Forum
Analytics
Madison, United States 🇺🇸
#1373
,
Nomad Score:
65%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
52%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living; more affordable than major US metros like NYC or SF but higher than many smaller cities.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
48%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are moderate but rising due to demand; affordable options exist outside downtown.
🍎 Food & Groceries
63%
Weight: 40
Reasonably priced groceries and diverse food options; local markets help keep costs down.
🚌 Transportation Cost
60%
Weight: 20
Public transit is available but limited; many rely on cars, which adds to costs.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
65%
Weight: 15
Affordable entertainment options including theaters, music venues, and festivals.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
67%
Weight: 10
Average gym membership prices; several affordable fitness centers and community options.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
USD is a globally stable currency with minimal volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
84%
Weight: 100
Reliable high-speed internet widely available, including fiber in many areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
71%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in the city catering to freelancers and remote workers.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
78%
Weight: 30
Numerous cafes offering free WiFi and comfortable work environments.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
74%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes popular with remote workers, with power outlets and good seating.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
43%
Weight: 100
Not a major digital nomad hotspot but growing interest due to quality of life.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
89%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
86%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with many outdoor and cultural activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
82%
Weight: 15
Clean environment with good air and water quality; active sustainability initiatives.
🧼 Cleanliness
80%
Weight: 10
Generally clean city with well-maintained public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
95%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language; minimal language barrier for most digital nomads.
💨 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 activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
87%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and services available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
32%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is expensive without insurance; costs can be prohibitive for some.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure but affordability is a concern.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
41%
Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow and moderate summers; less ideal for those preferring warm climates.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional severe storms possible.
🏞️ Green Spaces
89%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks, lakes, and outdoor recreational areas.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Most buildings have air conditioning; not critical due to moderate summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
83%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons with colorful autumns and snowy winters.
🔊 Noise Pollution
70%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet neighborhoods; some noise in downtown areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
76%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene with museums, theaters, and music festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
62%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife options; more laid-back compared to larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
91%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to lakes, trails, and outdoor activities year-round.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Limited but available language classes and cultural exchange groups.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
68%
Weight: 10
Good variety of local tours, especially nature and food-related.
🎳 Indoors Fun
70%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and indoor sports facilities provide entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Diverse food options including local and international cuisines.
🧠 Yoga Studios
73%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios with varied class offerings.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
75%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms, fitness centers, and community sports programs.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
78%
Weight: 15
Organic markets and health-focused restaurants widely available.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65%
Weight: 20
Central US time zone; convenient for North American clients but less so for Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
67%
Weight: 25
Growing tech and startup community with regular meetups.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
60%
Weight: 20
Moderate local remote job market; more opportunities online.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
64%
Weight: 20
Active freelance community supported by coworking spaces and events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
72%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
65%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with university support and incubators.
💳 Local Payment Services
80%
Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of digital payments and banking apps.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; no major hubs but growing awareness.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
68%
Weight: 30
Regional airport with connections to major hubs; limited direct international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
55%
Weight: 20
Bus system available but limited coverage; car preferred.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
Downtown and university areas are walkable; suburbs less so.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
83%
Weight: 15
Uber and Lyft widely available and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
79%
Weight: 10
Good cycling infrastructure and bike-friendly culture.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Limited train service; mostly reliant on buses and cars.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Bike rentals common; electric scooters less prevalent.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
87%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
No restrictions; VPNs work reliably.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
88%
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
30%
Weight: 40
US visa process is complex and restrictive for many digital nomads.
📊 Tax Friendliness
40%
Weight: 30
High taxes compared to many countries; complex tax regulations.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech.
🏛️ Political Stability
78%
Weight: 20
Generally stable but some political polarization present.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Requires US address and documentation; can be challenging for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
70%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward for US residents; more complex for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in the US.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but limited visa options and higher costs reduce appeal.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
58%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and networking events but not a major hub.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
62%
Weight: 20
Moderate online presence in digital nomad forums and social media.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
75%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates; some petty crime in certain areas.
♀️ Female Friendly
78%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
65%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; some social tensions exist but overall inclusive.