City comparison
Madison is safer than Richmond. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 169 in Richmond, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 122, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Safety is where Madison and Richmond split most clearly. Madison scores 78 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,413 in Madison and $1,372 in Richmond.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Richmond costs less and Madison 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 crime gap is citywide. Madison has rougher pockets and Richmond has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Madison and Richmond are 735 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $41 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $64,587 in Richmond, down $13,463 (17%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 169 in Richmond, up 78 points (86%).
The move
Richmond and Madison are 735 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $41 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $78,050 in Madison, up $13,463 (21%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 91 in Madison, down 78 points (46%).
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Madison and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Richmond rent is 3% cheaper than Madison
Madison
$1,413/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,413 in Madison, so Richmond is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $41, or $492 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 Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
21% higher
Madison's median income is 21% higher than Richmond
Madison
Winner$78,050
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Madison (about $13,463 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Madison is the stronger labor market on paper. Richmond can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
46% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 46% lower than Richmond
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Richmond
169 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 169 in Richmond (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 46% 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. Richmond can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
35% more comfortable
Richmond weather is 35% more comfortable than Madison
Madison
53°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 66/100
Richmond
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Madison averages about 53°F (61°F highs); Richmond averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Madison averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Richmond averages around 61°F. Richmond scores 35% 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 and professional growth
Madison is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 21% 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 46% lower than Richmond (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.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Richmond is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% cheaper here at about $1,372 a month. Choose Richmond if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Richmond if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (61°F) beat Madison on this page's weather index by 35%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Richmond is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Madison leads on safety (63/100 vs 44/100 in Richmond). Typical rent is $1,413 in Madison and $1,372 in Richmond; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (63/100 in Madison vs 44/100 in Richmond), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $78,050 in Madison versus $64,587 in Richmond.
Madison is ahead on safety (63/100 vs 44/100); Richmond is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,372/month rent plus $64,587 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Richmond when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Madison and Richmond, plus other cities in WI and VA.
