2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Highlands, NC vs Madison, WI

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Highlights
Are people in Madison older or younger than people in Highlands?
- The Median Age in Madison is 28.7 years younger than in Highlands.

Are housing costs cheaper in Madison or Highlands?
- Madison housing costs are 57.5% less expensive than Highlands housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Madison or Highlands?
- The average commute for residents of Madison is 1.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Highlands.

Things to do in Highlands?
Living in Highlands, NC is an absolute dream. With its charming downtown area and breathtaking mountain views, it's easy to see why so many people choose to call this small town home. The community is incredibly welcoming and it's not hard to make friends or find a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. There are plenty of outdoor activities perfect for all ages, from hiking trails that offer stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to picturesque lakes for fishing and swimming. Residents also enjoy a range of excellent restaurants, boutique shops, galleries, and festivals throughout the year. All in all, Highlands is a wonderful place to call home!

Things to do in Madison?
Madison, Wisconsin is a vibrant city with a unique mix of culture and history. Take a stroll through State Street and explore the city's many art galleries, bookstores and some of the best restaurants in the Midwest. Visit University of Wisconsin-Madison for some stunning architecture and inspiring scientific research, or take in an outdoor concert at Breese Stevens Field. With its beautiful lakeshore backdrop, lively farmers markets, and incredible cultural events,Madison is an ideal place to live and visit!

 Highlands, NCMadison, WIUnited States
 Population  Unlock265,447329,725,481
 Median Income$52,070  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock31.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$794,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.36  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Highlands    4 Reviews

Love BestPlaces, but most of their statistics are incorrect for the actual town of Highlands which is extremely expensive. I assume they are using information from Macon  More

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Over 4 years ago

This used to be a quaint, quiet, sweet little town, but it has ballooned into a rich man's Mecca. Fist of all, it's a tiny town... so parking is at a premium and it gets  More

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Over 14 years ago

I have run two businesses in Highlands. It is a very seasonal business trend. The rents are high and so is the cost of doing business, including labor cost, cost of  More

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Reviews for Madison    78 Reviews

Unfortunately, a number of these reviews are politically based. Madison remains the only shining star in Wisconsin’s economy. The economy is broadly based, with  More

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Have been living in Madison for almost 3 years. It’s very safe, ppl generally friendly and for a town of its size it has fair number of good restaurants and interesting  More

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Lacks balance and zero accountability.   More

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