Madison WI vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Madison
73.0%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 242,169 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 49.2 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 11.2% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 7.1% | 2.0% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 5.1% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Scottsdale
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $59,120 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.4% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $858,307 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Madison, WI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 450 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2150 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 72.5°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 23.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Scottsdale. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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