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
#10 Best Cities for an Active Lifestyle
WalletHub.com. January 2019
#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
Best Place to Live in Wisconsin
Money Magazine, December 2018
#8 America's Best Small Cities
BestCities.org
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
#7 Best Children's Museum in the United States
MommyNearest.com, November 2018
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
