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What’s it like to live in Madison, WI?
Against a backdrop of high-tech businesses and acclaimed academic institutions, Madison, Wisconsin, exudes the casual, down-to-earth feel you'd expect in the capital of America's Dairyland. On a given night, Madisonians can dine on food prepared by award-winning chefs and take in performances by national and international musicians and actors. The following day, Madisonians can buy produce, meats and baked goods at the Dane County Farmers Market, often grabbing breakfast and coffee or hot spots like Marigold Kitchen and Michelangelo's Coffee House.
A hotbed of the health care, information technology and manufacturing industries, Madison has steadily welcomed new residents over the past decade and is growing to accommodate and entertain these transplants. Developers are quickly erecting mixed-use luxury housing with ground floors occupied by trendy restaurants and coffee shops. Madison's options for fine dining, microbrews and craft cocktails are constantly expanding.
As in New York City, it is somewhat rare to encounter a native Madisonian. Some who have relocated attended UW-Madison and never left. Others relocated to Madison for work. Nevertheless, the small-town vibe of Madison shines through.
What is there to do in Madison, WI?
Madison's rich arts and food scenes impress even the most cosmopolitan newcomers. World-class performers and speakers regularly cycle through the region. Meanwhile, Madison appeals to foodies, with its locally produced cheese and local beer from a growing legion of microbreweries and gastropubs, such as The Great Dane and Ale Asylum.
Drinks and dining are a consistent source of conversation with friendly Madisonians, as is sports, especially if the conversation revolves around the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Division I basketball team, the Wisconsin Badgers.
During the summer, Madison's lakes draw boaters, canoers, kayakers, sailors, swimmers and stand-up paddleboarders. Even more lakes and state parks await within driving distance. Regional bike paths wind outward in all directions for those up for a trek outside the metro area.
What’s the cost of living in Madison, WI?
The cost of living in Madison is higher than both the state and national averages. The median sale price for a home in Madison is slightly higher than that of the country. However, Madison is much more affordable compared with other Midwest regions, such as Chicago.
Best Local Services in Madison:
Madison offers a lower value than similarly sized metro areas when you compare housing costs to median household income.
Housing Costs 2022
- National Average
- $383,883
- Madison, WI
- $398,096
Housing Costs Over Time
Data sourced from Zillow median home sale price data series. Additional data provided by the Austin Board of Realtors, Houston Association of Realtors, Intermountain MLS, Omaha Area Board of Realtors, San Antonio Board of Realtors, and the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. Due to differences within the data source, home prices are not comparable across metro areas.
Buying or selling a home?
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What’s the weather like in Madison, WI?
During the summer, Madison residents waste no time taking advantage of outdoor recreation opportunities, such as jogging and boating. Residents are no strangers to single-digit temperatures during the winter. Ever pragmatic, Madisonians take to the frozen lakes for ice fishing, skating and hockey. Parks and golf courses transition to cross-country skiing trails in the winter.
Average Seasonal Temperature (°F)
- WINTER
- 21.6°
- FALL
- 48.7°
- SPRING
- 46°
- SUMMER
- 69.2°
Average Seasonal Rainfall (in)
- WINTER
- 1.7"
- FALL
- 3.1"
- SPRING
- 3.6"
- SUMMER
- 4.5"
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center.
Monthly High and Low Temperature (°F)
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center.
What's the best way to get around Madison, WI?
Madisonians who live near the city center often prefer to walk and bike when possible, which is easy in the region's pedestrian- and cycle-friendly downtown. Those who live outside the city proper usually commute by car.
The hub of Madison's extensive bus system is the UW Campus/Capitol area, but routes cover most of the region. The region runs separate bus routes for public school students. Ample routes and buses are available during rush hour, but riders can be left waiting during off-hours and the weekend.
Dane County Regional Airport is just a 20-minute drive from downtown and offers nonstop service to more than a dozen larger domestic hubs, including New York City, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago. The city is also serviced by intercity charter buses.
Madisonians who live near the city center often prefer to walk and bike when possible, which is easy in the region's pedestrian- and cycle-friendly downtown. Those who live outside the city proper usually commute by car.
The hub of Madison's extensive bus system is the UW Campus/Capitol area, but routes cover most of the region. The region runs separate bus routes for public school students. Ample routes and buses are available during rush hour, but riders can be left waiting during off-hours and the weekend.
Dane County Regional Airport is just a 20-minute drive from downtown and offers nonstop service to more than a dozen larger domestic hubs, including New York City, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago. The city is also serviced by intercity charter buses.
Commuting in Madison, WI
- Average Commute Time
- 21.9 minutes
4.9 minutes less than national average.
81.8%
4.2%
2.5%
0.5%
Driving
Public Transit
Walking
Bicycling
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Who lives in Madison, WI?
Young professionals and families and UW-Madison students and retirees appreciate the relaxed lifestyle Madison offers. Although it is a highly educated region, the poverty rate is nearly 20%.
Home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Edgewood Collegeand Madison Area Technical College, Madison is among the most educated metro areas in the country. More than 95% of residents older than 25 have graduated from high school. But among grade school children, the racial education gap is quite large.
A little less than half the population affiliates with a religion, and the most significant chunk of this population identifies with Catholicism.
Age Distribution
Marital Status Breakdown
About the same number of single people in Madison as national average.
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Marital Status Breakdown
About the same number of single people in Madison as national average.
Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.