Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Madison
11.6%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 31.8 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.6% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 10.5% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 8.0% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $76,983 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $48,557 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,837 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 16.2% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 59.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Madison
1392
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1392 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Cambridge +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 32.7% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 7.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.5% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 7.9% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 20.8% | Cambridge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.2% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, 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 326 in Cambridge. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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