Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 275,568 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 39.9% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 46.9% | 7.1% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $76,983 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $48,557 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $429,253 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 32.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 20.8% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
Compare More Cities
Atlanta, GA vs New York, NYAtlanta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAtlanta, GA vs Chicago, ILAtlanta, GA vs Houston, TXAtlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAtlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA