Madison WI vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 135,806 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.2 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 73.0% | 49.1% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.9% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 51.7% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $708,498 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Madison, WI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1524 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.6% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.3% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 52.3°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 53.2 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 30.1 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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