Madison WI vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.7 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 73.0% | 53.8% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 4.7% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $59,120 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.5% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 52.9% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $435,807 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Madison, WI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 398 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1999 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.1% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.6% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.7% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.5% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 61.1°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 46.2 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.1 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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