Madison WI vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.4 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 9.1% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 61.6% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 7.2% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.9% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $47,372 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 40.4% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Madison, WI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1726 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 36.5% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.8% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.7% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.3% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.1% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 25.0 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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