Madison 61 Average
Madison Livability #863 ranked city in Illinois#16,377 ranked city in the USARanks better than 44% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Madison

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

  • Schools

    Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.

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What's it like Living in Madison?

Located in the state of Illinois, Madison is a smaller city with a population of 2,941 people. Individuals of White (45%) and Black or African American (51%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 30% of the Madison population is married. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Madison, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 23 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Madison could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Madison and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, commute, health & safety, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.

Madison has a livability score of 60 out of 100 and is ranked #836 in Illinois and #17,093 in the USA. This is a poor rating when compared to the average of other places in the country. If we check out each of the categories individually, we see that Madison ranks well for crime (B-). Madison does not score well for the following: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Achieving a cost-effective lifestyle can be pivotal in managing your monthly expenditures, especially given the ongoing upward trajectory of everday goods and housing prices. In Madison, residents are fortunate to experience a cost of living that is 24.13% below the national average. This advantageous positioning extends its impact to a wide spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also transportation and health care costs. As a result, this area stands out as a place where your money stretches further, ensuring that you can maintain a more economical and sustainable lifestyle. This affordability becomes increasingly valuable in an era marked by soaring costs, making Madison an attractive choice for those seeking financial prudence without compromising on quality of life.

Assuming that Madison meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Madison. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Madison are simply unattainable. The median home price for Madison homes is $43,800, which is 74.9% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Madison, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.4, which is 53.3% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Madison

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Madison?

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Compare Madison, IL Livability

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      Madison transportation information

      Statistic Madison Illinois National
      Average one way commute23min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work90.7%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool0.5%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.0%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.9%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.9%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Madison, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).