Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 275,568 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 72.3% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 5.8% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $76,983 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,837 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 46.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 32.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 37.3 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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