Is Sun Prairie Safe, Pros and cons of living in Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, offers a blend of suburban comfort and community engagement, making it an attractive location for many. This city, nestled in Dane County, is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and proximity to the state capital, Madison. It provides a variety of amenities and a distinct local culture, including its notable claim as the “Groundhog Capital of the World.”
The city’s development has been shaped by its history and geography, with a landscape characterized by rolling hills and plains. Its climate offers distinct seasons, from warm, humid summers to cold, snowy winters. Sun Prairie also experiences occasional flooding due to its soil type and proximity to waterways, a factor that has influenced its development and resident concerns over the years.
Is it Safe to Live in Sun Prairie?
Sun Prairie generally presents a safe environment for its residents, with crime rates that are often compared favorably to national averages. The majority of reported crimes tend to be property-related, which, while inconvenient, typically do not pose a direct threat to personal safety (as reported by Dairyland Moving & Storage). This focus on property crime means that violent crime rates are considerably lower.
Violent crime in Sun Prairie is reported at 274 crimes per 100,000 people, which is lower than both the state and national averages (as reported by Dairyland Moving & Storage). Property crime rates are also a point of consideration, with 1,535 crimes per 100,000 people, which is higher than the state average but still lower than the national average (as reported by Dairyland Moving & Storage). Overall, residents generally feel safe, with a significant majority reporting feeling “pretty safe” or “very safe” (as rated by Niche).
Cost of Living in Sun Prairie
The cost of living in Sun Prairie is slightly above the national average, with a cost of living index of 103.4, meaning it is approximately 3.4% more expensive than the national average (as reported by Dairyland Moving & Storage). This figure is also just below the cost of living in nearby Madison.
Housing expenses in Sun Prairie are also slightly higher than the national average, by about 2% (as reported by Payscale). However, utility prices are notably lower, being 4% less expensive than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Transportation costs, including gas and bus fares, are also marginally lower than the national average by approximately 1% (as reported by Payscale).
Housing Costs
The median home value in Sun Prairie is approximately $365,700 (as reported by Livability.com), with recent data indicating an increase in home prices. In March 2026, home prices were up 22.1% compared to the previous year, with a median sale price of $470,000 (as reported by Redfin). The median list price in March 2026 was $463,800 (as reported by Zillow).
For those interested in renting, the median rent in Sun Prairie is around $1,419 per month (as reported by Livability.com). This is lower than the average rent in Madison, which is approximately $1,725 per month (as reported by Livability.com). Rent for a two-bedroom apartment typically falls within the $1,700s to $1,900s range (as reported by Rentometer).
Income and Salary
The median household income in Sun Prairie is reported to be around $92,263 (as reported by Livability.com), which is significantly higher than the Wisconsin state average of $75,670 (as reported by Livability.com). This higher income level is partly attributed to the educational attainment of its residents, with 50% of adults holding bachelor’s degrees or higher, compared to the national average of 31% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org).
The average salary in the Madison/Sun Prairie area is approximately $76,000 per year (as reported by Dairyland Moving & Storage). More specific data indicates a median wage of $39,200 per year, with the 75th percentile reaching $52,600 per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). This indicates a robust job market that supports a higher cost of living.
Job Market and Major Employers
Sun Prairie’s job market is characterized by a growing employment sector and a range of opportunities, with employment growing at a rate of 2.96% from 2023 to 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents include Healthcare & Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA).
While many residents commute to Madison for work, Sun Prairie also hosts significant local employers. Key companies include QBE Insurance, the Sun Prairie School District, and American Family Insurance (as reported by Dairyland Moving & Storage). Other notable businesses present in the area include Colony Brands and Frontier Communications (as reported by Wikipedia).
Climate in Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The warmest month is typically July, with average maximum temperatures around 82.1°F (27.8°C), and the coldest month is January, with average minimum temperatures around 9.3°F (-12.6°C) (as reported by Wikipedia). The temperature variation between day and night is moderate in the summer and limited in the winter.
Annual precipitation in Sun Prairie averages approximately 32.95 inches (837 mm), with rainfall distributed relatively evenly throughout the year. August is usually the wettest month, receiving an average of 4.33 inches (110 mm) of rain (as reported by Wikipedia). The city also experiences significant snowfall, with an average of 44 inches annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Education in Sun Prairie
The Sun Prairie Area School District serves the community, offering a range of educational options for students. The district has an average testing ranking of 6 out of 10, placing it in the top 50% of public school districts in Wisconsin (as reported by Public School Review). This district serves approximately 9,628 students across 17 public schools.
Sun Prairie High School is recognized as a high-performing institution, ranking among the best public high schools in Wisconsin. It boasts a high graduation rate of 95% and a strong performance in college preparatory and STEM fields (as reported by Cardinal Heating). Other schools like Horizon Elementary School have received high marks for academics and teacher quality (as reported by Public School Review).
Demographics of Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie’s population was recorded at 35,967 in the 2020 census, and it is projected to reach 40,875 by 2026 (as reported by Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Population 2026). The city is growing at an annual rate of 2.02% (as reported by Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Population 2026). The median age in Sun Prairie is 36.7 years (as reported by Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Population 2026).
The racial makeup of Sun Prairie is predominantly White, comprising about 74.21% of the population. Other significant demographic groups include Black or African American at 8.76% and Asian at 8.69% (as reported by Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Population 2026). The population is diverse, with a minority enrollment of 45% in its public schools, which is higher than the Wisconsin average (as reported by Public School Review).