Madison, Wisconsin

Education excellence on the isthmus

Midwest Madison, WI Metro

Livability (2025)

#6 Top 100 Best Places to Live

WalletHub (2024)

#4 Best College Towns

WhereAtHome Score

73.1

C

out of 100

Overview

Madison combines the energy of a major university town with exceptional healthcare access and strong civic infrastructure. The city's unique isthmus location between two lakes creates distinctive neighborhoods and abundant recreational opportunities. Short commute times and high quality of life make it particularly attractive to families and academics.

Key Highlights

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison flagship campus
  • Two lakes offering year-round recreation
  • Capitol Square farmer's market (largest producer-only market in US)
  • Strong healthcare sector with UW Health and Epic Systems nearby
  • Short average commute times
  • Progressive civic culture

Key Metrics

Population 2024

269,840

Source: Census ACS

Median Home Value 2026

$432,061

Source: Zillow ZHVI

Median Household Income 2023

$76,184

Source: Census ACS

Average Commute 2023

20.1 min

Source: Census ACS

Walk Score 2025

48

Source: Walk Score

Crime Level 2024

Moderate-Low

Source: FBI CDE

School Rating

2025

A- (8.2/10)

Source: Curated

Cost of Living Index 2025

109 (100 = U.S. avg)

Source: Curated

2024 Presidential Election

Dane County (county-level results)

75%
23%
Democrat 273,995
Republican 85,454
Leans D+51.7

Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more

Climate

Summer High

82°F

Winter Low

11°F

Annual Rainfall

36"

Sunny Days

188

Amenities & Infrastructure

280+ Parks

Green spaces and recreation

4 Major Hospitals

Healthcare access

2 Universities

Higher education institutions

Public Transit Available

Bus, rail, or metro service

Major Employers

UW-Madison Epic Systems UW Health American Family Insurance

Score Breakdown

6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.

Housing Affordability 47.5/100

Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)

Income vs Housing 48.6/100

How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)

Commute Time 72.5/100

Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)

Crime 65/100

Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)

Walkability 48/100

Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)

Purchasing Power 48.3/100

Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)

WhereAtHome Score 73.1

Location

Madison, WI (43.0731, -89.4012)
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Start Comparison

Last Updated: 2026-07-01

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.

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