Madison WI vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 73.0% | 61.8% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 6.6% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.2% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.2% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $871,599 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 44.3% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Madison, WI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 383 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 3409 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 52.6°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 37.5 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 28.8 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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