Madison WI vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.9 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 73.0% | 39.1% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 4.1% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.5% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $580,173 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 41.1% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Madison, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 398 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1999 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Madison +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.8% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 24.0% | Madison + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 32.8 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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