City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 93 in Tampa, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 112, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Madison is cheaper. Median rent is $1,413 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Tampa and Madison. Tampa averages 75°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 $1,701 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. Tampa 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 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
Tampa and Madison are 1,115 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,413 a month in Madison, down $288 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $78,050 in Madison, up $2,575 (3%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 91 in Madison, down 2 points (2%).
The move
Madison and Tampa are 1,115 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $288 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $75,475 in Tampa, down $2,575 (3%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 93 in Tampa, up 2 points (2%).
Tampa, FL
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 Tampa and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Madison rent is 17% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Madison
Winner$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,413 a month in Madison versus $1,701 in Tampa, 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 $3,456, 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 Tampa.
Planning to buy in Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Madison's median income is 3% higher than Tampa
Tampa
$75,475
Madison
Winner$78,050
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $75,475 in Tampa, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Madison (about $2,575 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
2% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 2% lower than Tampa
Tampa
93 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 93 in Tampa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Madison. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Madison, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Tampa. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
92% more comfortable
Tampa weather is 92% more comfortable than Madison
Tampa
Winner75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Madison
48°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 52/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Madison averages about 48°F (57°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°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. Tampa 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 Tampa if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (75°F) beat Madison on this page's weather index by 92%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Tampa 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 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 3% 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 2% lower than Tampa (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
On weather alone, Tampa is the warmer market (75°F) and Madison the cooler (48°F). Typical leases run $1,701 and $1,413; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.
Median income is $78,050 in Madison versus $75,475 in Tampa.
Between Tampa and Madison, Tampa is ahead on climate — 75°F typical weather versus 48°F. Lean Madison instead when you would rather tolerate 48°F than optimize for Tampa's comfort score.
Typical rent stays $1,413 in Madison and $1,701 in Tampa.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Madison when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tampa and Madison, plus other cities in FL and WI.
