Madison WI vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.7 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 73.0% | 34.2% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 13.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 1.6% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Miami
$42,528
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Miami
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $59,390 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $42,528 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.0% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 19.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 35.6% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $580,996 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 30.7% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Miami
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Miami
1453
| Metric | Madison, WI | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 324 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1453 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.5% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 27.2% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.3% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 75.8°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 64.1 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 29.9 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 324 in Miami. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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