What Salary Do You Need to Live in Madison, WI?

To live comfortably in Madison, a household needs to earn roughly $65,000/year. That's about $5,417/month before taxes.

The Number: $65,000/year

At $65,000 per year, a household in Madison can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Madison's median monthly rent of $1,484 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Madison at a Glance

Median rent$1,484/mo
Median home price$418,400
Median household income$79,254
State income taxUp to 7.65%
Sales tax5.5%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Madison on roughly $40,000/year. That's about $3,333/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Madison

The median monthly rent is $1,484. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $59,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $418,400. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $83,680 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $79,254/year. Our recommended salary of $65,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.