Duluth MN 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)
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Duluth
N/A
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Madison
11.6%
White
Duluth
N/A
Madison
73.0%
Black
Duluth
N/A
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 275,568 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 73.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Duluth +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Madison
2.7%
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,983 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $48,557 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $61,837 | Duluth + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 59.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Duluth +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $292,800 | $429,253 | Duluth + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Duluth +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 309 | Duluth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Duluth +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 7.9% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.1% | 20.8% | Duluth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Duluth +
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Duluth +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7°F | 46.7°F | Duluth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.0 in | 37.3 in | Duluth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Duluth +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Duluth +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Duluth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Duluth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Duluth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $292,800. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Duluth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
Duluth, MN vs New York, NYDuluth, MN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Duluth, MNDuluth, MN vs Houston, TXDuluth, MN vs Phoenix, AZDuluth, MN vs Philadelphia, PA