Madison WI vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.2 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.8% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 36.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 4.8% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Milwaukee
$61,837
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $51,888 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $29,679 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $61,837 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 23.3% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 26.6% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 41.5% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Milwaukee
309
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Milwaukee
1392
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 309 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1392 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 41.8% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.7% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.1% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 14.1% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 17.3% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 47.5°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.1 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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