Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 82.8% | 73.0% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 9.3% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $76,983 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $48,557 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,837 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 16.2% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 46.6% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Arvada +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 32.7% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.5% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 20.8% | Arvada + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Arvada +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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