Housing
Home prices and rent in Madison
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with Wisconsin and the U.S.
Census geography: Madison city, Wisconsin. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
Madison vs. Wisconsin and the U.S.
| Madison | Wisconsin | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $372,900 | $266,500 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,413 | $1,087 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $78,050 | $77,485 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 46% | 68% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1980 | 1975 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $211,600 | $246,300 | $372,900 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $922 | $1,118 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $53,933 | $65,332 | $78,050 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
Madison, WI HUD Metro FMR Area · Dane County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $135,300. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $74,800 | $85,450 | $96,150 | $106,800 | $115,350 | $123,900 | $132,450 | $141,000 |
| Very low income (50%) | $47,400 | $54,150 | $60,900 | $67,650 | $73,100 | $78,500 | $83,900 | $89,300 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $28,450 | $32,500 | $36,550 | $40,600 | $43,850 | $47,100 | $50,350 | $55,720 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 9, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in Madison?
$372,900, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $266,500 in Wisconsin and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in Madison?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,413 a month, versus $1,087 statewide.
How much have home values risen in Madison?
The median home value went from $211,600 in 2014 to $372,900 in 2024 (+76%).
What is fair market rent in Madison?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the Madison, WI HUD Metro FMR Area is $1,196 for a studio, $1,375 for one bedroom and $1,565 for two bedrooms. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), Madison city, Wisconsin. Values are estimates with margins of error.