Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Madison
11.6%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.6% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.4% | 7.1% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 9.3% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $76,983 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $48,557 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 59.2% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Madison
7.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 32.7% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 7.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.8% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.2% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 37.3 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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