Best Cities for Families in Wisconsin
Wisconsin ranks #4 of 50 for families, with a families score of 81.6. Brookfield is its best city for families at 72.6.
- Wisconsin, all states
- #4 of 50
- Population
- 41,273
Why Wisconsin Works for Families
Wisconsin is one of the very best state for families, ranking #4 out of 50. With excellent schools, a low violent crime rate of 240.3 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $77,488, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs are notably affordable with a cost-of-living index of 94.1.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Wisconsin delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 90.3%, above the national average. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 77/100. At $18,604 a year for center-based infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Wisconsin performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 240.3 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 94.1, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Brookfield | A+ | 72.6 | 71.8 | 68 | 97 | 58 | 41,273 |
| 2Wauwatosa | A+ | 71.0 | 68.3 | 67 | 79 | 68 | 48,529 |
| 3Menomonee Falls | A+ | 70.6 | 68.6 | 66 | 98 | 68 | 39,539 |
| 4Waukesha | A | 69.4 | 64.5 | 61 | 93 | 72 | 71,233 |
| 5New Berlin | A | 69.2 | 66.1 | 62 | 99 | 67 | 40,270 |
| 6Madison | A | 68.5 | 65.7 | 65 | 80 | 67 | 278,001 |
| 7Greenfield | B+ | 68.2 | 62.8 | 68 | 84 | 74 | 37,345 |
| 8Wausau | B+ | 68.1 | 61.8 | 71 | 85 | 83 | 39,996 |
| 9Appleton | A | 68.0 | 63.0 | 58 | 88 | 80 | 75,023 |
| 10West Allis | B+ | 67.8 | 62.0 | 66 | 83 | 79 | 59,612 |
| 11Janesville | B+ | 66.5 | 61.6 | 67 | 88 | 79 | 66,030 |
| 12Oshkosh | B+ | 66.1 | 60.4 | 67 | 81 | 83 | 66,729 |
| 13Eau Claire | B+ | 65.0 | 60.8 | 59 | 83 | 79 | 70,322 |
| 14Sheboygan | B | 64.9 | 58.3 | 64 | 74 | 83 | 49,645 |
| 15Kenosha | B | 64.3 | 56.9 | 64 | 81 | 73 | 99,372 |
| 16La Crosse | B | 63.8 | 57.2 | 73 | 54 | 81 | 51,356 |
| 17Fond du Lac | B | 63.2 | 56.5 | 66 | 68 | 84 | 44,494 |
| 18Green Bay | B | 62.7 | 56.8 | 66 | 70 | 82 | 106,253 |
| 19Racine | C+ | 62.6 | 53.2 | 58 | 71 | 81 | 77,633 |
| 20Milwaukee | D | 51.1 | 45.0 | 42 | 26 | 79 | 566,973 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Wisconsin for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wisconsin a good state for families?
Wisconsin ranks #4 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 81.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (82/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (24/100).
What is the best city for families in Wisconsin?
Brookfield ranks #1 in Wisconsin for families with a score of 72.6/100, followed by Wauwatosa and Menomonee Falls.
What factors are most important for families in Wisconsin?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.