Madison WI vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Madison
73.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 26,509 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.7 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 7.1% | 3.6% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 5.2% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.9% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Rochester
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.2% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 50.3% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1992 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 36.4% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.2% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.4% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 28.3 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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