Carrollton TX 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Madison
11.6%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 11.6% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 9.2% | 7.1% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 8.0% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 9.3% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $76,983 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $48,557 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 16.2% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Carrollton +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $429,253 | Carrollton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 46.6% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Carrollton +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 32.7% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 16.5% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 20.8% | Carrollton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.2% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | 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.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Carrollton +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Carrollton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while carrollton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,531. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Carrollton. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Carrollton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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