Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Madison
11.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 275,568 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 22.9% | 7.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 9.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,837 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $429,253 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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