Is Madison expensive to live in?

Madison is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,219 per month ranks #35 of 112 and is 13% higher than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Madison?

Average rent in Madison, WI runs a studio around $1,018, a one-bedroom around $1,219, a two-bedroom around $1,432, a three-bedroom around $1,766 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Madison?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,219 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year. The median household income here is $76,983.

How much does it cost to live in Madison per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Madison is about $1,410 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Madison, WI

Population 275,568 · Wisconsin

~$1,410/mo est.1BR $1,219Home $346,900

Photo: Josh Sorenson / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Madison, WI is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,219 a month — 13% higher than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,018 and two-bedrooms $1,432.

Median household income here is $76,983, 11% higher than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,410 before food and transport. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,219

Studio

$1,018

1 Bedroom

$1,219

2 Bedroom

$1,432

3 Bedroom

$1,766

Buying a Home$346,900

Median Home Value

$346,900

Income$76,983

Median Household Income

$76,983

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$58,080

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities19.7¢/kWh

Electricity

19.7¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$11.79/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (WI)5% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 7.65%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime259.5 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

259.5

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,884.5

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Madison Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 31.8 yrs

Median Age

31.8 yrs

Homeownership

46.6%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

59.2%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Climate46.5°F

Avg Annual Temperature

46.5°F

Annual Precipitation

34.5 in

Madison cost of living — FAQ

Is Madison expensive to live in?: Madison is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,219 per month ranks #35 of 112 and is 13% higher than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Madison?: Average rent in Madison, WI runs a studio around $1,018, a one-bedroom around $1,219, a two-bedroom around $1,432, a three-bedroom around $1,766 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Madison?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,219 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year. The median household income here is $76,983.
How much does it cost to live in Madison per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Madison is about $1,410 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Madison with nearby cities

Madison vs Milwaukee Madison vs Aurora Madison vs Naperville Madison vs Green Bay Madison vs Chicago Madison vs Rochester

Nearby cities

Milwaukee, WI 75 mi Aurora, IL 106 mi Naperville, IL 111 mi Green Bay, WI 121 mi Chicago, IL 122 mi Rochester, MN 167 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.