Madison WI vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Madison
73.0%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 79,526 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 40.7 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 73.0% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 7.1% | 5.0% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.7% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $514,358 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Madison, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1992 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Plymouth
18.5%
Plymouth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 18.5% | Plymouth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.5 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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