Madison WI vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.1 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 73.0% | 36.1% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 7.8% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $60,698 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $37,669 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 8.4% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 22.0% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 34.6% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Madison, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 319 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1613 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 57.1°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 48.5 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 34.5 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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