Madison WI vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.6 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 73.0% | 70.1% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 5.8% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.5% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 53.5% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $538,687 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 355 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 3001 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.9% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.3% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.7% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 51.6°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 78.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 26.5 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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