Madison WI vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 63.7% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 5.8% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.2% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $64,137 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $43,590 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 19.5% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 47.8% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pittsburgh, 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%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 51.8°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 39.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.0 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. 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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