RANKINGS
Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as a top community in which to live, work, play, and raise a family. This Midwestern getaway is also growing in recognition as a premier meeting and convention destination. Read on to discover which lists we've topped and why--from being the best in business to creating phenomenal food--and countless criteria in between.
GROWING RECOGNITION FOR GOING GREEN
#9 Public Land Park Score
The Trust for Public Land, May 2017
One of 4 Idyllic Lake Retreats to Explore
Northwest Quarterly, September 2016
The Best Cities on Earth for Biking
Yahoo Travel, June 2015
#2 Best Midwest Cities for Green Commuters
Homeownersinsurance.com, May 2013
#1 Most Compact Mid-Sized City in U.S. (13th in U.S. Overall)
Smartgrowthamerica.org
#1 Greenest City in America
Nerdwallet, April 2014
Madison Leads the Way in Meetings Sustainability
Meetings Focus, February 2014
Madison Named Best Green Town in Wisconsin's 12 Best Towns
Wisconsin Trails, 2013
10 great places to blaze a (bike) trail of good food
USAToday.com, September 2012
Madison Ranked #6 Bike-Friendly City
Bicycling Magazine, June 2012
Madison ranked in Top 12 for Water Conservation
Wyland Foundation, May 2012
A HAPPENING PLACE TO BE HEALTHY
#19 Healthiest Cities in America
Wallethub, February 2017
#1 Best City for an Active Lifestyle
Wallethub, January 2017
#1 Fittest Cities in America
Fitbit, April 2016
Most Bike-Friendly States in the U.S.
Fast Company, May 2014
#3 in Top Ten Healthiest Cities
Livability.com, April 2015
#4 Best Cycling Towns
USAToday Travel, April 2014
Madison Ranked #8 in Happiest, Healthiest Cities in America
Prevention.com, September 2013 and Huffington Post, January 2014
#14 Best Half Marathon in the U.S.
Runner's World Magazine, February 2013
Madison ranked as one of 10 great places to try stand-up paddle boarding
USA Today, August 2012
Madison Ranked 5th most Bikeable City
Walkscore, May 2012
SWEET SPOT FOR SPORTS
#4 Sportiest City in the U.S.
Men’s Health, September 2017
#4 Best Value for Craft Beer and Cycling
Trivago, January 2017
#5 America’s Best College Football Towns
Travel + Leisure, September 2016
America's Best College Football Towns
Travel + Leisure, August 2016
A Silver Lining to Winter: Best U.S. Outdoor Skating Rinks
USA Today Travel, January 13, 2015
#1 in America's 10 Best College Football Towns
USA Today, December 2014
#1 Best College Football Towns
NCAA, September 2014
#7 in Top 50 U.S. Swim Cities
USA Swimming, August 2014
PERFECT PLACE TO LIVE
#10 Safest Big Cities in the U.S.
MSN Money, August 2017
#6 Best City to Celebrate 4th of July
WalletHub, July 2017
#10 Best Small City in the U.S.
Resonance Consultancy Ltd., June 2017
#9 Park Score
Trust for Public Land, May 2017
#1 Best College Town for Dating
datingadvice.com, May 2017
#1 Alternative Cities for Young Professionals to Live
MoveBuddha, March 2017
#1 Most Overlooked Cities in America
DK Eyewitness Travel, March 2017
#2 Super Cool US Cities
Expedia, February 2017
#5 Best State Capitals to Live In
Wallethub, February 2017
#15 Happiest Place to Live in the US
Wallethub, March 2017
#18 Best Places to Spend a Weekend
Thrillist, March 2017
#18 Best U.S. Cities to Live In
US News and World Report, February 2017
#3 America’s Friendliest Cities
Travel + Leisure, November 2016
#4 Best Neighborhoods for Retirees
Movoto, January 2016
Most Underrated Music Cities in America
Thrillist, April 2016
Top City to Move To
U-Haul, February 2016
30 Most Fun Places to Live in the U.S.
U.S. News & World Report, July 2016
#3 in Top 100 Best Places to Live 2016
Livability.com, September 2015
10 U.S. Cities Perfect for a Weekend Getaway
Buzzfeed, July 2015
25 Weekend Getaways Near Chicago
Midwest Living, June 2015
Best Places to Honeymoon Near Chicago
CBS News Chicago, May 2013
Most Livable Cities in America
Forbes, April 20, 2015
10 Most Livable Neighborhoods in the U.S.
AARP, April 16, 2015
5 Reasons Madison, WI Might be the World’s Best Place to Retire
Huffington Post, February 27, 2015
Top 10 Happiest Cities in the World
National Geographic, January 2015
#9 in 10Best Travel-Worthy State Capitols
USA Today, January 2015
Top 10 Things to Do on a Budget
Midwest Living, January 26, 2015
#5 Queerest Cities in America 2015
The Advocate, January 12, 2015
5 Free Things to Do in Madison, Wisconsin
Miami Herald, January 8, 2015
#1 in Top 100 Places to Live
Livability.com, September 2014
"7 reasons why Madison, Wisconsin is the best place to live in America"
Business Insider, September 2014
#1 Best U.S. Cities for Quality of Life
NerdWallet.com, August 2014
#8 in Top Ten Hardest Working Cities
MyLife, July 2014
2013 Great Places in America: Neighborhoods
American Planning Association
People Are Most Satisfied with Life in These 10 U.S. Cities
Business Insider, April 2014
2014 Best of the Midwest Travel
Midwest Living, Spring 2014
#3 in 15 Best Cities for Young Adults
Forbes, January 2014
#5 in Top 100 Best Places to Live
Livability.com, January 2014
#7 in 2014's Gayest Cities in America
Advocate.com, January 2014
#5 in Best of the Midwest Concert Venues
Drake Magazine, January 2014
#5 in Top Ten Places to Live
Liveability.com, November 2013
Madison Gets Perfect Score on Equality Index
Wisconsin Gazette, November 2013
#2 Best Small Cities for Starting Over
Credit Donkey, October 2013
#1 Best Small Cities to Live
Credit Donkey, August 2013
Madison #2 Best City for Recreational Activities
NerdWallet, August 2013
A Best Place to Retire
Huffington Post, April 2013
BEST IN BUSINESS
#7 Best Area for STEM Professionals
WalletHub, January 2017
#2 Best City for Post-Graduation
Glamour, March 2016
#5 America’s Best Cities for Young Professionals
Forbes, August 2016
#7 Best Cities for Young Entrepreneurs
Nerd Wallet, January 2016
#20 Best Places for Meetings and Conferences
Smart Asset.com, November 2016
Wisconsin's Vibrant Metro All-Around Charmer
Meetings Focus, February 2015
#2 City for Young Entrepreneurs
NerdWallet, November 2014
#5 in Cities Winning the Battle for Information Jobs
Forbes, May 2014
#9 in Top 25 Tech Hot Spots
The Atlantic Cities, October 2013
Forbes Best Places for Business & Careers
Forbes 2013, Madison Profile
Madison Ranks 5th for High Tech Jobs
MarketWatch, June 2013
The Best U.S. Cities for Working Women
Co.EXIST, May 2013
Top 7 Cities for Last-Minute Meetings
Smart Meetings, May 2013
Madison ranked 2nd best-run city in America
24/7 Wall St., January 2013
Madison Ranked #2 Best Small Metro College Town
AIER.org, October 2012
Madison Ranked #19 Creative Class Metro City
Atlantic Cities Magazine, July 2012
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, ARTS & ARCHITECTURE
7 Great Hotels on College Campuses
AFAR.com, September 2016
America's Most Beautiful College Campuses
Travel + Leisure, September 2016
Best Places for Artists to Live in the USA
Thrillist, July 2016
UW-Madison Sociology Department Ranks #1 in U.S. Private and Public Universities
U.S. News & World Report
UW-Madison Ranks #13 Nationwide in Public Universities
U.S. News & World Report
Pilgrimage: Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright at Home
Arts & Crafts Homes, March 2014
Madison Ranks 6th in Nation for Students Studying Abroad
Institute for Higher Education, November 2013
FABULOUS FOR FAMILIES
#2 City in the U.S. for Single Moms
Wallethub, March 2016
5 Free Things to Do in Madison, Wisconsin
Associated Press, June 2014
#8 Best City to Raise a Family
Parenting Magazine, July 2012
Madison Children's Museum Ranked 5th-Best Children's Museum in the Nation
Parents Magazine, February 2011
PHENOMENAL AT FOOD
Best Food City in Every State
Thrillist, March 2017
America's Most Historic Food Markets
USA Today, July 2016
Best Food City in Every U.S. State
Thrillist, July 2016
Foodies: Welcome to Flavortown
Going on Faith, July 2016
What’s in Season at the Farmer’s Market
Rachael Ray Show, June 2015
Unlikely Foodie Cities
Fox News, June 2015
Best Craft Beer Week events in May
USA Today, April 17, 2015
UW Students Break Record for Biggest Rice Krispies Treat
NBC News, April 2015
Greatest College Coffee Shops in America
Travel + Leisure, February 2015
Real Food, Real People
Taste & Travel International, Autumn 2014
14 Best Food Museums
MapQuest Discover, November 2014
15 Best New Restaurants in the Midwest
Condé Nast Traveler, September 2014
5 Wine Destinations off the Beaten Path
The Today Show, June 2014
Foodie Cities: Real Estate for the Restaurant Set
Wall Street Journal
10 Best Cities for Food Trucks This Summer
USA Today, May 2014
Finest Farm-to-Table Dining
Four Seasons of Food Blog, February 2014
Madison Named #3 in Best Iconic American Foods
USA Today & 10Best, August 2013
Madison Named Best Foodie Town in Wisconsin's 12 Best Towns
Wisconsin Trails, 2013
#5 Top Foodie Cities in 2013
Livability.com, April 2013
NODS TO OUR NEIGHBORS
Middleton Rated #4 Best Places to Live
CNN Money's list of America's best small towns, August 2009
