Madison WI vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 73.0% | 53.2% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.1% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $73,055 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $41,594 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.9% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 43.5% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Madison, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1992 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 24.1 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul 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 Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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