Madison WI vs New Braunfels TX — 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Madison
73.0%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 267 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.4 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.2% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 7.1% | 0.0% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 0.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
New Braunfels
$74,643
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $74,643 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $21,360 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 1.8% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $352,129 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
New Braunfels
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
New Braunfels
2339
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 442 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2339 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
New Braunfels
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
New Braunfels
19.1%
New Braunfels +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
New Braunfels
11.0%
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 34.6% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.6% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 15.2% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 19.1% | New Braunfels + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.0% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 67.4°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
New Braunfels
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in New Braunfels. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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