Madison WI vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 220,482 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.3 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 73.0% | 59.4% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $44,756 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.3% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 33.5% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $496,966 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tacoma, 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%
Madison +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 37.3% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.9% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.7% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.9% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 53.5°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 39.2 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 31.1 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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