Madison is the second-largest city in Alabama and the fastest-growing city in the Southeastern region of America.
It’s settled in the Madison County of North Alabama, part of the Huntsville Metropolitan area.
The Rocket City of Alabama seamlessly fits the primary livability criteria and more, making it an excellent place for affluent, well-educated professionals and families to call home.
Rocket City, because the Madison Baseball team is officially called the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
If you’re considering moving to Madison, Alabama, read our block post to get more information about the city and make the right decision.
Population & Diversity of Madison, AL
Home to over 56,933 residents as of the 2020 census, Madison spans over 31 square miles of land area, which gets a yearly population growth of expats added to it by 3%.
Below is a simple breakdown of Madison’s Population and diversity as of 2023.
- The most common language spoken in Madison is English
- The median age of Madison is 39.6 years.
- Madison’s poverty rate is 4.97%.
- Madison has a diversity score of 93 out of 100.
- A total of 13,905 families are residing in Madison.
The population of Madison, AL features various ethnic groups, which are distinguished as follows:
- White (Non-Hispanic)-72%
- Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)- 14%
- Asian (Non-Hispanic)-6%
- White (Hispanic)-5%
- Other races-3%
Is Madison, AL, safe?
Madison has higher crime scenes, compared to the US average, among all communities in America. However, compared to other Alabama communities, Madison’s communities are less affected by crimes.
If you are relocating to Madison, AL, learn the crime stats collected by the Madison police department.
- The chance of becoming a violent and property crime victim in Madison is about 1 in 247 and 1 in 51, respectively.
- The city ranks #52 on the list of the best and worst cities for crime in America.
- The most common type of crimes happening in Madison include armed robbery, assault, rape, or murder.
- The crime rate is observed to decrease by 17% year over year.
The crime rate in Madison, AL, in comparison with the state and national average, is mentioned as follows:
| Crime type | Madison | Alabama | US |
| Violent crime | 18.5 | 26.8 | 22.7 |
| Property crime | 32.2 | 43 | 35.4 |
Source: https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/112243NCJRS.pdf
Listing out some of the safest neighborhoods in Madison, AL:
- Village at Oakland Springs / Burgreen Gin
- Hermitage Place / Lanier Lakes
- Triana / Willows at the River Landing
- Rainbow
- Madison
Cost of Living in Madison, AL
Madison is known to be the costliest and 2nd most inexpensive city in Alabama. Here is what you need to know about the living expenses in Madison, AL.
- The cost of living in Madison, Alabama, is 5.8% lower than the national average but 10% higher than the state average.
- To meet the expenses and lead a pleasant life in Madison, AL, you must earn an annual average salary of $42,000 if you live solo and $64,040 if you live with your family.
- The average cost of living in Madison, Alabama, is $ 1750 and $3800 per month, including rent for a single and a family of four, respectively.
The table below describes the cost of living in Madison, AL, in comparison with the state and the national average:
| Category | Madison | Alabama | US average |
| Overall | 94.2 | 84.1 | 100 |
| Food and groceries | 99.3 | 94.4 | 100 |
| Healthcare | 123.8 | 118.9 | 100 |
| Housing | 100.5 | 56.6 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95.6 | 101.2 | 100 |
| Transportation | 80.7 | 85.9 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 85.8 | 71 | 100 |
Source: https://edpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Alabamas-Quality-of-Life-1.pdf
Here is a table comparing the cost of living in Madison, Alabama, to other cities in Alabama:
| City, State | Compared to the National Average |
| Birmingham, AL | 9.5% cheaper than Madison, AL |
| Huntsville, AL | 7.9%, cheaper than Madison, AL |
| Mobile, AL | 12.5% cheaper than Madison, AL |
| Montgomery, AL | 9.6% cheaper than Madison, AL |
Job Market in Madison, AL
If getting a job position is your concern while moving to Madison, you will likely acquire one due to its booming job market. The city’s organizations, startups, and industries are constantly looking to fill more than 260,000 job openings yearly.
Let’s explore some more about the job stats in Madison.
- Madison has had a positive percentage of job growth of 3.6% over the last year.
- Technology, aerospace, technology, and defense are the significant employment sectors in Madison.
- The city bears an unemployment rate of 1.8%, one of the second lowest in the nation.
- According to LMI Alabama, the average salary in Madison is $62,471 per annum or an hourly rate of $30.
- Madison is expected to witness a future percentage job growth of 43.6% in the upcoming decade.
The high-paying jobs in Madison, AL, are:
- Physician
- Family Physician
- Dentist
- Psychiatrist
- Optometrist
- Pharmacist
- Aerospace Engineer
- Software Architect
- Senior Software Engineer
- Operations Project Manager
The top employers in Madison, AL, are:
- Boeing
- Intergraph
- Madison City Schools
- Tyonek Manufacturing Group
- Adtran
- Polaris Industries
- LG Electronics
- Sanmina-SCI
- Target
- Wal-Mart
Most Common Jobs in Madison, AL:
- Software Developer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Registered Nurse
- Sales Associate
- Customer Service Representative
- Server
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- Retail Sales Associate
Tax rates in Madison, AL
Madison has higher income and sales taxes than other Alabama cities and the US average. The city ranks 4th in the state for the most significant property tax payments.
- Sales tax – 10.5% (combination of 4% state sales tax, 2% Limestone county tax, and 4.5% city tax.
- Income tax – 6% based on income levels.
- Property tax – 3.5% of the asserted value, 1.75% for machinery sales.
Housing market in Madison, AL
Madison has had a thriving housing market since the early 2000s, scoring 47 out of 100. You’ll find many homes of different sizes at affordable prices and locations, making you willingly stretch your dollars for such a fruitful investment.
Here’s an entire list of housing and rental facts in Madison, Alabama, that we have collected to know the housing market better in the City.
- The housing market in Madison is ranked the #1 best place in Alabama to buy a new home.
- The average home value in Madison, AL, as of 2023, is $464,000.
- The median sale price per square foot in Madison is $179.
- Real estate prices in Madison have been rising, with the median sale price increasing by 3.5% from the previous year.
- Madison has 867 home listings, of which 52 new homes are for sale, and 165 homes are available for rent.
- The average rent of a house in Madison is $1350 per month.
- The average cost to build a house in Madison is $270,000 or $135 per square foot.
The table below illustrates the moderate housing and rental prices in Madison, AL, compared to the US average.
| Housing costs | Madison AL | US |
| Median home cost | $467,000 | $338,100 |
| Rental cost of a studio | $1295 | $1080 |
| Rental cost of 1 bedroom | $1350 | $1180 |
| Rental cost of 2 bedroom | $1455 | $1430 |
| Rental cost of 3 bedroom | $1675 | $1860 |
Source: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Madison_AL
Education system in Madison, AL
Madison is home to some of the A++-ranked schools that top the list of 100 best schools in America.
The Madison City school system is one of the best school systems in the state. The school system has 12 schools, serving 12,302 students and 700 certified staff, with a budget of over $90 million.
These schools have a teacher-student ratio of 1:19, minority enrollment of 42%, and economically challenged students of about 7.6%.
The city’s universities and colleges, including the University of Alabama, Oakwood University, and Alabama A&M, are amongst the best colleges for a teaching degree in Alabama, providing over 40% of engineering and aerospace graduates to dominate the city’s economy by acquiring high-salaried job positions.
Some of Madison, Alabama’s top high, elementary, and middle schools are here.
Elementary Schools:
- Heritage Elementary School
- Mill Creek Elementary School
- Columbia Elementary School
- West Madison Elementary School
- Rainbow Elementary School
Middle Schools:
- Liberty Middle School
- Discovery Middle School
- Bob Jones High School
High Schools:
- James Clemens High School
- Bob Jones High School
Public Transportation in Madison, AL
Madison has several public transportation but is limited in numbers compared to other US cities. Here are several facts and info related to the transportation and commute system in Madison al. \
- The average commute time in Madison is 21.9 minutes, less than the national average of 26.4 minutes.
- The public transportation systems in Madison provide facilities for children, seniors, and disabled individuals in the county.
- Madison has an average car ownership of about two cars per household. Owning a vehicle to get around the city is ideal if you prefer to travel.
- You can rent a car, like Uber or taxi, for $30-$50 per ride.
The details regarding the public transportation facilities available in the city are listed below:
- Access: Special demand for an on-call transportation system for disabled people and seniors.
- Huntsville shuttle Bus: public bus service in Madison and Huntsville.
- Transportation For Rural Areas Of Madison County: A government-run, low-cost, public transportation service that responds to demand in rural areas of the county.
- Madison Assisted Ride System: Public Bus service for disabled and seniors at a rate of $2 per trip for the individuals of Huntsville and Madison.
- Orbit Public Transit System: public bus service running on the weekdays on 9 routes from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. covering the streets of Madison and Huntsville.
Weather and climate in Madison, AL
A humid subtropical climate characterizes Madison. It experiences hot, long summers, warm, mild winters, and partly cloudy skies year-round. Over the entire year, the city gets an average temperature of 42°F to 80°F, and sometimes reduces below 27°F or rises above 91°F.
Here is the exact weather bulletin for Madison, Alabama, according to WeatherSpark.
- On average, Madison receives 205 sunny days, 0.3 inches of snowfall, and 55 inches of rainfall yearly.
- April, May, and October are the best time to visit Madison, AL.
- From May to September, July is the hottest month in Madison, with average high-low temperatures varying between 90°F-71°F.
- Of the three months from December to February, January is the coldest month in Madison, with an average low temperature below 45°F.
Here is a table showing the average temperature and precipitation in Madison, AL, by month :
| Month | Average High (°F) | Average Low (°F) | Average Precipitation (in) |
| January | 50 | 31 | 5.1 |
| February | 55 | 34 | 4.8 |
| March | 64 | 42 | 6.2 |
| April | 73 | 50 | 4.9 |
| May | 81 | 59 | 4.7 |
| June | 88 | 68 | 4.3 |
| July | 89 | 70 | 4.6 |
| August | 89 | 69 | 3.9 |
| September | 83 | 62 | 4.1 |
| October | 73 | 49 | 3.9 |
| November | 62 | 40 | 4.9 |
| December | 52 | 33 | 5.2 |
Top neighborhoods in Madison, AL
Let’s know the best places to live in Madison, AL, that make Madison The Magic City.
- Clift’s Cove
- Highland Lakes
- Edgewater
- The Ridge
- Madison Station
- Heritage Plantation
- Walden
Things to Do in Madison, AL
Below is a list of 8 places to see in Madison, Alabam, AL, that you can add to your bucket list for a day or weekend trip!
- Go shopping for some local products at the Madison City Farmer’s Market.
- Catch up with some local breweries and wineries at the Rocket Republic Brewing, Old Black Bear Brewing Company, and Mad County Winery.
- Watch a movie at the Monaco Theatre.
- Enjoy your day at the Dublin Memorial Park.
- Explore the indoor entertainment at the Insanity Complex and Kings Kingdom.
- Gain some knowledge at the Madison Public Library.
- Spend quality time among the plants and flowers at the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
- Check out the exhibits and antiques at the US Veterans Memorial Museum.
Pros and Cons of Living in Madison, AL
Lastly, in the table below, we have compiled all the advantages and disadvantages of living in Madison, Alabama.
| Pros of Living in Madison, AL | Cons of Living in Madison, AL |
|---|---|
| Short commutes | High property taxes |
| Minimal traffic | Traffic congestion |
| Easy access to airport/565 | Train running through town |
| Good school system | High cost of living |
| Nice parks and facilities | Limited internet speed |
| Sports culture | Extreme weather |
| Diverse population | Limited internet speed |
| Good food scene |
Final Verdict
If you are considering a move to Alabama, then Madison will be a fantastic place to live, study, work, and spend a quality vacation. You’ll always have things to explore, find something for everyone, and meet friendly people surrounding you.
While relocation might be daunting, you can take baby steps, starting by searching for a rental apartment, securing a job, familiarising yourself with healthcare, schools, and amenities, planning your move with a moving company, transferring your essential documents, and you’re done!
This hidden gem of the South is a perfect destination to settle down, so, pack your bags and have a great move!
Image Credit: Chris Pruitt, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons