City Guide
Madison, WI
Overview
Madison, WI is known for being the capitol of Wisconsin and for its wide range of craft beers. There are 263,332 people living in Madison, so it will have the best of small-town charm and big city living. An interesting detail is that the city is home to the world's largest Brat Fest held each year on Memorial Day weekend. Something else to note about the city is that the State capitol dome is made entirely of granite, making it the largest granite dome in the world.
What’s it like to live in Madison, WI ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in Madison, WI you'll find that the median sale price is
$439,950
and homes stay on the market for 40 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in Madison are $475,000
and $250,000
, respectively. Madison area townhouses have a median sale price of $332,500
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Madison, WIExplore our Madison housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how Madison home prices compare to other markets. Explore our Madison rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how Madison rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in Madison, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around Madison
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackhawk | $1,105,000 | 72 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Downtown Madison | $620,000 | 67 / 100 | 92 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Dudgeon-Monroe | $840,000 | 82 / 100 | 69 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| West Side | $525,000 | 80 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| North Madison | $333,000 | 71 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
Popular homes for sale in Madison
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in Madison
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
What is the cost of living in Madison?
The cost of living in Madison is 5% higher than the national average. Housing is typically the largest expense for most American households. In Madison, the average monthly rent is $1,233, while the median home price is $439,950. Overall, housing in Madison is 0% higher than the national average. Groceries, like produce, dry goods, and other essential household items, cost 1% lower in Madison. Though healthcare costs 13% higher in Madison compared to the national average, costs vary greatly by location, person, personal health, and health insurance. In Madison, an optometry check-up costs around $77.40, while a dentist appointment is $127.11 on average. Learn more about the cost of living in Madison. Discover how utilities, transportation, and lifestyle, compares against the national average.
Compared to the national average
5%
Cost of living
Cost of living calculator
Compare cities across the U.S.
Madison Migration & Relocation Trends
In Feb '25 - Apr '25, 29% of Madison homebuyers searched to move out of Madison, while 71% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 0.27% of homebuyers searched to move into Madison from outside metros.
- Chicago homebuyers searched to move into Madison more than any other metro followed by Milwaukee and Los Angeles.
Where are people moving to Madison from?
- 71% of Madison homebuyers searched to stay within the Madison metropolitan area.
- Minneapolis was the most popular destination among Madison homebuyers followed by Wausau and Cape Coral.
Where are people from Madison moving to?
Number of People Moving to Madison
least
most
People are moving to Madison from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 592 | ||
| 2 | 300 | ||
| 3 | 58 | ||
| 4 | 56 | ||
| 5 | 53 | ||
| 6 | 44 | ||
| 7 | 41 | ||
| 8 | 40 | ||
| 9 | 38 | ||
| 10 | 24 | ||
People are leaving Madison for
| Outbound | Net outflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 98 | ||
| 2 | 45 | ||
| 3 | 28 | ||
| 4 | 22 | ||
| 5 | 22 | ||
| 6 | 21 | ||
| 7 | 20 | ||
| 8 | 19 | ||
| 9 | 18 | ||
| 10 | 17 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in Madison, WI ?
If you're living in Madison, WI, you might be contemplating what to do in your free time. From nature parks to stellar restaurants and an arts and culture scene, there's plenty to do in this city. Madison is known for its popular museums such as Madison Children's Museum, Chazen Museum Of Art, and Wisconsin Historical Museum. There's a rich arts and culture scene, with performing arts venues like Overture Center For The Arts and Majestic Theatre. There are plenty of green spaces to be found throughout Madison. For example, you can enjoy a picnic or run through many parks, like Henry Vilas Park, Tenney Park, or James Madison Park. You'll find plenty of restaurants and up-and-coming eateries throughout Madison. Make sure you grab a bite to eat at Swagat Indian Restaurant, The Melting Pot Restaurants, and Bandung Indonesian Restaurant for a small taste of what this city has to offer.
Explore some of the best things to do in Madison
What's the best way to get around Madison, WI ?
The best way to get around Madison is by car, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, Madison has a walk score of 50, meaning this area is car dependent. Another way to get around the city is by public transportation. Madison has a transit score of 35, with a few nearby public transportation options. Most bus stations and rail stations are located in 53703, 53719 and 53706. You can also get around Madison by bike. With a bike score of 66, there is some amount of infrastructure for biking.
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit Score®
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Madison Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
Madison has 1 heavy rail station; Wisconsin & Southern Railroad. This means you might be able to use heavy rail to commute or travel, depending on where you live and where you want to go.
Tram Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 19 car rental locations. Renting a bike is another good way to get around. There are 2 bike rental locations.
Airports
Madison has 3 airports which allows you to easily travel.
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