Madison, United States 🇺🇸
#1373
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
53%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living; more affordable than major US metros like NYC or SF but pricier than many smaller cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
50%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate; one-bedroom apartments in city center average around $1,200-$1,400/month.
🍎 Food & Groceries
62%
Weight: 40
Grocery prices are reasonable; dining out is moderately priced with many affordable options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
65%
Weight: 20
Public transit is available but limited; many rely on cars; gas prices typical for US Midwest.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
60%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are affordable with many free or low-cost cultural events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
71%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships average around $30-$40/month, competitive compared to other US cities.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
USD is a globally stable currency with minimal volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
Reliable high-speed internet widely available with average speeds around 150-300 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
74%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in downtown Madison catering to freelancers and remote workers.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
80%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable work environments.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes with power outlets and conducive atmospheres for remote work.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
41%
Weight: 100
Not a major digital nomad hotspot but growing awareness among remote workers.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
85%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with ample recreational opportunities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
83%
Weight: 15
Clean environment with good air and water quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
80%
Weight: 10
City is well-maintained and clean.
🗨️ Language Barrier
95%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language; minimal language barriers for English speakers.
💨 Air Quality
79%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, occasional pollution spikes in winter due to heating.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
80%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented amenities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
88%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities including University of Wisconsin Hospital.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
42%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are high without insurance; typical of US healthcare system.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare services but expensive.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
31%
Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow and moderate summers; not ideal for those preferring warm climates.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
78%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional severe storms possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
89%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks, lakes, and green areas within and around the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Most buildings have air conditioning, though not always central AC.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
75%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons with snowy winters and warm summers.
🔊 Noise Pollution
75%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet neighborhoods; some noise near downtown and university areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
76%
Weight: 20
Vibrant cultural scene with theaters, museums, and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
63%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife with bars and live music but quieter than larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
87%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to lakes, hiking trails, and outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Some language schools and university programs available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
68%
Weight: 10
Good local tours and cultural experiences, especially related to nature and history.
🎳 Indoors Fun
69%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and indoor sports facilities provide entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with local and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
71%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios offering various styles and classes.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
73%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms, fitness centers, and recreational facilities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
76%
Weight: 15
Many organic markets and health-conscious restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
Central Time Zone; convenient for US business hours but less ideal for Asia-Pacific.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
67%
Weight: 25
Active professional and tech meetups but smaller scale than major hubs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
60%
Weight: 20
Moderate local remote job market; more opportunities in tech and education sectors.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
63%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
75%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
62%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with university support but smaller scale.
💳 Local Payment Services
78%
Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of credit/debit cards and mobile payment apps.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
50%
Weight: 15
Limited local adoption; some interest but not widespread.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
65%
Weight: 30
Dane County Regional Airport offers domestic flights; international connections require transfers.
🚇 Public Transit
58%
Weight: 20
Bus system available but limited coverage; car preferred for most.
🚶 Walkability
72%
Weight: 20
Downtown and university areas are walkable; suburbs less so.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
79%
Weight: 15
Uber and Lyft widely available.
🚲 Cycling
76%
Weight: 10
Good cycling infrastructure and bike-friendly city.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
55%
Weight: 15
Limited train service; mostly reliant on buses and cars.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Bike-sharing programs available; electric scooters less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
84%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87%
Weight: 15
Stable power supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
69%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in libraries and some public spaces but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
US visa process is complex and restrictive for many nationalities.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Moderate state and federal taxes; not particularly tax-friendly for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech.
🏛️ Political Stability
88%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Standard US banking requirements; can be challenging for non-residents.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
70%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward process for registering small businesses.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in the US.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
55%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but lacks specific infrastructure or visas for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
58%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events but limited compared to major nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
62%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online communities for Madison-based remote workers.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
79%
Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low violent crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
83%
Weight: 50
Safe and inclusive environment for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial diversity with ongoing efforts towards inclusion.