Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 89.9% | 73.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $61,837 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $429,253 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 46.6% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 309 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.5% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.8% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 46.7°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 37.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Cheyenne +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cheyenne + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 21.2 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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