Madison WI vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 113,714 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 40.7 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 4.5% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 70.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 2.9% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.4% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $65,537 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $41,110 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 35.1% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Madison, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 344 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1842 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 41.1% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.9% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.3% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.2% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.7% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 37.7 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. 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%.
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