City profile
Madison, WI
Lakes-and-capitol college city with great healthcare, bike paths and farmers markets.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
20°F
Summer avg
72°F
Sunny days / yr
190
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$400,000
Typical monthly housing
$2,709
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
106
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.51%
- State income tax (top)
- 7.65%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 5.72%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 94/100
Top hazards: Cold wave, Hail, Tornado
Nearest major airport
76 mi to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 75% Democratic / 23% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
278,001
Growth since 2019
+9.0%
Median age
31.8
Residents 65+
13.3%
Median household income
$78,050
Income growth since 2019
+19.5%
Black household income
$45,888
Home ownership
46.0%
Poverty rate
16.4%
Poverty rate, 65+
7.2%
Race & ethnicity: Black 7.2% · White 69.6% · Hispanic 9.4% · Asian 8.0% · Other 5.9%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
214 · 35% below the national average
Property crime
1,882 · 21% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Madison Police Department. State average: violent 245, property 1,033.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: winter storms
Highlights
- UW Health
- Lakes and bike paths
- Lively downtown
Trade-offs
- Cold winters
- High property taxes
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.