Market report · WI

Madison, WI

Balanced's market

Madison's market is in transition: +2.2% YoY, median DOM 7 days. Selective deals only.

DATA · Zillow Research (via scrape.do) · AS OF APRIL 2026

$429k
Typical home value
↑12.7%
+2.2%
YoY change
$1,697
Median rent
↑12.7%
4.74%
Gross yield
7
Median DOM
39/100
MDR score
Detail Value Detail Value
Median list price $411,667 Median sale price $406,000
Sale-to-list ratio 1.006 % sold below list +35.1%
Active inventory 468 New listings 226
Trends · 36-month series

How Madison has moved.

Typical home value $381k → $429k · ↑12.7% (36mo)
$381k $397k $413k $429k May 23Nov 24Apr 26
Median rent (ZORI) $2k → $2k · ↑12.7% (36mo)
$2k $2k $2k $2k May 23Nov 24Apr 26
Median days on market 19d → 7d · ↓65.5% (36mo)
7d 11d 15d 19d Feb 26Mar 26Apr 26
Sale-to-list ratio 0.996 → 1.006 · ↑1.0% (36mo)
0.996 0.999 1.002 1.006 Jan 26Feb 26Mar 26

Madison sits at a median home value of $429,253 as of the latest Zillow read, essentially flat year-over-year, which historically is the most workable environment for disciplined wholesalers.

The sale-to-list ratio of 1.006 signals a balanced market — neither bid wars nor fire sales dominate. 35.1% of closings land below list, leaving room to negotiate on the right deal but no broad discount across the board.

Rents are workable but not generous. ZORI of $1,697/mo against a $429k median gives a 4.74% gross yield — average for the metro tier, requiring tight underwriting on any hold.

Median days-on-market is running around 7 days against 468.333 active listings — that’s a fast-moving market. Speed is the moat; pre-arranged proof of funds and a tight buyers list are the difference between getting under contract and getting outbid.

MDR’s composite investor score for Madison is 39/100 based on rent yield, sale-to-list discount, motivated-seller proxies, and DOM. Lower tier this quarter. Watch list, not deploy list — re-evaluate next read.

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FAQ

Madison for investors.

Is Madison a good market for real estate investors in 2026?

Metro Deal Report's composite investor score for Madison is 39/100, based on rent yield, sale-to-list ratio, motivated-seller proxies, and days on market. Madison is a lower-tier market right now. Watch list, not deploy list, until the numbers shift.

What is the median home price in Madison?

The typical home value in Madison as of the most recent Zillow read is $429,253. Median list price is $411,667 and median sale price is $406,000. Year-over-year change: +2.2%.

What can a landlord expect to rent a property for in Madison?

Zillow's Observed Rent Index for Madison is $1,697/mo. Against the typical home value of $429k, that produces a gross annual rent yield of 4.74% — right at the national baseline, requiring tight underwriting on holds.

Is Madison a buyer's or seller's market?

Madison's current sale-to-list ratio is 1.006 with 35.1% of homes closing below list. That's a balanced market — neither side dominates. Median days on market: 7 days. Active inventory: 468 listings.

Which investment strategy works best in Madison?

Madison's data favors flipping — appreciation tailwind with fast exits, though competition is real. See the per-strategy breakdowns at /wholesaling/madison, /brrrr/madison, and /flipping/madison.

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