Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Madison
11.6%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 11.6% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 4.4% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 9.3% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $61,837 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 16.2% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 46.6% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 32.7% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 20.8% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 355 in Gresham. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Gresham, OR vs New York, NYGresham, OR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gresham, ORGresham, OR vs Houston, TXGresham, OR vs Phoenix, AZGresham, OR vs Philadelphia, PA