Madison WI vs Surprise 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Madison
73.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 149,519 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 41.6 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 6.8% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 7.1% | 4.8% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 2.6% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $39,604 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $59,120 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.2% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 31.0% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Madison, WI | Surprise, 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%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.2% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.5% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.4% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 32.8 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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