Living in Madison, Wisconsin
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Madison · Census data 2020–2024
Madison has 278,001 residents with a median age of 31.8. The median household income is $78,050 (about the same as the Wisconsin median), the median home value is $372,900, the median rent is $1,413/month.
Madison at a glance
- Population
- 278,001
- Median age
- 31.8State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $78,050State: $77,485
- Median home value
- $372,900State: $266,500
- Median rent
- $1,413/moState: $1,087
- Homeowners
- 46%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 59.9%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Madison a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income about the same as the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 2.7%.
Cons: Home values 40% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 16.4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Madison
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Madison the median home value is $372,900, 12% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,413 per month, which is 30.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,098 a month in housing costs.
Madison median household income
The median household income in Madison is $78,050 and the income per person is $49,425. 16.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Wisconsin: 10.6%).
Housing in Madison: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 133,530
- Owner-occupied
- 46%
- Renter-occupied
- 54%
- Vacant
- 3.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1980
- Average household size
- 2.06
Madison demographics
- Population
- 278,001
- Median age
- 31.8
- Under 18
- 16.1%
- 65 and older
- 13%
- Households
- 128,261
- Foreign-born
- 11.6%
- Veterans
- 3.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Madison ›
Education in Madison
59.9% of adults 25 and older in Madison have a bachelor's degree or higher (Wisconsin: 33.4%), and 25.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Madison
- Unemployment rate
- 2.7%State: 3.2%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 22 min
- Work from home
- 20.5%
- Drive alone
- 56.7%
- Public transit
- 5.3%
- Walk to work
- 7.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.3%
Madison vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 278,001 | $78,050 | $372,900 | $1,413 |
| Shorewood Hills | 2,149 | $153,542 | $939,900 | $1,919 |
| Maple Bluff | 1,329 | $198,750 | $882,700 | $1,438 |
| Middleton | 22,301 | $89,524 | $484,200 | $1,437 |
| Monona | 8,527 | $87,773 | $427,900 | $1,275 |
| Waunakee | 15,687 | $125,220 | $515,900 | $1,324 |
| Fitchburg | 32,619 | $86,516 | $417,200 | $1,373 |
| Verona | 15,232 | $119,606 | $420,400 | $1,605 |
| McFarland | 9,160 | $97,500 | $390,100 | $1,458 |
More for people moving to Madison
Madison ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Madison: FAQ
What is the median household income in Madison, WI?
The median household income in Madison is $78,050, about the same as the Wisconsin median of $77,485 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Madison?
The median home value in Madison is $372,900, compared with $266,500 in Wisconsin.
How much is rent in Madison?
The median gross rent in Madison is $1,413 per month, about 30.1% of household income.
Is Madison, WI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income about the same as the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 2.7%. Minuses: home values 40% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 16.4%.
What is the median age in Madison?
The median age in Madison is 31.8 years (Wisconsin: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Madison?
The average commute to work in Madison is 19 minutes; 20.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Madison?
The unemployment rate in Madison is 2.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Madison?
59.9% of adults in Madison have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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