Madison 85 Exceptional
Madison Livability #15 ranked city in New Jersey#451 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Madison

PROS
  • Amenities

    Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.

  • Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • 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

    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

    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
  • Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

New Real Estate Listings in Madison Area
Search Homes for Sale in Madison, NJ

What's it like Living in Madison?

Madison is a moderately-sized city located in the state of New Jersey. The city has a population of 16,647 residents. Madison has a population density of 3,859 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. At 81%, the majority of the Madison population is White; this is followed by 7% Asian and 4% Black. Something to be aware of when living in Madison are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 30 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Madison is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before moving to any new city in New Jersey, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Madison, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, health & safety, education, employment and more.

The livability score in Madison is 85 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 98th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Madison could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Madison also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Madison has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (B).

The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Madison, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Madison undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location.

Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Madison, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 73%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Madison has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Madison. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Madison are affordable. Median real estate prices in Madison come in at $741,300, which is 134.3% higher than the New Jersey average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Madison, the home price to income ratio is 4.7, which is 9.3% higher than the New Jersey 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, NJ Livability

      vs

      Madison transportation information

      Statistic Madison New Jersey National
      Average one way commute30min31min26min
      Workers who drive to work63.1%71.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.2%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit11.3%11.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.9%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home14.6%4.1%4.6%
      Source: The Madison, NJ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).