Edison NJ 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)
Edison, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$634,102
- 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
Edison
N/A
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edison
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Edison
N/A
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Edison
N/A
Madison
11.6%
White
Edison
N/A
Madison
73.0%
Black
Edison
N/A
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Edison
N/A
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Edison
N/A
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Edison
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Edison, NJ | 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
Edison
N/A
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Edison
N/A
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edison
$77,416
Edison +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Edison
N/A
Madison
2.7%
Poverty Rate
Edison
N/A
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Edison
N/A
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | 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 | $77,416 | $61,837 | Edison + |
| 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
Edison
$634,102
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Edison
N/A
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $634,102 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edison
218
Edison +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edison
1426
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 309 | Edison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edison
N/A
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edison
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edison
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Edison
8.7 µg/m³
Edison +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edison
75.0%
Edison +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Edison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Edison + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Edison
N/A
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Edison is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Edison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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