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 Madison Metropolitan School District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
95.9
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
93.8
metro-area
#27 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.46
metro-area
#104 of 200 metros
Median household income
$74,895
local
#2003 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$41,464
local
#1982 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
36.9 years
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
49.3%
metro-area
#12 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
7.6%
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
60.8%
metro-area
#167 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.58%
local
#275 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+7.9%
local
#881 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$326,600
local
#1574 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.4×
local
#2012 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.7%
metro-area
#65 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$192
local
#1726 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,291
local
#1208 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,923
Median days on market
8
metro-area
#29 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.9%
state
#134 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
5.43%
state
#7 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
7.65%
Capital gains tax
7.65%
state
#156 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.92%
local
#2733 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$6,254
local
#2531 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
80.5 years
metro-area
#15 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
4.8%
metro-area
#15 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
115
metro-area
#9 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$13,000
state
#131 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$85
state
#68 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
3
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#193 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
67.4%
metro-area
#27 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
26.6%
metro-area
#52 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
19.2¢/kWh
state
#126 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$173
state
#126 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$72
state
#100 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$42
state
#3 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$85
state
#178 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
87.8 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#82 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 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)
42
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
600
metro-area
#14 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
92%
state
#105 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
7,200
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
6
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
8°F
metro-area
#193 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
34.6"
metro-area
#58 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
48.7"
metro-area
#166 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
54%
metro-area
#161 of 200 metros
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 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,600
state
#37 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
19
metro-area
#174 of 200 metros
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 metros
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.