Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “Madtown,” or just by its name, Madison, WI, is one of the great destinations to live in the Midwest. With a stellar food scene, shows to see nearly every day of the week, and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder Madison is also home to about 269,200 people. You’ll find that the median home sale price is $377,950. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment, the average rent in Madison is $1,662.
If those prices are out of your budget, don’t worry. At Redfin, we’ve rounded up a list of the 4 most affordable Madison suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 30 mile drive from the city. That way you can live nearby without paying the price of living in Madison.
#1: Stoughton
Median home price: $327,000
Average sale price per square foot: $182
Average rent for an apartment: $1,593
Distance from Madison: 19 miles
Stoughton, WI homes for sale
Stoughton, WI apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $327,000, Stoughton claims the first spot on our list of affordable Madison suburbs. About 13,200 people live in this suburban area and you’ll only be about 19 miles away from downtown Madison. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to explore the charming downtown area where you’ll find the Stoughton Opera House, Livsreise – Norwegian Heritage Center, and Stoughton Historical Museum, enjoy outdoor activities at Mandt Park, which features green spaces, a splash pad, playgrounds, and sports facilities, or bike along the Stoughton Bike Trail.
#2: Windsor
Median home price: $344,500
Average sale price per square foot: $149
Average rent for an apartment: $1,655
Distance from Madison: 16 miles
Windsor, WI homes for sale
Windsor, WI apartments for rent
Just a little more expensive than Stoughton is the town of Windsor. Only about 25 minutes from the city center you can explore Madison in just a quick drive. Some popular things to explore in Windsor include visiting Balsam Bay Park by the scenic Lake Windsor or checking out the local cafes and shops. When living in this suburb of 8,700 people, you can also spend the day checking out the charming downtown.
#3: Evansville
Median home price: $359,900
Average sale price per square foot: $187
Distance from Madison: 22 miles
Evansville, WI homes for sale
Evansville, WI apartments for rent
Drive just 30 minutes outside of Madison and you’ll reach Evansville, another great suburb. There are plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to take part in when living in Evansville. If you find yourself moving here, check out the quaint downtown area where there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops or explore Leonard Leota Park along Lake Leota.
#4: McFarland
Median home price: $376,750
Average sale price per square foot: $217
Average rent for an apartment: $1,503
Distance from Madison: 9 miles
McFarland, WI homes for sale
McFarland, WI apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Evansville is McFarland, the final affordable Madison suburb on our list. With a population close to 8,900, there is still plenty to do in this Madison suburb. Plan to have a meal at one of the lakefront restaurants or visit one of the many green spaces and parks in the area.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Madison and under a 30-mile drive from downtown Madison. Median home sale price data and average rent price from the Redfin Data Center during December 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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