Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Madison, NJ
Thinking of moving to Madison, NJ? With a population of 16,937, Madison offers a welcoming, close-knit atmosphere with exceptional schools and a highly educated community (74% hold bachelor’s degrees or higher). Expect a higher cost of living with median home prices around $786,000 and average rents at $2,100, but enjoy very low crime rates and easy commutes (about 32 minutes on average). The town’s standout features include top-rated public schools, access to major hospitals, and beautiful seasons with over 50 inches of rain and 53% sunny days annually—making Madison a charming and well-connected place to call home.
Demographics - Madison, NJ
Demographics - Madison, NJ
Madison, NJ is home to nearly 17,000 residents, offering a suburban setting with a population density of 3,400 people per square mile. The community is predominantly White, with a median age of about 40 and a healthy mix of families and professionals. Around 12.5% of residents speak a language other than English, adding to the area’s cultural diversity.
Population:
16,937
Density:
3,400 per sq mi
Median Age:
39.7
Gender Ratio:
94 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
12.5%

Ethnic Composition
White:
83.1%
Black:
2.7%
Asian:
6.5%
Others:
7.7%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Madison, NJ?
Living in Madison comes with a higher price tag, as reflected by the median home value of $786,000 and average rent of $2,100 per month. The cost of living index is 146.8, indicating expenses are well above the national average, especially for housing and groceries. Residents should also expect moderate utility and transportation costs, along with state income tax rates that range from 1.4% to 10.75%.
Median House Value:
$786,000
Gross Rent:
$2,100
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$140
Auto Insurance:
$1,950
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$3,090
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$1,200
State Taxes:
Low:
1.4%
|
High:
10.75%
Cost Of Living Index:
146.8
Grocery:
128.5
Housing:
174.2
Utilities:
115.2
Transportation:
132.8
Health Care:
114.9
Miscellaneous:
121.1
Crime
Is Madison, NJ a safe place to live?
Madison boasts a very low crime rate, with only 35 violent crimes and 410 property crimes per 100,000 people annually. Residents enjoy a strong sense of safety, with the chance of being a victim of violent crime at just 1 in 2,850. This makes Madison one of the more secure communities in the region.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
35
Property Crimes Per 100k:
410
Crime Index:
445
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 2,850
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 412
Weather
What is the weather like in Madison, NJ year-round?
Madison experiences all four seasons, with cold winters averaging lows around 23°F and warm summers reaching up to 85°F. The area receives about 50 inches of rainfall each year and enjoys sunshine 53% of the time. Residents can expect crisp autumns and pleasant springs, making for a picturesque climate throughout the year.

Winter
Min:
23°F
Max:
40°F

Spring
Min:
45°F
Max:
68°F

Summer
Min:
65°F
Max:
85°F

Fall
Min:
47°F
Max:
70°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
50.1 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
53%
Neighbors
Madison residents are highly educated and affluent, with a median household income of $151,380 and a poverty rate of just 3.7%. The community is family-friendly, boasts a 97.5% high school graduation rate, and has a relatively low unemployment rate of 3.2%. Daily life is enhanced by good public transport options and an average commute time of 32 minutes.
Median Income:
$62,800
Household Income:
$151,380
Family Income:
$180,250
Per Capita Income:
$62,800
Income Male:
$86,300
Income Female:
$67,100
Poverty Rate:
3.7%
Non English Speakers:
12.5%
Rent:
$2,100
Unemployment Rate:
3.2%
Public Transport Usage:
11.2%
Commute Time:
32.4 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
97.5%
Bachelors or More:
74.2%
Education
How are the schools in Madison, NJ?
Madison stands out for its excellent schools, including top-rated public options like Madison High School and Central Avenue School, as well as private schools such as St. Vincent Martyr. Higher education opportunities are plentiful with Drew University and Fairleigh Dickinson University located locally. The area’s strong academic environment is a key draw for families and students alike.

Public Schools
Name:
Madison High School
Street:
170 Ridgedale Ave
Phone:
973-593-3117
Students:
876
Student Teacher Ratio:
11.5
Name:
Central Avenue School
Street:
50 Central Ave
Phone:
973-593-3173
Students:
434
Student Teacher Ratio:
12.8

Private Schools
Name:
St. Vincent Martyr School
Street:
26 Green Village Rd
Phone:
973-377-1104
Students:
365

Colleges
Name:
Drew University
City:
Madison
State:
NJ
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
2,200
Name:
Fairleigh Dickinson University (Florham Campus)
City:
Madison
State:
NJ
Distance:
2 miles
Students:
3,300
Healthcare
Access to healthcare in Madison is excellent, with major hospitals like Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center nearby. The area has a high concentration of physicians (3.2 per 1,000 residents) and nearly 96.4% of the population is insured. Residents benefit from quality medical care and emergency services close to home.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Morristown Medical Center
Address:
100 Madison Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone:
(973) 971-5000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Overlook Medical Center
Address:
99 Beauvoir Ave, Summit, NJ 07901
Phone:
(908) 522-2000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
96.4%
Health Care Index:
77.2
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Madison, NJ?
Madison's housing market is robust, featuring a median home price of $786,000 and an owner-occupancy rate of 72.6%. Rental vacancies are low at 3.1%, and home values have appreciated by 6.7% over the past year. With steady demand and limited new construction, the market remains competitive for both buyers and renters.
Median Home Price:
$786,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,100
Owner Occupied Rate:
72.6%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
3.1%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
6.7%
New Construction Rate:
1.0%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Madison residents are served by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, with the main office located in Trenton. Essential services such as licensing and registration are easily accessible, and information is available on the state DMV website. Support is also just a phone call away through their central helpline.
State:
New Jersey
Department:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Address:
225 E. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08666
Phone:
1-609-292-6500
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.