Madison WI vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.0 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 73.0% | 61.6% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 5.2% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 16.4% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 54.4% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Madison, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1992 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Minneapolis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.1% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 19.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.7% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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