Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 275,568 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 36.7% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 46.8% | 7.1% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 9.3% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $429,253 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 20.8% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 37.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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