Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Madison
11.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 275,568 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 11.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 29.0% | 7.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $429,253 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.8% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. 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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