Madison WI vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 209,720 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.3% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 41.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 3.2% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $46,628 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $30,451 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 26.6% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 29.9% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 37.2% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 434 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1736 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 38.0% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.3% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.8% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 16.6% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 48.2°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Madison, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Madison, WIChicago, IL vs Madison, WIHouston, TX vs Madison, WIMadison, WI vs Phoenix, AZMadison, WI vs Philadelphia, PA