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
Greenest City in Wisconsin
Insurify.com, March 2018
#1 Most Compact Mid-Sized City in the U.S. (13th overall)
Smart Growth America, April 2014
#1 Greenest City in America
NerdWallet.com, April 2014
#2 Best Midwest Cities for Green Commuters
Homeownersinsurance.com, May 2013
A HAPPENING PLACE TO BE HEALTHY
#6 Best City for an Active Lifestyle
WalletHub.com. January 2018
#2 Most Walkable Cities
Expedia.com, May 2018
#1 Fittest Cities in America
Fitbit, April 2016
#3 in Top Ten Healthiest Cities
Livability.com, April 2015
#4 Best Cycling Towns
USA Today 10 Best, April 2015
Madison Ranked #8 in Happiest, Healthiest Cities in America
Prevention.com, September 2013 and Huffington Post, January 2014
PERFECT PLACE TO LIVE
15 of America's Best Fall Foliage Trips
TripAdvisor.com, September 2018
One of the Best Small Cities in America
National Geographic, January 2018
#7 Top 100 Places to Live
Livability.com, January 2018
#2 Best Capital Cities to Live in
WalletHub.com, February 2018
Top 10 Best City for Recent College Grads
Livability.com, May 2018
#1 Best Cities to Live In if You're Young and Broke
MagnifyMoney.com, May 2018
#1 Nicest Cities in America
Cheatsheet.com, June 2018
#1 for Quality of Life and Industry Diversity
Business Facilities Magazine, July 2018
#3 Top U.S. Metros for Millennials
ApartmentList.com, September 2018
#1 Best Cities for Renters
SmartAsset.com, September 2018
#1 Most Caring Cities in America
WalletHub.com, December 2017
#1 Best College Town for Dating
DatingAdvice.com, May 2017
#5 Queerest Cities in America 2015
The Advocate, January 2015
#1 Best U.S. Cities for Quality of Life
NerdWallet.com, August 2014
SWEET SPOT FOR SPORTS
#3 Best Cities for Runners
SmartAsset.com, April 2018
#6 Best U.S. Cities for Biking
peopleforbikes.org, May 2018
#1 on 8 Surprisingly Bike Friendly Cities
Livability.com, August 2018
#4 Sportiest City in the U.S.
Men's Health, September 2017
BEST IN BUSINESS
#6 Best Areas for STEM Professionals
WalletHub.com, January 2018
#10 Best Run Cities
WalletHub.com, July 2018
#2 10 Best Cities to Start Your New Career
Zippia.com, August 2018
#9 Best U.S. Cities to Find a Job
TheStreet.com, August 2018
#3 10 Cities Where Women Are the Most Successful
SmartAsset.com, September 2018
#2 Best City for Post-Graduation
Glamour, March 2016
#5 America's Best Cities for Young Professionals
Forbes, August 2016
#2 City for Young Entrepreneurs
NerdWallet.com, November 2014
#5 in Cities Winning the Battle for Information Jobs
Forbes, May 2014
#9 in Top 25 Tech Hot Spots
CityLab.com, October 2013
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, ARTS & ARCHITECTURE
25 Best College Hotels in the U.S.
VacationIdea.com, August 2018
Most Educated City in Wisconsin
Insurify.com, July 2018
#15 Best Public Schools in the U.S.
US News, September 2018
#4 25 Best Green Colleges in the United States
CollegeConsensus.com, October 2018
Madison Ranks 6th in Nation for Students Studying Abroad
Institute of International Education, November 2013
FABULOUS FOR FAMILIES
#4 10 Best Cities to Raise a Family in the U.S.
TheBalance.com, June 2018
#1 Best Cities to Raise a Family
Zumper.com, August 2018
#6 for 7 Best Cities to Live When You're Pregnant
Insider, October 2018
#12 Best Cities for Millennial Families
ValuePenguin.com, October 2018
PHENOMENAL AT FOOD
#4 Best Beer Destination in the World
VinePair.com, January 2018
#2 Best Beer Festival
USA Today 10 Best, March 2018
Most Under-the-Radar Cities in America
Expedia.com, August 2018
#20 Best Cities for Vegans & Vegetarians
WalletHub.com, October 2018
