City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Madison is cheaper. Median rent is $1,413 a month versus $1,421 in Fresno.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Fresno and Madison. Fresno averages 74°F while Madison averages 48°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,421 versus $1,413.
Madison is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety by margins that add up in daily life. Fresno makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Madison is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Madison has rougher pockets and Fresno has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Fresno and Madison are 1,658 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,413 a month in Madison, down $8 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $78,050 in Madison, up $7,059 (10%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 91 in Madison, down 104 points (53%).
The move
Madison and Fresno are 1,658 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,421 a month in Fresno, up $8 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $70,991 in Fresno, down $7,059 (9%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 195 in Fresno, up 104 points (114%).
Fresno, CA
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 Fresno and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Madison rent is 1% cheaper than Fresno
Fresno
$1,421/mo
Madison
Winner$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,413 a month in Madison versus $1,421 in Fresno, so Madison is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $8, or $96 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Madison's median income is 10% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Madison
Winner$78,050
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Madison (about $7,059 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
53% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 53% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 53% 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. Fresno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
92% more comfortable
Fresno weather is 92% more comfortable than Madison
Fresno
Winner74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Madison
48°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 52/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Madison averages about 48°F (57°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Madison averages around 48°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Fresno scores 92% 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Fresno if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (74°F) beat Madison on this page's weather index by 92%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Fresno is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Madison is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($78,050). Start with Madison if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 53% lower than Fresno (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
Safety is the widest gap: Madison scores 63/100 versus 40/100 in Fresno. Typical rent is the same $1,413/month in both cities, so you are choosing streets and blocks, not a cheaper lease.
Median income is $78,050 in Madison versus $70,991 in Fresno — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Madison is ahead on safety (63/100 vs 40/100); Fresno is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,421/month rent plus $70,991 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Weather averages land near 74°F in Fresno and 48°F in Madison.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fresno and Madison, plus other cities in CA and WI.
