Madison, WI, USA
Editor
March 12, 2023
Madison, Wisconsin is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant and exciting city to explore. With a population of over 250,000, Madison is the second largest city in the state of Wisconsin and is home to a diverse range of cultures, activities, and attractions. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, excellent restaurants, and a wide variety of outdoor activities. Madison is also home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of the top universities in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Madison has a median household income of $60,879, which is higher than the national average. Additionally, the cost of living in Madison is lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live. Madison also has a strong job market, with the unemployment rate at just 3.2%, which is lower than the national average. With its vibrant culture, excellent job opportunities, and affordable cost of living, Madison is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a place to call home.
Living in Madison, WI, USA: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
65%
Quality of life -
59%
Cost of living -
72%
Connectivity -
52%
Weather
62
General
| Currency | USD |
| Population (in millions) | 0.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | Unranked |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 8% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Downtown, Madison East |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 30 |
| Top selling local beer | Spotted Cow |
| Most popular local dish | Bratwurst |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | State Capitol, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Monona Terrace |
| Discount airline | Southwest |
| Major airline | American Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Lyft |
| Primary train stations | Madison Station, East Towne Station, and Monona Station |
| Primary airports | Dane County Regional, Middleton Municipal, and Morey Field |
| Best rental car company | Enterprise Rent-A-Car |
| Used car costs | 15000 USD |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Hilldale Shopping Center, 702 Hilldale Way, Madison, WI 53705 |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | NEMA 5-15 |
| Supply voltage | 120V |
| Best electronics store | Best Buy |
| Best internet carrier | Spectrum |
| Primary cellular carrier | Verizon |
| Average monthly cost for internet | $60.00 |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Walgreens |
| Best restaurant chain | The Old Fashioned |
| The best grocery store | Woodman's |
| The most popular fashion brand | Nordstrom |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $60,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $50,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 5.5% |
| Income tax rate | There is no single income tax rate in Madison. The rate depends on the individual's income level and filing status |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | Madison does not have a tourist visa requirement |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 3.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | The amount of money you should take out from an ATM in Madison will depend on your individual needs |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | U.S. Bank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15-20% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Less common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 911 (general), 608-255-2345 (police), 608-255-2345 (ambulance), 608-255-2345 ( |
| Polution per square meter | 1,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | Not available |
| Main religion | Christianity |
Quality of life
65%
-
66%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
61%
Property to income -
34%
Crime -
76%
Healthcare -
52%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $3,318 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 5.31% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | $1,612 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | $12,783 |
Cost of living
59%
-
Purchasing Power
100%
-
Rent
44%
-
Food
71%
-
Restaurant
68%
-
Workspace
23%
-
Transport
27%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | $1,540.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | $1,216.78 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | $2,943.75 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | $1,975.00 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | $13.33 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | $0.91 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $4.12 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $4.42 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $11.37 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | $2.35 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $12.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $2.47 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $2.81 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | $10.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | $14.39 |
| Apples (1kg) | $3.80 |
| Oranges (1kg) | $3.40 |
| Potato (1kg) | $2.53 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $1.76 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | $5.43 |
| Tomato (1kg) | $3.34 |
| Banana (1kg) | $1.21 |
| Onion (1kg) | $2.20 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | $15.43 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $14.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | $75.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | $9.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | $5.50 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $6.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | $1.94 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | $1.50 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $4.55 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | $185.71 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | $0.29 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $68.69 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $49.58 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | $13.33 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | $12.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | $2.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | $65.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $0.97 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | $22,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | $22,986.25 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | $4.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | $1.62 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | $49.50 |