Madison 80 Exceptional
Madison Livability #4 ranked city in Mississippi#1,592 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Madison

PROS
  • Crime 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.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing 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.

  • Schools Schools

    A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities 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 Commute

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

What's it like Living in Madison?

Located in the state of Mississippi, Madison is a medium-sized city with a population of 26,675 people. According to the most recent Census, 80% of Madison residents are White, 11% Black and 6% Asian. Madison has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. In total, more than 73% of the population is classified as married and 50% have kids.

Living in Madison can be a good experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Mississippi, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Madison and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, commute, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Mississippi and national averages.

Madison has a livability score of 80/100 and is ranked #4 in Mississippi and #1,468 in the USA. Clearly, Madison is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Madison also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Madison ranks very well for crime (A+), cost of living (B-), education (A) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Madison does not rank well for, including: amenities (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Madison gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 57 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Madison has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.7%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Madison, the average school test scores reached an impressive 66%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Madison an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Madison market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

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 $482,842, which is 157.3% higher than the Mississippi 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 2.7, which is 12.9% lower than the Mississippi average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Madison

See all the best places to live around Madison

How Do You Rate The Livability In Madison?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Madison, MS Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Madison transportation information

      Statistic Madison Mississippi National
      Average one way commute22min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work87.4%84.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.7%9.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.2%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home5.0%2.2%4.6%
      Source: The Madison, MS data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.