Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Madison
11.6%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 11.6% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 0.7% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 9.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Madison
2.7%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $76,983 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $48,557 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 2.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 16.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 46.6% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 32.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.5% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.2% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 37.3 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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