Madison WI vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Savannah
33.7
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 147,546 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.7 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 6.7% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 37.2% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 2.9% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $56,782 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $32,004 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $57,405 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 19.5% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 32.0% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $326,132 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 44.4% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Savannah
1752
| Metric | Madison, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 392 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1752 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Savannah
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 34.5% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.6% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.8% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.7% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 66.8°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 48.0 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 22.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while savannah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $326,132. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Savannah. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 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