Rankings and Accolades 

What does one of the world’s happiest cities look like? One of America’s fittest, most walkable, and best places to live? A place for business and pleasure? It looks like Madison, Wisconsin. See where we rank.

Jump around to find your favorite rankings.

• Sustainability
• Culinary
• Health
• Livability
• Sports
• Business
• Education and Arts
• Families
• More

LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY

#8 Greenest City in the U.S.
EcoCation (2025)

#15 Most Green City in the U.S.
WalletHub (2025)

The 25 Greenest Cities in the U.S.
The Discoverer (2022)

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TOP CHEFS & CULINARY CULTURE

#8 Best Beer Festivals
USA Today 10Best (2023)

Top 5 Best Drinking Cities in the World
Punch (2023)

#5 Best Gluten Free Beer
USA Today 10Best (2023)

#2 Best Cities for Cheese Lovers
Money Talks News (2023)

#2 Best Cities for Cheese Lovers
Lawn Starter (2023)

#74 Best Foodie Cities in America
WalletHub (2023)

#7 America's Best Cities for Cheese Lovers
The Populist (2022)

16 Best Veggie Burgers in America
Tasting Table (2022)

#1 Best U.S. Cities for Living Sober
allsober.com (2022)

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HEALTH & WELLNESS-WORTHY

#7 Happiest City in America
Fortune (2025)

World's Best Cities: Wellness
National Geographic (2024)

#5 Fittest City in the U.S.
American Fitness Index (2024)

#8 Best City for an Active Lifestyle
WalletHub (2024)

#5 Best Place in the U.S. for Allergy Sufferers
WTOP News (2023)

#20 Most Active Cities in the Country
USA Today (2021)

Gold Rated for Walkability
Walk Friendly Communities (2021)

#5 Fittest Cities in the U.S.
Men's Health (2021)

#18 Mental Healthiest Cities in the U.S.
Men’s Health (2021)

#4 Happiest Cities in America
thrillist.com (2021)

#9 Best Cities for Runners
smartasset.com (2020)

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PERFECT PLACE TO LIVE

#2 Best State Capitals for Safety
WalletHub (2024)

#6 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for Quality of Life
U.S. News & World Report (2024-25)

#1 Most Courteous City in Each State
msn.com (2024)

#7 Best Cities for Singles
Time Out (2024)

#8 Best Cities for Singles
WalletHub (2024)

#2 in US for Pedestrian Safety
Smart Growth American + National Complete Streets Coalition (2024)

#4 Happiest Cities in America
WalletHub (2024)

#15 Best Places to Retire
WalletHub (2024)

#1 College Town to Live in After Graduation
Livability (2024)

#5 Best City for College Grads
Apartment Advisor (2024)

#16 Best City for Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions
WalletHub (2024)

Best Mid-Size Town
Midwest Living (2023)

15 Happiest Places to Live in the U.S.
Outside (2023)

#1 Most Neighborly City
NeighborBlog (2023)

#1 Best Places to Live in the U.S.
Livability.com (2022)

#11 in 30 Most Beautiful Cities in the U.S.
Forbes (2022)

Top 8 Little Cities that Think Big
AFAR (2022)

#40 Best Places to Live
Money (2022)

#22 Best American Cities to Live The Good Life in Retirement
The Street (2022)

#6 Best Cities for Single Moms
Lawn Starter (2022)

#15 Best Places to Live in the U.S.
CBS News (2022)

#1 Best Places to Live in the U.S.
Livability.com (2021)

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SWEET SPOT FOR SPORTS

Best College Towns in America
The Points Guy (2022)

#1 Best College Football Town in America
si.com (August 2019)

#4 Sportiest City in the U.S.
Men's Health (September 2017)

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BEST IN BUSINESS

Top 20 U.S. Cities for Remote and On-Site Work
Commercial Search (2024)

#7 Best Cities for STEM Jobs
WalletHub (2025)

#4 Best City for Work/Life Balance & Mental Health
CoworkingCafe (2024)

#27 Top U.S. Cities for Representation of Women in STEM
CommercialCafe (2023)

#7 Best Cities for Young Professionals
SmartAsset (2022)

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EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, ARTS & ARCHITECTURE

#13 Among U.S. Public Universities (UW-Madison)
U.S. News & World Report (2025)

#39 in National Universities (UW-Madison)
U.S. News & World Report (2025)

#5 Most Educated City in America
WalletHub (2024)

Great American Cities for Creatives (That You Can Actually Afford)
Thrillist (2022)

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FABULOUS FOR FAMILIES

#5 Top U.S. Cities for Families
Study Finds (2024)

#10 Most Pet Friendly City in America
Travel + Leisure (2022)

#8 Best Cities for Families to Live In
Bankrate (2022)

#1 Best Places in the U.S. for Raising Children
diversitydatakids.com (January 2020)

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MORE TO LOVE ABOUT MADISON

Coolest Cities to Visit in Each State
The Discoverer (2023)

#7 Coziest Frozen Lake Towns
Fodors (2023)

Best Cities for Veterans
Lawn Starter (2023)

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