Madison, Wisconsin
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Madison.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Madison?
Madison, WI has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 108 (near the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $346,900 and median rent about $1,364, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $76,983. Typical commute is 20 minutes; summer highs average 80°F. Violent-offense rates run about 359.8 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 108U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $346,900U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,364U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $76,983U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 2.9%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 359.8per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 80°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Madison compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 285,300City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $76,983Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 108ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year8% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $346,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year14% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,364City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 2.9%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5011% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 359.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)39% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2474.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)20% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 80°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 15°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 37.1 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 239As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals11% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Madison grew 22.1% from 233,730 in 2010 to 285,300 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Madison expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Madison runs 8 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 108 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $346,900 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,364 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Madison?
Budget first around $1,364/month rent or $346,900 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $346,900
- Median rent $1,364/month
- Median household income $76,983
What is the job market like in Madison?
Labor-market context for Madison: unemployment 2.9% and median income $76,983. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 2.9% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $76,983
How long is the typical commute in Madison?
Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way in Madison. Walk Score estimates around 50 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 50/100
Is Madison safer than similar U.S. cities?
Madison's FBI-derived violent rate (~359.8/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 359.8 per 100k
- Property 2474.1 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Madison?
Madison's climate profile: 80°F summer peaks, 15°F winter mornings, 37.1" annual rainfall, and 239 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 80°F
- Winter low 15°F
- 37.1 in rain · 239 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Madison, Wisconsin will find roughly 285,300 residents within city limits. Median household income is roughly $76,983, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 108 — close to the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Budget for median rents around $1,364 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Madison is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Madison with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Lake-effect cold and dairy/manufacturing employment still shape daily life. Winter lows around 15°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 50. A recent county unemployment reading near 2.9% suggests a relatively tight local labor market. Violent-offense rates around 359.8 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Madison city, 1600000US5548000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Dane County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014837 MADISON DANE RGNL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10