Americans love Wisconsin! And why wouldn’t you? From a top-rated health college to a thriving art culture, the Badger State has got it all.
The median home value for Wisconsin is $286,000. The state scores 75/100 in quality of life. For a rich cultural experience, Milwaukee and Madison are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Also, the state’s cost of living is 2% lower than the national average. Let’s explore the best places to live in Wisconsin.
3 Reasons to Live in Wisconsin 🧀
- Real GDP Growth: The real GDP will increase by approximately 1.8% in 2024.
- Education: Wisconsin ranked among the top 5 in the nation. The state is home to some of the best schools, such as the High School of Health Science, Lakeview Technology Academy, etc.
- Employment Growth: Employment in Wisconsin is expected to increase to 3,300,394 by the second quarter of 2024
7 Best Places to Live in Wisconsin
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Eau Claire | 70,999 | $283,373 | $8,846 | 2.80% | 55/100 |
| 2. | Green Bay | 105,593 | $231,689 | $8,700 | 2.60% | 60/100 |
| 3. | Brookfield | 42,880 | $444,158 | $9,891 | 2.50% | 69/100 |
| 4. | Racine | 194,660 | $172,122 | $8,640 | 3.10% | 55/100 |
| 5. | La Crosse | 140,890 | $233,933 | $8,853 | 2.20% | 63/100 |
| 6. | Appleton | 73,821 | $366,450 | $8,817 | 2.40% | 60/100 |
| 7. | Madison | 73,821 | $359,889 | $9,964 | 2.00% | 70/100 |
1. Eau Claire
| Home Value | ⬆️ 5.9% |
| Median Income | $60,562 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,846 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.80% |
Eau Claire is the best place to live in Wisconsin, with a home value of $283,373. It is home to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, known for its academic programs and research opportunities.
The city has also gained prominence for its vibrant music scene, particularly in the indie and folk genres. The Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival and the Blue Ox Music Festival are famous events for visitors to experience.
» Homes for Sale in Eau Claire, WI: View thousands of properties for sale in Sawdust City.
2. Green Bay
| Home Value | ⬆️ 9.6% |
| Median Income | $55,221 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,700 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.60% |
Green Bay ranks 7 in terms of quality of life, performing particularly well for its short average commute and low risk of natural disasters. It also boasts good air quality and low crime rates.
The city is the best place to live in Wisconsin for retirees. It has an 8% cheaper cost of living than the state average and a 10% lower rate than the federal average.
Additionally, grocery prices in this city are approximately 5% lower than nationwide. It also hosts cultural events like the Green Bay Film Festival, Artigras, etc.
» Homes for Sale in Green Bay, WI: Find your dream home in Bayland.
3. Brookfield
| Home Value | ⬆️ 7.7% |
| Median Income | $110,616 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,891 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.50% |
Brookfield is the best town in Wisconsin to live in. The median home price is $444,353. It offers a variety of residential neighborhoods, ranging from established suburban areas with spacious single-family homes to newer developments.
Brookfield has also experienced a 0.3% increase in the job market. Some of the best companies in this city are Fiserv, Velocity Partners, Symmetry, etc.
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4. Racine
| Home Value | ⬆️ 11.4% |
| Median Income | $48,238 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,640 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.10% |
The median home price in Racine is $172,122. In Racine, the average monthly rent for an apartment is $1,105. However, some variables, such as location, size, and quality, affect the cost of the rent.
Furthermore, the city boasts a flourishing artistic and cultural landscape, which includes the Racine Art Museum, Racine Historical Museum, etc.
» Homes for Sale in Racine, WI: Find your dream home in this beautiful city.
5. La Crosse
| Home Value | ⬆️ 5.4% |
| Median Income | $47,067 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,853 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.20% |
La Crosse is home to the most reputable educational institutions, like the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University, which provide excellent education. Housing in the city is 17% less than the national average.
In addition, the city is renowned for its top-notch medical facilities, which include the prestigious Gundersen Health System and Mayo Clinic Health System.
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6. Appleton
| Home Value | ⬆️ 9.1% |
| Median Income | $68,364 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,817 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.40% |
In Appleton, the typical cost of a house is $253,918. In comparison to the national average, the city has a stronger job market. Unemployment in this town is lower than the national average of 8.7%.
Some of the best companies in this city are Air Wisconsin Airlines, The Boldt Company, Fleet Farm, etc. Moreover, it offers a high quality of life with its diverse economy, quality education, vibrant arts and culture, and abundant outdoor activities such as biking, boating, fishing, etc.
» Homes for Sale in Appleton, WI: View the best properties in Houzeo.
7. Madison
| Home Value | ⬆️ 6.3% |
| Median Income | $70,466 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,964 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.00% |
The state capital of Wisconsin is Madison. The median home price in Madison is $359,889. The city consistently ranks as the best city to live in Wisconsin due to its high quality of life, low crime rates, excellent healthcare facilities, etc.
Some of the best healthcare services provided by the city are DotCom Therapy, Veda Data Solutions, Moxe Health, etc. In addition to this, the cost of living is 3% more than the national average and 5% more than the state average.
» Homes for Sale in Madison, WI: Find your dream home in this capital city.
Best Places to Live in Wisconsin for Young Adults
Here are the best places to live in Wisconsin for young adults:
- Wausau: The average salary in Wausau is $27.09 an hour, or $56346 per year. Over the next ten years, job growth is expected to average 34.1%, higher than the 33.5% US average. Some of the major employers in the city are Greenheck Fan Corporation, Aspirus Health, Liberty Mutual Insurance, etc.
- Milwaukee: The average salary in Milwaukee is $31.55 an hour, or $65633 per year. The city’s job growth is predicted to reach 28.3% over the next ten years. Some of the best companies in the state are Expert Institute, ServiceNow, Formlabs, etc.
Bottom Line
The “Dairyland” of America is one of the best places to live in the US. According to current projections, Wisconsin’s population will reach 6.375 million by 2030, expanding by 19.5% from 2000 to that year.
Wisconsin real estate prices increased 5.6% in January 2024 over the previous year, with a median sale price of $274,700. You must do research before moving to Wisconsin. To start your home search, browse properties online.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with Wisconsin’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in WI
Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in Wisconsin. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Wisconsin and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Wisconsin Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the best cities to live in Wisconsin for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the best places to live in Wisconsin?
Some of the best places to live in Wisconsin include Madison, Green Bay, Eau Claire, and La Crosse.
What are the housing options like in Wisconsin?
Housing options in Wisconsin vary depending on the city or region. You can find everything from condominiums to suburban single-family homes and rural properties.
What are some of the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin?
Some of the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin are Beloit, Marinette, Racine, Merrill, etc.
What are the most affordable cities to live in Wisconsin?
The most affordable cities to live in Wisconsin are La Crosse, Kenosha, Appleton, Janesville etc.
