Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 83.6% | 73.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 9.3% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $76,983 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.2% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Madison
1392
| Metric | Boise, ID | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 309 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1392 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 37.3 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.2 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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