Arlington TX vs Madison WI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Madison
11.6%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 275,568 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.6% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 22.4% | 7.1% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 9.3% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 16.2% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $429,253 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 46.6% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.8% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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