Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Madison
11.6%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 275,568 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 28.1% | 7.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 9.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $429,253 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 46.6% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | 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
Indianapolis
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NYIndianapolis, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Indianapolis, INHouston, TX vs Indianapolis, INIndianapolis, IN vs Phoenix, AZIndianapolis, IN vs Philadelphia, PA