Madison WI vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Madison
7.1%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.4 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 6.6% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 31.6% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 2.8% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $55,339 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $39,698 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $55,297 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.8% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 22.6% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 41.9% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 643 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2824 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
New Orleans
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
New Orleans
19.7%
New Orleans +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 34.0% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.1% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.4% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.7% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 19.7% | New Orleans + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 15.5% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 66.6 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.6 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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