Madison WI vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Portland
11.1%
White
Madison
73.0%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 68,505 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 11.1% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 7.1% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 3.2% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.1% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $76,174 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $61,587 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.4% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Portland
46.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $561,069 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 46.7% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.3% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.8% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.1% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 47.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 21.4 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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
Compare More Cities
Madison, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Madison, WIChicago, IL vs Madison, WIHouston, TX vs Madison, WIMadison, WI vs Phoenix, AZMadison, WI vs Philadelphia, PA