Top cities
Renter tools
Smarter moves, less stress
Smarter moves, less stress
Navigate apartment hunting and city life like a local with our curated articles about Madison, Wisconsin.
National study of renter’s satisfaction with their cities and states
Apartment List has released Madison’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of 111 million American renters nationwide.
"Madison renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "They gave most categories above average scores."
Key findings in Madison include the following:
Renters say:
For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.
Tenney-Lapham combines historic homes with lakefront access just blocks from the Wisconsin Capitol. Rental options include apartments in divided historic houses and newer buildings along East Washington Avenue. The neighborhood offers exceptional biking infrastructure with direct access to both Lake Mendota and the Capital City Trail, making it particularly popular with environmentally-conscious households seeking car-optional living despite Madison's sometimes challenging winter conditions.
Lakeside beauty defines Marquette, where homes near Lake Monona enjoy waterfront recreation access and spectacular sunset views over the state capitol. Residents appreciate the neighborhood's central location with walking distance to both downtown employment and the University of Wisconsin campus. Though winter brings significant snow requiring serious cold-weather preparation, the spectacular summer months with outdoor dining options and lake activities compensate for seasonal challenges. The area's architectural diversity spans historic mansions to modernist waterfront homes, creating varied housing options beyond cookie-cutter alternatives while maintaining the cohesive character that makes Madison's lakefront neighborhoods distinctive.
Isthmus energy buzzes between the Capitol's marble halls and the Memorial Union Terrace's sunset beer garden. Renters prize converted warehouse units but contend with protest march noise during legislative sessions. Winter bike commutes require navigating icy State Street cobblestones.
*Based on base prices that don’t include fees