Salary expectations: how do you answer? - 13 weeks in

I have been out of work for 13 weeks and feel pressure to accept less. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. I looked up ranges in Madison and they vary a lot. How do you research fairly?

Benefits matter too. A slightly lower rate with better coverage was better for me.

Check several sources for pay in Madison, then pick a range where the low end is one you can live with.