Madison WI vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 190,214 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.9 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 73.0% | 40.7% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 5.9% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $66,772 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $36,694 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 20.1% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 34.7% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $429,449 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 41.2% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 34.4% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.5% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.6% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 14.6% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.1% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 27.4 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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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