Madison WI vs Manchester NH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Madison
73.0%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 115,415 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.9 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 73.0% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 7.1% | 5.3% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 4.6% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Manchester
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $44,220 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.8% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 33.5% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $441,257 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 35.0% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.4% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.9% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 49.2°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 44.6 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.7 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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