Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Madison
11.6%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 275,568 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 11.6% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 6.7% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 8.0% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 9.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,837 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $429,253 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.6% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 20.8% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 37.3 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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