Rows tagged local are specific to Madison (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Jackson, MS. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district Madison Co School Dist · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
89.8
metro-area
#26 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.4
metro-area
#50 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.11
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Median household income
$124,575
local
#535 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$60,367
local
#604 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
38.1 years
metro-area
#88 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
31.6%
metro-area
#116 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
2.6%
metro-area
#193 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
67.5%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.69%
local
#317 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+8.9%
local
#790 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$312,800
local
#1481 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.5×
local
#244 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.4%
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$153
local
#1233 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,050 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,744
local
#2248 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,256
Median days on market
20
metro-area
#114 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.8%
state
#78 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.07%
state
#86 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.40%
Capital gains tax
4.70%
state
#105 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.78%
local
#998 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,431
local
#909 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
73.1 years
metro-area
#187 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,300
state
#17 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
12.0%
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
76
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$6,000
state
#1 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$60
state
#19 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
3.42% of value (~$958/yr)
state
#195 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
24 min
local
#905 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
80.3%
metro-area
#179 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
34.5%
metro-area
#126 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
16.8¢/kWh
state
#88 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$151
state
#88 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$2.90/gal
state
#1 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$58
state
#58 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$93
state
#86 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$75
state
#16 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$3,100
state
#157 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#86 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
82.5 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#45 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#152 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
48
metro-area
#117 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
2,600
metro-area
#156 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
93%
state
#87 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,000
metro-area
#44 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
63
metro-area
#142 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
3
metro-area
#158 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
92°F
metro-area
#163 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
38°F
metro-area
#46 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
54.9"
metro-area
#182 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
2.7"
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
64%
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
8b
Frost window
02-25 → 12-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
280
state
#21 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,200
state
#98 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
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.