About Madison - WI
Madison is located in Wisconsin, and it is one of the most popular destinations among students. Here is a breakdown of the proportion of international students by level of study in Madison - WI:
Undergraduate: 49.4%
Postgraduate: 46.4%
Research: 4.2%
Madison in WI has 14% international students, making it the city with the largest percentage of international students. Three world-class universities are located in the city, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Edgewood College, and Madison College, contributing to its excellent reputation for higher education.
Popular Student Apartment Areas in Madison - WI
Popular Madison - WI areas amongst university students are Campus & Langdon Street, Monroe Street, and Willy Street. There are a few things to keep in mind while searching for the perfect student area to stay in, including transportation, cost, and amenities.
1. Students living in Campus & Langdon Street will be near Edgewood College, and Madison College and purpose-built student apartments would cost around $1,400 to $2,000+/month.
Travel time from Campus & Langdon Stree to the Madison’s Downtown by different modes of transportation:
Bus - 5-10 minutes
Taxi - 5-10 minutes
Walking - 10-15 minutes
2. Students living in Madison - WI, Monroe Street, and purpose-built student flats would cost approximately $1,200 to $1,800/month. In this area, nearby universities include the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Madison College.
Travel time from Monroe Street to Madison’s Downtown by different modes of transportation:
Bus - 15-20minutes
Taxi - 10-15 minutes
Walking - 20-25 minutes
3. Students living at Willy Street and purpose-built student rooms would cost around $800 to $1,400/month. In this area, nearby universities include the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Edgewood College
Travel time from Willy Street to Madison’s Downtown by different modes of transportation:
Bus - 10-15 minutes
Taxi - 10-15 minutes
Walking - 15-20 minutes
Best Student Off-Campus Housings in Madison- WI
Madison- WI has a variety of student room options, and students can explore different areas in the City in proximity to their universities and budgets.
Popular student Off-Campus Housings in Madison - WI that provides almost every room type are The Towers on State and The Statesider.
Discover Student Room Types in Madison - WI
The purpose-built student housing in Madison - WI typically includes a variety of amenities included in the bills; it varies according to the provider's terms and conditions. But broadly, we suggest a student should consider budget, needs, and preferences while making decisions.
Here, we have categorised the room types given below based on preferences and budget to help you in your decision-making.
Type 1: Affordable off-campus student housing in Madison- WI:
These cost around $761 – $937/month on average and are recommended for students who are comfortable sharing space. Typically, such properties are houses or apartments.
Shared room
Amenities: Self-contained apartment with multiple bedrooms, shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent: $600-$800 / month
Monroe Street avg. Rent $550-$750/ month
Willy Street avg. Rent: $500-$700/ month
Triple/ Quadruple rooms
Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent:Triple: $450-$600/month per person
Quadruple: $400-$550/month per person
Monroe Street avg. Rent: Triple: $400-$550/month per person
Quadruple: $350-$500/month per person
Willy Street avg. Rent: Triple: $350-$500/month per person
Quadruple: $300-$450/month per person
Entire place
Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent: $1,600-$2,500/month
Monroe Street avg. Rent: $1,400-$2,200/month
Willy Street avg. Rent: $1,200-$2,000/month
Type 2: Affordable off-campus student apartments in Madison- WI with privacy: These rooms cost around $700-$800/month
Single Room
Amenities: Private bedroom, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent: $650-$900/month
Monroe Street avg. Rent: $550-$800/month
Willy Street avg. Rent: $500-$750/month
Recommended student single room is The Towers on State.
Flatshare
Amenities: Private Bedroom in a shared house or flat, shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent: $1,400-$2,200 per person/month
Monroe Street avg. Rent: $1,200-$1,800 per person/month
Willy Street avg. Rent: $1,000-$1,600 per person/month
Recommended student-shared flats include The Towers on State.
Twin Rooms
Amenities: One room with 2 single beds, Shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent: $550-$800 per person/month
Monroe Street avg. Rent: $450-$700 per person/month
Willy Street avg. Rent: $400-$650 per person/month
Recommended student-Twin Rooms include The Statesider.
Double Rooms
Amenities: One bedroom with double bed, shared bathroom, shared kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent:: $500-$750 per person/month
Monroe Street avg. Rent: $400-$650 per person/month
Willy Street avg. Rent: $350-$600 per person/month
Room Type 3: Madison- WI Off-campus student rooms with privacy, quiet space, and near the Downtown cost around $850-$1,500+/month.
Student Flats
Amenities: Private bedroom, private bathroom, private kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent: $1,200-$1,800 per person/month
Monroe Street avg. Rent: $900-$1,400 per person/month
Willy Street avg. Rent: $800-$1,200 per person/month
Browse through Madison- WI student flats such as The Towers on State.
Student En-Suite Rooms
Amenities: Single bedroom, Private bathroom, shared kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent: $1,600-$2,500 per person/month
Monroe Street avg. Rent: $1,300-$2,000 per person/month
Willy Street avg. Rent: $1,100-$1,800 per person/month
Browse through students' en-suits in Madison- WI, such as The Towers on State.
Student Studios
Amenities: private bedroom, Private bathroom, private kitchen
Campus & Langdon Street avg. Rent: $850-$1,300 per month
Monroe Street avg. Rent: $750-$1,100 per month
Willy Street avg. Rent: $700-$1,000 per month
Popular student studios include The Towers on State.
Room Type 4: Students who prefer amenities over budget
Student Penthouse in Madison - WI costs around $600,000/month.
These are suitable for students who prefer to have private bedrooms, a private balcony, a terrace, privacy, spacious rooms, and a top floor which is more over budget.
Cost of Living in Madison- WI for Students
It varies depending on students’ lifestyle choices, but overall, keeping your Madison - WI student housing rent apart, some additional expenses like Food expenses cost + Transportations cost + US$140 - US$440 are overlooked. We have curated a list of such necessary items along with some tips to help you reduce the cost of living in Madison- WI as a student:
Food Expenses: $400-$600/month on average.
We suggest buying groceries that cost around $200 /month and cooking your own meals.
Shop from grocery stores such as which offer student discounts on grocery items, such as.
Trader Joe's: Store available in Madison - WI which frequently have sales and special offers, making it easy to score good deals on essentials like produce, frozen food, and pantry staples.
Target store: Store available in Madison - WI which runs weekly sales and promotions on groceries alongside other household essentials, including food and also offers RedCard for additional discounts.
Aldi: Store available in Madison - WI which is popular for rock-bottom prices on grocery items.
Walmart: Store available in Madison - WI which offers a student-focused Walmart Student program for free shipping on grocery orders over US$35 and access to exclusive discounts.
Costco: Store available in Madison - WI which offers student membership-based discounts on bulk buying groceries, including fresh produce, meat, and pantry staples.
Madison - WI Food Banks: Offers groceries/food for free or at the lowest prices possible. To find such local food banks and their eligibility criteria, visit Feeding America's website or by calling 211.
Transportation Expenses: $50-$100 /month on average. Tips to save some money on daily transportation in Madison - WI while living as a college student. According to your preferences, the university distance from your residence you may choose whichever option suits you.
Rent Bicycles: A few companies offer Docked Bike Sharing, and Dockless Bike Sharing at discounted prices for students. Also, the students can look for Campus Bike Rental Programs offered by their university. Search for such companies near your student accommodation.
Buses & Metro Passes: Many transit agencies offer student discounts on transportation fares. Generally, you can visit PassFinder or American Public Transportation Association (ATA) website to find student discount passes and their Terms and Conditions..
Trains: Amtrak Intercity trains connect major cities across the country, and can be a good option for weekend tours. It offers student discounts for people aged between 12 and 25 years.
Ridesharing: Alternative to taxis, companies like Uber and Lyft offer student discounts. Just ensure that their services are available in Madison - WI.
Carpooling: Some universities and colleges offer carpool matching programs for students.
Electric Scooters: These are a flexible option for short trips within the city. Many companies such as Bird, Lime, Spin, Lyft, Skip, Voi, Tier, Bolt, and Neuron offer student discounts or reduced fares for certain plans. Just ensure that their services are available in Madison - WI.
Kitchen Essentials: cost you between US$140 and US$440 approximately. However, it depends upon your student room regardless of on-campus and off-campus apartments if kitchen essentials are included in the rent or not. Check the property page you are interested in, is recommended. Cost may vary according to the City.
Basic cookware set (pots, pans, skillet): $30-$100
Utensils (spatulas, spoons, forks, knives): $20-$50
Plates, bowls, mugs: $20-$40
Cutting board, knives: $20-$50
Small appliances (microwave, toaster, coffee maker): $50-$200
Tips for international students to save money on Kitchen essentials
Thrift stores and consignment shops
Reuse utensils of former students leaving the city. Join international student groups or ask your friends for someone who is ready to give away their utensils or lend you.
Online marketplaces are helpful to buy items at affordable prices and buying second-hand items. Ensuring to personally check the item is recommended.
Check if your university has any College campus rental programs for Kitchen utensils.
Search for Appliance rental companies nearby in the city to rent out the Kitchen essentials.
Cook in groups: If you are a group of students moving together, Divide the selected rental utensils bill with them. It will reduce the cost way more than expected.
Bedding, Bathroom, and Cleaning Essentials: would cost you around US$250 - US$1000 approximately.
Bedding Essentials would cost you around US$220 - US$850 approximately.
including
Mattress and box spring: $150-$500 (Some properties already include it in rent; checking before buying yourself is recommended )
Comforter: $30-$200 (Some properties already include it in rent; checking before buying yourself is recommended )
Sheets: $20-$50
Pillows: $10-$50
Blanket: $10-$50
Bathroom Essentials would cost you around US$36 - US$160 approximately.
Including
Toothbrush: $2-$10
Toothpaste: $2-$10
Bar soap: $1-$5
Body wash: $3-$15
Shampoo and conditioner: $5-$20
Razor: $5-$15
Shaving cream: $3-$10
Towel: $5-$20
Bathrobe: $10-$50
Cleaning Essentials: would cost you around US$30 - US$80 approximately.
Including the items shared below. Generally, cleaning essentials are required for living in studio apartments and private rooms.
Dish soap: $1-$5
Sponges: $1-$5 for a pack of 2-3
Trash bags: $5-$10 for a large roll
Laundry detergent: $5-$15 for a small bottle
Cleaning wipes: $2-$5 for a pack
All-purpose cleaner: $3-$10
Toilet bowl cleaner: $2-$5
Mop and bucket: $10-$20
Tips for international students to save money on Bedding & Bathroom essentials
Shop during sales, promotions on special occasions
Buy in bulk from the stores that offer student discounts.
Reuse bedding essentials of former students leaving the city. Join international student groups or ask your friends for someone who is ready to give away their bedding essentials.