What are the schools like in Madison, IL?

Madison is served primarily by Madison CUSD 12. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.2:1.

What is the median household income in Madison?

The median household income in Madison, IL is $41,429 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 11.8%.

What is the weather like in Madison, IL?

Madison has an average high temperature of 40.2°F in January and 89.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 13.8 inches.

Madison, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Madison, IL affordable or expensive?

Madison's cost of living index is 96, where 100 represents the national average. This means Madison is 4% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $51,700 and the median rent is $887 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Madison, IL?

Madison has a violent crime rate of 217.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1027.1 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Madison, IL a Good Place to Live?

Madison is a small town of 2,677 in Illinois, with a median household income of $41,429 and a 11.8% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 96 (US average = 100), which is 4% below the national average.

Strengths: Madison stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Madison is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Madison city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 96.3

Madison's overall cost of living index is 96.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Madison costs roughly 4% less than the average American city.

Metric	Madison, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$51,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$887	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	52.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$41,429	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Madison's violent crime rate is 217.5 per 100,000 residents — 43% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

217.5 /100k

Property Crime

1027.1 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Madison is served primarily by Madison CUSD 12. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Madison, IL	National Avg
School District	Madison CUSD 12	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	10.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	84.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Madison sees average highs of 40.2°F in January and 89.0°F in July, with 45.1 inches of annual precipitation and 13.8 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Madison, IL
Average High — January	40.2°F
Average High — July	89.0°F
Annual Precipitation	45.1"
Annual Snowfall	13.8"

Demographics

Metric	Madison, IL	National Avg
Population	2,677	—
Median Age	49.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	11.8%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	46.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	46.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	5.1%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	15.5%	22.2%
65 and over	16.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Fairmont City, IL 3 mi Pontoon Beach, IL 3 mi Granite City, IL 3 mi Venice, IL 4 mi Washington Park, IL 4 mi

ZIP Codes in Madison

Madison, IL is covered by 2 ZIP codes:

62048 62060

Madison vs Other Cities

Madison, IL vs Fairmont City, IL Madison, IL vs Pontoon Beach, IL Madison, IL vs Granite City, IL Madison, IL vs Venice, IL Madison, IL vs Washington Park, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madison, IL affordable or expensive?

Madison's cost of living index is 96, where 100 is the national average. That makes Madison roughly 4% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $51,700 and median rent is $887/month.

What is the crime rate in Madison, IL?

Madison's violent crime rate is 217.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1027.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Madison?

Public schools in Madison are operated by Madison CUSD 12. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1. 10.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Madison, IL a good place to live?

Madison, IL has a population of 2,677, a median household income of $41,429, and an unemployment rate of 11.8%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Madison?

Madison averages 40.2°F in January and 89.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.1 inches with about 13.8 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Madison?

Madison, IL is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 62048, 62060.

What is the population of Madison?

The population of Madison, Illinois is 2,677 with a median age of 49.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Madison?

Key numbers for living in Madison: cost of living index 96 (100 = US average), median home $51,700, median household income $41,429, crime index 54 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Madison side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.