Madison WI vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 268,959 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.3 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 73.0% | 63.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 3.2% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 7.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $45,180 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.0% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 35.7% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $570,934 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Madison, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 460 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2417 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.5% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.0% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.8% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 53.0°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 22.3 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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