Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Madison
11.6%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 11.6% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 2.2% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 8.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $76,983 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $48,557 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,837 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 16.2% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 59.2% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 46.6% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 32.7% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 7.4% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.5% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 7.9% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.8% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 10.2% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | 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.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, 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 383 in Bellevue. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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