Wayne, NE

Madison, NE and Wayne, NE have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Madison scores 66 while Wayne scores 70 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $818/month compared to $707/month in Wayne — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wayne has cheaper rent, Madison actually has lower median home values ($116,000 vs $198,600).

Median household income in Madison is $56,932 compared to $52,804 in Wayne (+7.8%). 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 17.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.1% in Wayne.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.2°F vs 49.2°F). Wayne receives more rainfall at 27" per year compared to 27" in Madison.