City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 197 in Atlanta, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 193, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Madison is cheaper. Median rent is $1,413 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
Safety is where Atlanta and Madison split most clearly. Madison scores 106 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,413 in Madison.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Madison costs less and Atlanta pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Madison at $1,413 average has pockets that run $1,213 and others at $1,813: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Atlanta and Madison are 699 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,413 a month in Madison, down $298 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $78,050 in Madison, down $7,602 (9%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 91 in Madison, down 106 points (54%).
The move
Madison and Atlanta are 699 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $298 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $7,602 (10%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 197 in Atlanta, up 106 points (116%).
Atlanta, GA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Atlanta and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Madison rent is 17% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Madison
Winner$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,413 a month in Madison versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Madison is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,576, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Madison still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Atlanta.
Planning to buy in Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Atlanta's median income is 10% higher than Madison
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Madison
$78,050
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $78,050 in Madison, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Atlanta (about $7,602 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
54% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 54% lower than Atlanta
Atlanta
197 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 197 in Atlanta (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 54% lower in Madison. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Madison is the easier city. Atlanta can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Atlanta weather is 39% more comfortable than Madison
Atlanta
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Madison
52°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 64/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Madison averages about 52°F (62°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Madison averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Atlanta scores 39% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 10% higher ($85,652), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Madison is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,413 a month. Choose Madison if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 54% lower than Atlanta (91 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Madison leads on safety (63/100 vs 39/100 in Atlanta). Typical rent is $1,413 in Madison and $1,711 in Atlanta; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (63/100 in Madison vs 39/100 in Atlanta), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,413 in Madison and $1,711 in Atlanta.
Between Atlanta and Madison, Madison is ahead on safety — 63/100 safety versus 39/100. Lean Atlanta instead when you already know the Atlanta block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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