Madison 76 Excellent
Madison Livability #24 ranked city in South Dakota#3,333 ranked city in the USARanks better than 88% 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.

  • 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

    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.

  • Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

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

What's it like Living in Madison?

Madison is a small city located in the state of South Dakota. The city has a population of 7,249 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Madison is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are American Indian and Alaskan and Black. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Madison offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 12 minutes, far lower 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 fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in South Dakota, 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. Finding the best places to live in Madison and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, commute, employment, housing and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Madison has received a livability score of 74/100. This score is ranked in the 86th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Madison ranks well for crime (A+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Madison scores poorly for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 134 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Madison boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

The unemployment rate in Madison has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.65%. 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.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Madison can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Madison is real estate affordability. The median home price for Madison homes is $124,300, which is 15.3% lower than the South Dakota 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 2.3, which is 17.9% lower than the South Dakota 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, SD Livability

      vs

      Madison transportation information

      Statistic Madison South Dakota National
      Average one way commute12min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.8%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.8%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.7%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Madison, SD data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).