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City guide · Wisconsin

Moving to Madison, WI

UW, capitol, lakes, progressive.

Pop. 270kCost index 96.0 · 100 = US avgMedian rent $1,500/moMedian home $380kWalk score 50

Madison (metro area) has an overall price level 96.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
96.0
Housing index
79.3
Groceries index (modeled)
99.0
Utilities index (modeled)
99.4
Electricity rate
18.8 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
99.2
Median home value (est.)
$380,000
Median monthly rent (est.)
$1,500/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

Wisconsin unemployment is 3.5% with median household income $77k.

Unemployment rate
3.5%
Median household income
$77,488
Per-capita income
$43,361
Labor-force participation
65.4%
Right-to-work state
Yes
Nurse Licensure Compact
Member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) city-level

Madison: median home value $380,000.

Home value
$380,000
Rent
$1,500/mo
Homeownership rate
68.0%
Natural-hazard risk (FEMA county avg)
59/100
Hurricane exposure
Low
Wildfire exposure
Low
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Low

Wisconsin 4th-grade math proficiency: 42.1% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
42.1%
Per-pupil spending
$13,466
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
16
Public 4-yr grad rate
56.0%
Notable universities
Public flagship + regional schools

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