Cost of Living in Madison, Wisconsin
In Madison, the median household income is $78,050 and the median gross rent is $1,413/mo, with a median home value of $372,900. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $78,050
- Median gross rent
- $1,413/mo
- Median home value
- $372,900
- Population
- 278,001
How Madison compares to the Wisconsin average
| Measure | Madison, WI | Wisconsin statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,050 | $77,485 | +0.7% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,413 | $1,087 | +30.0% |
| Median home value | $372,900 | $266,500 | +39.9% |
Statewide, Wisconsin prices average 94.1 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Madison
- Salary needed for median rent
- $56,520
- Rent burden at median income
- 21.7%
- Est. affordable home price
- $284,721
So that $1,413/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Madison is $372,900 — +31.0% above what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other Wisconsin cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.