Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 275,568 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 11.7% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 76.8% | 7.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $429,253 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.6% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 20.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 37.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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