Buy vs Rent in Madison, WI (2026)
Median home price $360K · 1BR rent $1,650/mo · Price-to-rent ratio 18.2x.
Monthly cost of buying — 3 scenarios
30-year mortgage at 7% · Includes property tax, insurance, and maintenance estimates
| 3.5% down (FHA) | 10% down | 20% down (conventional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $12,600 | $36,000 | $72,000 |
| Mortgage (P&I) | $2,311/mo | $2,156/mo | $1,916/mo |
| Property tax (est.) | $330/mo | $330/mo | $330/mo |
| Insurance (est.) | $150/mo | $150/mo | $150/mo |
| Maintenance (est.) | $300/mo | $300/mo | $300/mo |
| Total monthly cost | $3,091vs rent: +$1,441/mo | $2,936vs rent: +$1,286/mo | $2,696vs rent: +$1,046/mo |
| Income to qualify | $99,043/yr | $92,400/yr | $82,114/yr |
| Break-even (approx.) | ~1 yrs | ~2 yrs | ~6 yrs |
Compare today's mortgage rates
Madison's price-to-rent ratio suggests buying may make sense — here are top lenders.
Madison housing context
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy or rent in Madison?
Madison's price-to-rent ratio of 18.2x is in the neutral zone (15-20x). Whether to buy or rent depends on how long you plan to stay, your down payment, and your personal finances.
How much do I need to earn to buy a home in Madison?
With a median home price of $360K in Madison, you'd need an annual income of roughly $82,114 to qualify with 20% down (at 7% rate, 28% housing ratio). With 10% down, you'd need about $92,400/year.
Mortgage at 7% 30-yr fixed · Property tax 1.1% est. · Maintenance 1% est. · Zillow, BLS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only