Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Madison
11.6%
White
Denver
62.9%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 275,568 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.6% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 8.8% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 9.3% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $76,983 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $48,557 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,837 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 16.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 46.6% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Madison
20.8%
Madison +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Madison
10.2%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 32.7% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 7.4% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 20.8% | Madison + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.2% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 37.3 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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