Moving to Madison, WI: Everything You Should Know First
Thinking of moving to Madison, WI? With a vibrant population of 273,700, Madison offers affordable living, with median home prices around $375,000 and average rents near $1,350. The city boasts a highly educated community—with over 56% holding bachelor’s degrees or higher—plus renowned schools and universities. Enjoy a short average commute of just under 20 minutes, a healthy job market, and plenty of sunny days. While property crime rates are above average, Madison’s blend of cultural vibrancy, excellent healthcare, and scenic lakeside living makes it a top Midwest destination.
Demographics - Madison, WI
Population:
273,700
Density:
3,400 per sq mi
Median Age:
31.2
Gender Ratio:
98 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
13.6%

Ethnic Composition
White:
73.5%
Black:
7.3%
Asian:
9.5%
Others:
9.7%
Cost Of Living
Median House Value:
$375,000
Gross Rent:
$1,350
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$110
Auto Insurance:
$1,250
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,950
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$625
State Taxes:
Low:
3.54%
|
High:
7.65%
Cost Of Living Index:
104.6
Grocery:
102.1
Housing:
107.0
Utilities:
97.2
Transportation:
101.6
Health Care:
102.8
Miscellaneous:
99.4
Crime
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
303
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,334
Crime Index:
2,637
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 330
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 43
Weather

Winter
Min:
12°F
Max:
29°F

Spring
Min:
38°F
Max:
61°F

Summer
Min:
61°F
Max:
83°F

Fall
Min:
40°F
Max:
63°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
37.1 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
56%
Neighbors
Median Income:
$39,700
Household Income:
$71,790
Family Income:
$102,100
Per Capita Income:
$40,500
Income Male:
$48,200
Income Female:
$43,600
Poverty Rate:
16.7%
Non English Speakers:
13.6%
Rent:
$1,350
Unemployment Rate:
2.7%
Public Transport Usage:
8.7%
Commute Time:
19.6 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
96.0%
Bachelors or More:
56.2%
Education

Public Schools
Name:
James Madison Memorial High School
Street:
201 S Gammon Rd
Phone:
608-663-5990
Students:
1,700
Student Teacher Ratio:
15.9
Name:
Shorewood Hills Elementary School
Street:
1105 Shorewood Blvd
Phone:
608-204-1200
Students:
500
Student Teacher Ratio:
12.5

Private Schools
Name:
Edgewood Campus School
Street:
829 Edgewood College Dr
Phone:
608-524-0801
Students:
330

Colleges
Name:
University of Wisconsin–Madison
City:
Madison
State:
WI
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
48,000
Name:
Madison College
City:
Madison
State:
WI
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
30,000
Healthcare

Major Hospitals
Name:
UW Health University Hospital
Address:
600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792
Phone:
(608) 263-6400
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital
Address:
700 S Park St, Madison, WI 53715
Phone:
(608) 251-6100
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
95.5%
Health Care Index:
77.4
Housing Market
Median Home Price:
$375,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,350
Owner Occupied Rate:
47.5%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.8%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
6.1%
New Construction Rate:
2.4%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
State:
Wisconsin
Department:
Wisconsin Department of Transportation – Division of Motor Vehicles
Address:
4802 Sheboygan Ave, Madison, WI 53707
Phone:
1-608-264-7447
Website: