Rows tagged local are specific to Madison (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Madison, WI. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district 5508520 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
95.9
metro-area
#105 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
93.8
metro-area
#27 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.46
metro-area
#104 of 200
Median household income
$74,895
local
#46 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$41,464
local
#27 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.58%
local
#2 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+7.9%
local
#64 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$326,600
local
#157 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.4×
local
#139 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+2.7%
metro-area
#65 of 200
Price per square foot
$192
local
#161 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,291
local
#114 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,923
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.9%
state
#134 of 200
Combined sales tax
5.43%
state
#7 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
7.65%
Capital gains tax
7.65%
state
#156 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.92%
local
#173 of 200
Median property tax paid
$6,254
local
#186 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$13,000
state
#131 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$85
state
#68 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
3
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#34 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
19.2¢/kWh
state
#126 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$173
state
#126 of 200
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#100 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$42
state
#3 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$85
state
#178 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
42
metro-area
#57 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
600
metro-area
#14 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
7,200
metro-area
#190 of 200
Avg summer high
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200
Avg winter low
8°F
metro-area
#193 of 200
Annual precipitation
34.6"
metro-area
#58 of 200
Annual snowfall
48.7"
metro-area
#166 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
54%
metro-area
#161 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
5a
Frost window
05-15 → 10-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
320
state
#39 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,600
state
#37 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
19
metro-area
#174 of 200
Parks
52
Hiking areas
11
Golf courses
21
Shooting ranges
1
Lakes
15
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#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.