City Comparison
Madison vs New York City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
83% lower than in New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
77% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Madison | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $774 | $3,382 | -77% |
| Groceries | $0 | $520 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $370 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $130 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $774 | $4,652 | -83% |
| Cost Index | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 35% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$30,960 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Madison | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,593 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $30,960 | $61,000 |
| Household Income | $65,593 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madison runs warmer on average — a 47.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madison comes out ahead with 277 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 22.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 8.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | |
| Humidity | % | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Madison has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
16,000 minutes (267 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 4.0/100 | 88.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 167.60 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,094 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with average rent significantly lower than the national average.
Low violent crime rate, making it a safe place to live with a 'A' safety grade.
Short average commute time of 11.4 minutes, allowing for more personal time.
Strong presence of educational institutions like Dakota State University, contributing to a youthful atmosphere.
Generally lower median property values compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with an 'Exceptionally Drivable' score and limited transit reach.
Walkability is moderate, with a score of 50/100, indicating that most daily errands would require a vehicle.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Limited major retail and entertainment options within the city, requiring travel to larger centers like Sioux Falls.
The job market has seen a slight decline in employment in recent years.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Madison
#10South Dakota, USA
75.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$774
Avg Salary
$65,593
Cost Index
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
4.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
47.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
75
Business
60
New York City
#584New York, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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