Cost of living in Madison, WI Livability score 62 · cost-of-living index 95.9 (US = 100)
How Madison compares Where Madison falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 96 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 96 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $453k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $453k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $266 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $266 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 5.4% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 5.4% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.75% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.75% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 320 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 320 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 19.2 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 19.2 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 82° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 82° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 8° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 8° Map of Madison Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps
Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 95.9 #105 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 93.8 #27 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.46 #104 of 200 Median household income $82,996 #46 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $46,979 #27 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 2.42% #2 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +6.1% #64 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $452,769 #157 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 5.5× #139 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +2.7% #65 of 200 Price per square foot $266 #161 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,700 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,683 #114 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 1,923 Median days on market 8 #29 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 10.9% #134 of 200 Combined sales tax 5.43% #7 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 7.65% Capital gains tax 7.65% #156 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 1.75% #173 of 200 Median property tax paid $5,611 #186 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,800 #93 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $13,000 #131 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $85 #68 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) None #1 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in major metro counties DMV & license offices 3 Avg commute to work 22 min #34 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 19.2¢/kWh #126 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $173 #126 of 200 Gasoline $3.20/gal #63 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,300 #22 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,400 #18 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $600 #16 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 42 #57 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 600 #14 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 7,200 #190 of 200 Avg summer high 82°F #10 of 200 Avg winter low 8°F #193 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 5a Frost window 05-15 → 10-01
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 320 #39 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 1,600 #37 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 19 #174 of 200 Parks 52 Hiking areas 11 Golf courses 21 Shooting ranges 1 Lakes 15
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 3 #87 of 200 Permit detail Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.