Madison WI vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 75,721 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.0 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 73.0% | 48.7% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 2.2% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 6.8% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.1% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $765,686 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 45.2% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Madison, WI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 383 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 3409 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.5% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.1% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 53.2°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 40.1 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.4 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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