Madison WI vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.6 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 73.0% | 51.8% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 4.8% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $71,302 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 44.6% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Tampa
1453
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 324 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1453 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.5% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.4% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 15.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.6% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 73.4°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 46.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 26.8 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tampa. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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