Madison WI vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Orem
10.5%
White
Madison
73.0%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 86,973 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.3 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.5% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 7.1% | 1.9% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 1.6% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $70,053 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $33,579 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $60,713 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.0% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 25.6% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $509,396 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Madison, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1931 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Orem
7.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.7% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.1% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 11.5% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 52.5°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.5 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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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