Madison WI vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 203,888 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.0 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 73.0% | 70.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 5.3% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $74,925 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $60,713 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.8% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 50.9% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $580,126 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Madison, WI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1931 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.2% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.3% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 52.8°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 21.3 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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