Living in Madison, WI
Madison is the 77th-largest city in the US, home to about 286,000 people in 2025 and the capital of Wisconsin. It has grown 4.2% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (97.3 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 286,233+4.2% since 2020
- Median home value
- $372,9004.8 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,413/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $78,050median, per year
- Price level
- 97.3US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 27° / 82°lows 12° / 62°
- Average commute
- 19 min21% work from home
- State income tax
- 7.65%top rate, graduated
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County: Dane County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 876 ft
Metro area: Madison, WI
Cost of living in Madison
The median home in Madison is worth $372,900 and the median household earns $78,050 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.8 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,413 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Madison, WI metro area at 97.3, with housing at 99.7 and goods at 93.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $73,000 here. Wisconsin taxes wages at a top rate of 7.65%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Wisconsin is 5.72%.
What would my salary be worth in Madison?
Madison weather
Average highs run from 27°F in January to 82°F in July, and January nights average 12°F. It gets 37 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 52 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 147 times a year. The most comfortable months are May and August to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Madison
People and work
The median resident is 31.8 years old, and 60% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 46% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 19 minutes; 20% of workers work from home and 5% take public transit.
- Median age
- 31.851st youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 60%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 46%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,42383.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 5%8% walk, 2.9% bike
- Unemployment
- 2.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 16.4%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1980median year
Who moves to Madison, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Chicago (Cook County), Minneapolis (Hennepin County) and Green Bay (Brown County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Chicago (Cook County), Minneapolis (Hennepin County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Dane County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: cold wave, tornado, inland flooding, winter weather.
Home prices
+4.9% in a year
Up 49% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Madison, WI area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
66% good days
7 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Madison, WI area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Madison
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison
- Edgewood University in Madison
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Madison
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Dane County Regional Airport MSN | 6 mi | 1,156,399 |
| Chicago Rockford International Airport RFD | 63 mi | 132,154 |
| Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport MKE | 78 mi | 3,104,054 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Madison
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | in town | 36,902 | $16,600 | 90% |
| Edgewood University | in town | 1,107 | $28,487 | 61% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Madison
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before May 1, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around September 29 and the first frost comes around October 10.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Madison Dane Regional Airport, WI, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Madison.
Wildfire smoke in Madison
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Madison on about 132 days a year, including about 38 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Madison
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 128,261 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Madison
Downtown Madison is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Metropolitan School District | Pre-K to 12 | 25,155 | 54 | 11.6 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Sun Prairie Area School District (8,596 students), Middleton-Cross Plains School District (7,167 students), McFarland School District (5,921 students), Verona Area School District (5,796 students), Waunakee Community School District (4,415 students), DeForest Area School District (4,246 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Madison's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Madison's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Farmington Hills, MI80% matchCompare
- Ithaca, NY75% matchCompare
- Troy, MI75% matchCompare
- Rochester Hills, MI75% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Madison
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Madison
- Tyrol Basin 18 miles
- Devil's Head Resort 26 miles
- Cascade Mountain 30 miles
- Alpine Valley Resort 55 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Madison
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Commutes are short: 19 minutes each way on average.
- Data A highly educated city: 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 52 inches a year.
Madison report card from locals
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Madison through locals' eyes
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Cities near Madison
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL | 56 mi | 147,384 | $129,000 | 92.2 | Compare |
| Milwaukee, WI | 75 mi | 562,407 | $184,000 | 96.9 | Compare |
| Racine, WI | 86 mi | 77,908 | $166,500 | 96.0 | Compare |
| Kenosha, WI | 87 mi | 99,239 | $225,200 | 101.1 | Compare |
| Elgin, IL | 91 mi | 115,476 | $273,000 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Waukegan, IL | 93 mi | 87,940 | $190,900 | 103.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Madison with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Madison a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Madison side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Madison?
The Census Bureau estimates Madison had 286,233 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 274,640 in April 2020 (+4.2%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Madison?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $73,000 in the Madison area. The median household here earns $78,050.
When is the best time to visit Madison?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May and August to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 82°F and January 27°F for daytime highs.
What county is Madison in?
Madison is in Dane County, Wisconsin. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Madison in?
Madison is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Madison?
About 876 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Wisconsin have a state income tax?
Yes. Wisconsin has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 7.65% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Madison. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Madison, WI metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Madison Dane Regional Airport, WI station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.