Madison WI vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Madison
275,568
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.7 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.0% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 66.6% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 4.9% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $63,072 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $35,958 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 30.9% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Madison, WI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 449 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2174 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 39.5% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.6% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.7% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 16.3% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 57.0°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Wichita 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%.
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