Wisconsin
Wisconsin ranks #21 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 64.8/100 and a B grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (73/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (24/100).
How Does Wisconsin Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | Brookfield | A+ | 65.7 | 41,592 | $124,026 | 80.6 | — |
| 87 | Menomonee Falls | A+ | 64.1 | 38,963 | $98,460 | 98.6 | — |
| 149 | New Berlin | A | 61.8 | 40,384 | $97,414 | 52.2 | — |
| 180 | Wauwatosa | A | 60.9 | 47,718 | $93,859 | 176.8 | 95.5 |
| 242 | Madison | B+ | 59.1 | 280,307 | $70,484 | 303.8 | 95.8 |
| 272 | Waukesha | B+ | 58.4 | 70,452 | $81,480 | 152.6 | 90.1 |
| 275 | Eau Claire | B+ | 58.2 | 70,469 | $68,221 | 134.6 | 91.4 |
| 328 | Appleton | B+ | 57.1 | 75,861 | $73,449 | 276 | 93.6 |
| 377 | Greenfield | B | 56.0 | 37,361 | $69,016 | 149.2 | — |
| 381 | Janesville | B | 55.9 | 66,113 | $71,885 | 189.3 | 91.4 |
| 386 | Wausau | B | 55.8 | 39,893 | $61,877 | 415.2 | 90.1 |
| 416 | West Allis | B | 55.0 | 59,588 | $69,685 | 302.5 | 95.5 |
| 430 | Oshkosh | B | 54.7 | 66,184 | $62,155 | 256.3 | 90.7 |
| 442 | Sheboygan | B | 54.3 | 49,812 | $62,953 | 350 | 90.8 |
| 507 | Green Bay | C+ | 52.9 | 105,734 | $66,950 | 388.5 | 92.1 |
| 520 | Kenosha | C+ | 52.6 | 98,210 | $68,885 | 393.7 | 102.6 |
| 521 | Fond du Lac | C+ | 52.6 | 44,491 | $61,620 | 346.5 | 92.8 |
| 551 | La Crosse | C+ | 52.1 | 51,791 | $53,803 | 275.8 | 91.3 |
| 710 | Racine | C | 48.2 | 76,608 | $55,065 | 440.3 | 95 |
| 943 | Milwaukee | D | 39.5 | 561,369 | $52,992 | 1501.7 | 95.5 |
Best Cities in Wisconsin for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Menomonee Falls | 66.2 | 65.5 | 94.9 | 62.9 |
| 2 | Brookfield | 66.0 | 67.5 | 93.3 | 56.2 |
| 3 | New Berlin | 64.2 | 61.9 | 95.8 | 61.6 |
| 4 | Wauwatosa | 63.5 | 66.5 | 77.8 | 69.9 |
| 5 | Eau Claire | 63.5 | 58.8 | 83.5 | 76.3 |
More Midwest States
Wisconsin Rankings Overview
Wisconsin earns an overall grade of B with a composite score of 64.8 out of 100, ranking #21 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (73/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (24/100).
Economy & Employment in Wisconsin
With an unemployment rate of 3% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Wisconsin performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $72,458, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's violent crime rate of 295 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Wisconsin
Wisconsin ranks #25 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #18 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Wisconsin is 78.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 90%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's total tax burden is 8.31% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 7.65%. The effective property tax rate is 1.59% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 5.72%.
Housing & Affordability in Wisconsin
The median home price in Wisconsin is $311,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 93 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
Environment in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has a median air quality index of 37 (EPA AirData), better than the national average. 13% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 25.4 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's population growth rate is +0.4% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +1.1 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 83.1% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Wisconsin
The top-ranked cities in Wisconsin based on our composite scoring are Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, and New Berlin. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wisconsin's overall ranking?
Wisconsin ranks #21 out of 50 states with a composite score of 64.8/100 and a grade of B.
Is Wisconsin a good place to live?
Wisconsin ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 64.8/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Wisconsin?
The violent crime rate in Wisconsin is 295 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Wisconsin's economy compare?
Wisconsin's median household income is $72,458 with an unemployment rate of 3%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Wisconsin?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Wisconsin are Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, and New Berlin.
How does Wisconsin rank for families?
Wisconsin ranks #18 of 50 states for families with a score of 70/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Wisconsin rank for retirees?
Wisconsin ranks #18 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 67/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Wisconsin rank for remote workers?
Wisconsin ranks #14 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 61.9/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.