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Madison, Wisconsin Retirement Guide
mild summerswalkable neighborhoodslow crime rate
46
Retirement Score
Madison, Wisconsin at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $358,500
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension income generally taxable.
- Avg January Low
- 12.9°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 92.4 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- mild summers, walkable neighborhoods, low crime rate
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 46 / 100
Things to Consider
- higher state tax burden
- limited healthcare options
- harsh winters
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
92.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$358,500High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,260High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension income generally taxable.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
21.9 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
83 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
21.9 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
81.7°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
12.9°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
34.6"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
262 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
88.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
21.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
268,516High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
31.6High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
12.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$74,895High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
47.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
4.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
58.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
16.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
74.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
7.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
7.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
8.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Madison using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$777
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$872
Median home price used: $358,500
Median rent reference: $1,260 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.