Madison, WI Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Madison, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
in-content-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Madison, Wisconsin is home to roughly 268,516 residents. The typical household earns $74,895 per year — roughly in line with the median across cities we track (+4%).
Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating here. The median home value sits at $326,600 (roughly in line with the multi-city median at +0%), while renters pay a median of $1,291 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.
Cost of housing in Madison
Median home value is $326,600 and median gross rent is $1,291/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
Walkability & transit
Walkability data (Walk Score) will appear here once enrichment is run for Madison.
Climate & home insurance
Climate and flood-risk data (FEMA National Risk Index) will appear here once enrichment is run. Home insurance costs vary widely by region and risk profile.
in-content-mid (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Moving to Madison
Planning a move to Madison? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Madison, WI?
- In Madison, the median home value is $326,600 and median rent is $1,291 per month, against a median household income of $74,895. These figures come from the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Madison?
- A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $1,291/month, that implies an income of about $51,640 to keep housing affordable in Madison.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Madison?
- With a median home value of $326,600 and median rent of $1,291/month, the buy-vs-rent decision in Madison depends on how long you plan to stay, current mortgage rates, and your down payment. Compare monthly mortgage estimates against the rent figure above.