Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 31.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 81.8% | 73.0% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 9.3% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $76,983 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $48,557 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,837 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 59.2% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 46.6% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Boulder +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 32.7% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 7.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 20.8% | Boulder + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 37.3 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.2 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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