Madison 75 Excellent
Madison Livability #254 ranked city in Ohio#4,210 ranked city in the USARanks better than 85% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Madison

PROS
  • Cost Of Living 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 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.

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 Ohio, Madison is a small-sized city with a population of 3,256 residents. At 98%, the majority of the Madison population is White; this is followed by 1% Black and 1% Asian. 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 32 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Madison can be a good experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Ohio, 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 amenities, cost of living, health & safety, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Ohio and national averages.

Using data and statistics Madison has received a livability score of 75 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 86th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a phenomenal score, as Madison ranks well in multiple categories! If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Madison ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+), education (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Madison. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Madison, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 59 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Madison has an unemployment rate of 1.3% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Madison have an average test score of 66%, which is well above the US average.

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.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Madison is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Madison come in at $266,046, which is 13.3% higher than the Ohio 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 2.5, which is 19.4% lower than the Ohio 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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      Madison transportation information

      Statistic Madison Ohio National
      Average one way commute32min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.7%83.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.4%7.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.4%1.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%2.3%2.8%
      Working from home6.5%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Madison, OH 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.