Rankings

Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as a top community to live, work and play, as well as a premiere sports destination! Read on to discover which lists we've topped. 

#4 Fittest City in the U.S.
ACSM American Fitness Index, July 2020

#2 Fittest Cities in America
Men'sHealth.com, 2019

#5 America's Fittest Cities
American College of Sports Medicine, 2019

#10 Best Cities for Biking
Patch.com, 2019

#4 Best Cities for Runners
SmartAsset.com, 2019

#4 Fittest Cities in America
Reader's Digest, 2018

#2 Most Walkable Cities
Expedia.com, 2018

#6 Best City for an Active Lifestyle
The Fox Magazine, 2018

Madison #1 Most Livable Mid-Sized City        
AARP, 2016

The Most Fitness-Friendly Cities for 2016
SmartAsset.com, 2016

Madison #1 Most Caring Cities in America
WalletHub, December 2016

America’s Best College Football Towns
Travel + Leisure, August 2016

Most Fun Places to Live in the U.S.
U.S. News & World Report, July 2016

Madison #1 Fittest City
Fitbit, April 2016

Top Ten Healthiest Cities
Livability.com, 2015

Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts
SmartAsset.com, December 2015

Madison #1 Top 15 College Towns in the Country
Bleacher Report, May 2015

#1 Best College Football Town
NCAA, September 2014

#7 in Top 50 U.S. Cities
USA Swimming, August 2014 

Most Bike-Friendly States in the U.S.
Fast Company, May 2014 

#4 Best Cycling Towns
USA Today Travel, April 2014 

Travel Active Getaway
Midwest Living, June 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

10 great places to blaze a (bike) trail of good food
USAToday.com, September 2012

Madison ranked as one of 10 great places to try stand-up paddle boarding
USA Today, August 2012

Madison Ranked #6 Bike-Friendly City
Bicycling Magazine, June 2012

Madison Ranked 5th most Bikeable City
Walkscore, May 2012

Madison in Top Ten for Greatest Cycling Cities
USA Today, 2011

#4 in Best Cities for Health Care
The Daily Beast, January 2011

Best City for Men, 2011
Men's Health, December 2010

University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics #5 in adult specialties
U.S. News, April 2010

Madison Rated #7 Most Bike-Friendly City in America 
Bicycling Magazine, April 2010

Madison 8th Healthiest Place for Women
Self Magazine, October 2009

Madison 13th Best Place to Live 
Triathlete Magazine, September 2009