Madison WI vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Peoria
11.3%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Peoria
72.6%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Peoria
5.8%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 194,338 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 42.1 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 11.3% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 72.6% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 3.4% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 5.8% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Peoria
$45,831
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Peoria
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Peoria
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $45,831 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $59,120 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.5% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 35.5% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $488,428 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Madison, WI | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 450 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2150 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Peoria
10.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.3% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.6% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 31.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Peoria. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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