Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Madison
11.6%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 11.6% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 73.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 9.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $76,983 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $48,557 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,837 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 16.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 59.2% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 46.6% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 32.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 16.5% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 20.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.2% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | 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.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, 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 324 in Boca Raton. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
Compare More Cities
Boca Raton, FL vs New York, NYBoca Raton, FL vs Los Angeles, CABoca Raton, FL vs Chicago, ILBoca Raton, FL vs Houston, TXBoca Raton, FL vs Phoenix, AZBoca Raton, FL vs Philadelphia, PA