Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Madison, WI
VS
Toms River, NJ
🏆 Madison leads 12 of 23 categories
Madison
Wisconsin
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,895
Violent Crime Index
67
Population
268,516 ✓ Larger
Toms River
New Jersey
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,012 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
92,827
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Madison, WI
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (2.6%)
Rent averages $301/mo less ($1,291 vs $1,592)
Violent crime is well below the national average (256.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 58.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Toms River
Cons
Median income trails Toms River by $17,117/yr
Toms River, NJ
Pros
48% less violent crime than Madison
Households earn $17,117 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (134.3 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 42°F vs 28°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Madison
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher unemployment (5.7% vs 2.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Madison
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 95.8 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Madison
Median Home Value
$30k less
$326,600 vs $356,100
Madison
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
2.6% vs 5.7% unemployment
Toms River
Median Income
$17,117
$92,012 vs $74,895/yr
Toms River
Violent Crime
48% lower
134.3 vs 256.0 per 100k
Toms River
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 85.5°F vs 82.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Madison, WI | Toms River, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.8 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $326,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $356,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,291 ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,895 | $92,012 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.6% ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 15.3% ✓ Higher | 11.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 76 | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 67 | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 89 | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (124) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 58.9% ✓ Higher | 34.4% |
| High School or Higher | 95.5% ✓ Higher | 93.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Madison Metropolitan School District | Toms River Regional School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 27.7°F | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.2°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.5" ✓ Drier | 52.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.5" | 23.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 268,516 ✓ Larger | 92,827 |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 80.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.2% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Madison's cost of living index is 95.8 vs Toms River's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Madison is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Madison leads 12 of 23 categories. Madison wins 12 and Toms River wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Madison to Toms River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($326,600 vs $356,100 median home), income ($74,895 vs $92,012), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Madison, WI and Toms River, NJ are about 815 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.