Madison, Wisconsin Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Madison Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating6.8
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Competition
8.6 -
Real Estate Cost
6.7 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
5.6 -
Rental Rates
6.4
Madison, Wisconsin Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 269,840
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- County
- Dane
- Airports
- Dane County Regional (MSN)
- Tri County Regional (LNR)
Want to learn more about Madison?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Madison rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Madison rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Madison.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Madison guests.
Interested in other Wisconsin cities?
Check out the Wisconsin short term rental regulations directory
What makes Madison a great place to invest?
- Cultural Delights at the University of Wisconsin-Madison: As home to one of the nation's top public research universities, Madison offers world-class museums, art galleries, and performance venues. Don't miss the Chazen Museum of Art, the Wisconsin Historical Museum, and the Wisconsin Union Theater for a taste of the city's intellectual and artistic scene.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts' Paradise: With five picturesque lakes, countless parks, and hundreds of miles of biking and hiking trails, Madison offers a myriad of outdoor activities. Paddleboard on Lake Monona, kayak through the Tenney Locks, or bike the Capital City State Trail to immerse yourself in nature.
- Agritourism and Farm-to-Table Dining: Madison's rich agricultural heritage translates to an unparalleled farm-to-table dining scene. Tour working farms, explore local farmers' markets, and savor mouthwatering dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients at acclaimed restaurants like L'Etoile and Graze.
- Magnificent State Capitol Building: A trip to Madison isn't complete without visiting the stunning Wisconsin State Capitol, with its awe-inspiring architecture and breathtaking views of the city. Join a guided tour to learn about the Capitol's history, or simply wander through the stunning rotunda and soak in the building's grandeur.
- Olbrich Botanical Gardens: Spanning 16 acres of lush greenery, the Olbrich Botanical Gardens are a true urban oasis. With meticulously landscaped gardens, including a Thai Pavilion, a Rose Garden, and a Sunken Garden, these gardens provide a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Vibrant Craft Beer Scene: Madison boasts an exciting craft beer scene, with over 15 local breweries offering unique brews and inviting atmospheres. Enjoy a brewery tour or sample award-winning beers at popular spots like Ale Asylum, Karben4, and the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company. Cheers to a memorable Madison experience!
Madison Nearby Cities
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23 miles away
- Rating: 6.9
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51 miles away
- Rating: 7.5
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Madison?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Madison has increased 8% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $253, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$429,996
8% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$253
7% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,554
6% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Madison
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Madison, Wisconsin
Common terms for Madison short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Madison has a description approximately 1,633 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 384 listings in Madison, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Madison, Quiet, Family, Deck, View, City, Place, Perfect, Lake, and Spacious.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Madison?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Madison involve going to the Zoo, Swimming, Boating, Cycling, and Adventure Activities. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Zoo
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Swimming
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Boating
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Cycling
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Adventure Activities
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Kayaking
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Museums
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Paddle Boating
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Ice Skating
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Hiking
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Health Spa
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Water Sports
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Madison, including University of Wisconsin-Madison, Alliant Energy Center, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Camp Randall Stadium, and Wisconsin State Capitol. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Alliant Energy Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Camp Randall Stadium
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Wisconsin State Capitol
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Kohl Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Capitol Square
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Hilldale Shopping Center
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison
Included on 78% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Included on 63% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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East Towne Mall
Included on 55% of listings
What’s the weather like in Madison, Wisconsin?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 57°, while the average low is about 40°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 28 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 20 inches per year. The humidity levels in Madison are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
17° Low 31° High
Spring
March through May
39° Low 58° High
Summer
June through August
61° Low 80° High
Fall
September through November
42° Low 59° High
Cities Near Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, is located in Dane County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
