Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Madison
11.6%
White
Concord
54.7%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 11.6% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 22.1% | 7.1% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 9.3% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $76,983 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 16.2% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $429,253 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 46.6% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 20.8% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Concord. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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