Madison WI vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Medford
N/A
White
Madison
73.0%
Medford
N/A
Black
Madison
7.1%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 73.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 8.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Medford
$63,691
Medford +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,691 | Medford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Medford
$410,269
Medford +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $410,269 | Medford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Medford
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Madison, WI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 355 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 3001 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Medford
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Medford
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Medford
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 33.0% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.9% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.1% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.4% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.6% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Medford
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Medford
18.4 in
Medford +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 55.6°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 18.4 in | Medford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Medford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Medford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Medford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Medford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $410,269. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Medford. Medford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
Madison, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Madison, WIChicago, IL vs Madison, WIHouston, TX vs Madison, WIMadison, WI vs Phoenix, AZMadison, WI vs Philadelphia, PA