Madison Ranked 3rd Most Expensive Airport in U.S. Milwaukee Saw 2nd Biggest Fare Spike in 2025

Wisconsin's airfare story in 2025 is one of the more striking in the national data—and not in a good way. Only In Your State analyzed recently released Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, and Wisconsin's two airports in the top 100 both landed near the expensive end of the national spectrum, with one recording one of the country's largest single-year fare increases.

General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee averaged $423.55 per domestic ticket in 2025, ranking 79th out of 100 airports nationally—$36.55 above the national average of $387. MKE also recorded the second-largest fare increase of any airport in the country in 2025, rising $28.64 from the prior year.

Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison averaged $491.19, ranking 98th nationally—$104.19 above the national average. Only Birmingham, Alabama ($497.72) and Anchorage, Alaska ($521.54) were more expensive. Madison is the third most expensive airport in the country.

Why Wisconsin's Fares Run So High

Both Wisconsin airports serve mid-size markets with limited carrier competition. Madison (91st by passenger volume) and Milwaukee (56th by passenger volume) are big enough to attract several airlines but not large enough to generate the intense competition that drives fares down at major hubs or high-volume leisure airports.

Madison's high cost ranking reflects a market where business travel demand—driven by state government, the University of Wisconsin, and healthcare institutions—supports above-average pricing. Business-heavy airports often carry premium fares regardless of size.

Factoring in Ground Transportation & Parking

While the ticket price differential between Wisconsin airports and Chicago hubs is substantial, savvy travelers should also account for total trip expenses before making the drive south. Gas, highway tolls, and long-term airport parking can eat into individual ticket savings, especially for solo travelers.

However, for couples or families flying together, the math almost always heavily favors Chicago. Combining group fare savings with pre-booked economy parking or airport shuttles still leaves hundreds of dollars in travelers' pockets—making the extra time on the road well worth the trip.

The Chicago Solution

The most important data point for Wisconsin travelers is what lies 90 miles south of Milwaukee: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), which averaged $312.18 in 2025—ranking 9th most affordable nationally and $111.37 cheaper per ticket than Milwaukee.

For Milwaukee-area residents, the drive to Midway is under two hours, and the fare savings are substantial. At over $111 per ticket, a family of four saves more than $445 per trip by departing from Midway instead of Mitchell. Chicago O'Hare (ORD, $374.28—37th nationally) is also cheaper than both Wisconsin airports.

For Madison residents, Midway is about 2.5 hours away—and the $179.01-per-ticket savings over Dane County Regional is one of the most dramatic airport-arbitrage opportunities in the country.

This data reflects 2025 averages from the Department of Transportation, released in May 2026. The Milwaukee fare increase of $28.64 in 2025 makes proactive comparison shopping even more important. Knowing how to find cheap flights—and being willing to drive to Chicago—is Wisconsin travelers' most reliable path to managing airfare costs.

To get the most from your next departure, explore how to find cheap flights and unexpected ways to cut travel costs to help stretch your budget further.

To see how every major airport in the country compares—plus the full methodology behind the data—explore the complete U.S. Airport Cost Rankings for 2026.