Madison, NJ vs Roseland, NJ

Madison is moderately more affordable than Roseland, with a 6.2% lower cost of living index. Madison scores 180 compared to 192 for Roseland, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Roseland can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Madison is $2,248/month compared to $3,293/month in Roseland — a 32% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Madison has cheaper rent, Roseland actually has lower median home values ($640,600 vs $882,900).

Median household income in Madison is $168,469 compared to $160,644 in Roseland (+4.9%). 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 16% of their income on rent, less than the 24.6% in Roseland.