City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 169 in New York, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 195, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Madison is cheaper. Median rent is $1,413 a month versus $1,821 in New York.
Safety is where New York and Madison 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 $1,821 in New York and $1,413 in Madison.
This is a genuine split. New York wins on the job market and Madison wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
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
New York and Madison are 807 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,821 a month in New York to $1,413 a month in Madison, down $408 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $80,483 in New York to $78,050 in Madison, down $2,433 (3%).
The crime index goes from 169 in New York to 91 in Madison, down 78 points (46%).
The move
Madison and New York are 807 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,821 a month in New York, up $408 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $80,483 in New York, up $2,433 (3%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 169 in New York, up 78 points (86%).
New York, NY
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 New York and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Madison rent is 22% cheaper than New York
New York
$1,821/mo
Madison
Winner$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,413 a month in Madison versus $1,821 in New York, so Madison is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $408/month back in your pocket ($4,896/year). Over five years that's $24,480 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in New York, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Madison is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
New York's median income is 3% higher than Madison
New York
Winner$80,483
Madison
$78,050
Median household income is $80,483 in New York versus $78,050 in Madison, so typical pay runs 3% higher in New York (about $2,433 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
46% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 46% lower than New York
New York
169 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 169 in New York (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. New York can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
New York and Madison are about even on typical weather.
New York
52°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 64/100
Madison
52°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 64/100
New York averages about 52°F (58°F highs); Madison averages about 52°F (62°F highs). New York averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Madison averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
New York is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 3% higher here ($80,483). Start with New York if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 22% 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 46% lower than New York (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 44/100 in New York). Typical rent is $1,413 in Madison and $1,821 in New York; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
New York still pays more locally ($80,483 median income vs $78,050), which can offset the lease if your field pays New York rates.
Median income is $80,483 in New York versus $78,050 in Madison.
Madison is ahead on safety (63/100 vs 44/100); New York is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,821/month rent plus $80,483 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
Ready to move to Madison?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Madison when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for New York and Madison, plus other cities in NY and WI.
