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Scoring categories
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Rankings are computed from publicly available federal and state government datasets, supplemented by a handful of published indexes (such as the Tax Foundation, Child Care Aware of America and Zillow Research). Figures are used as each source publishes them, including the FBI's own state crime estimates; nothing is synthetic or modeled by us, and every source is cited below.

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS annual averages·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-year·
  • FBI Crime Data Explorer, estimated crimes by state·
  • CDC NCHS U.S. State Life Tables·
  • CDC BRFSS·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (table S2701)·
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  • U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS Broadband Subscriptions·
  • National Park Service API·
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  • U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-year Commuting·
  • FHWA Highway Statistics·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns·
  • EIA residential electricity prices·
  • EIA State Energy Data System, motor gasoline prices·
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  • Child Care Aware of America, Price & Supply·
  • Tax Foundation, State Income Tax Rates and Brackets·
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, goods·
  • NCES Common Core of Data (CCD)·
  • EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates·
  • NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33)·
  • BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9)·
  • NASBO Fiscal Survey of States·
  • Census Bureau State Government Finances·
  • Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50·
  • Pew Charitable Trusts, State Pension Funding·
  • S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia·
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES·
  • IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS State-to-State Migration Flows·
  • Zillow Research, Home Values, Rents & Market Metrics·
  • FBI Crime Data Explorer, city police agency reports·
  • CDC PLACES, city health estimates·
  • NOAA U.S. Climate Normals·
  • EPA National Walkability Index
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Home/WI/Best for Remote Workers
Wisconsin · best for remote workers · #12 of 50 states

Best Cities for Remote Workers in Wisconsin

Wisconsin ranks #12 of 50 for remote workers, with a remote workers score of 59.9. Brookfield is its best city for remote workers at 69.9.

See all 50 states for remote workers →

#1 city in WI for remote workers
Brookfield69.9
Remote Workers score out of 100
Wisconsin, all states
#12 of 50
Population
41,273
Open Brookfield →
Cost of living
94.1
BEA RPP · 100 = avg
Broadband
92.3%
Households subscribed · Census ACS
Work from home
11.8%
Census ACS
Tax burden
8.31%
% of income
Outdoor score
24/100
Parks + trails + land

Why Wisconsin Works for Remote Workers

Wisconsin ranks #12 out of 50 for remote workers — a strong option for those whose income isn't tied to local job markets. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. On that front, Wisconsin's cost-of-living index of 94.1 is well below the national average — a remote worker earning a coastal salary here gains significant purchasing power.

The moderate work-from-home rate of 11.8% suggests growing but not yet dominant remote work adoption. Broadband subscriptions reach 92.3% of households, below the 50-state average — check service at a specific address, especially in rural areas.

Taxes are moderate at 8.31% of income — not a major draw but not a dealbreaker. Housing affordability (score: 70/100) is a clear advantage — the typical home is worth $339,699, a manageable ratio for most remote salaries.

All 20 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers

#  CityGradeRemote Workers scoreOverallAffordabilityEconomyPopulation
1BrookfieldA+69.971.8588241,273
2WauwatosaA+68.668.3687148,529
3Menomonee FallsA+68.368.6687039,539
4AppletonA66.163.0806175,023
5WaukeshaA65.964.5726371,233
6New BerlinA65.566.1677140,270
7MadisonA65.165.76763278,001
8West AllisB+64.562.0795059,612
9JanesvilleB+63.761.6795666,030
10GreenfieldB+63.462.8745437,345
11OshkoshB+62.760.4835466,729
12WausauB+62.561.8835539,996
13SheboyganB61.558.3835349,645
14Eau ClaireB+60.860.8795670,322
15Fond du LacB60.856.5845144,494
16Green BayB60.456.88255106,253
17La CrosseB59.657.2815051,356
18KenoshaB59.656.9735399,372
19RacineC+59.153.2814277,633
20MilwaukeeD53.645.07941566,973

City remote workers 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.

Compare: States with Similar Remote Workers Rankings

  • VermontRemote Workers score 70.3#7
  • New HampshireRemote Workers score 67.7#8
  • NebraskaRemote Workers score 67.2#9
  • IowaRemote Workers score 63.9#10

Also See: Wisconsin for Other Lifestyles

  • FamiliesFamilies score 81.6#4
  • RetireesRetirees score 72.5#13
  • Young ProfessionalsYoung Professionals score 63.5#12
  • Small BusinessSmall Business score 68.2#11
  • Outdoor EnthusiastsOutdoor Enthusiasts score 50.4#22

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wisconsin a good state for remote workers?

Wisconsin ranks #12 out of 50 for remote workers with a persona-weighted score of 59.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (82/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (24/100).

What is the best city for remote workers in Wisconsin?

Brookfield ranks #1 in Wisconsin for remote workers with a score of 69.9/100, followed by Wauwatosa and Menomonee Falls.

What factors are most important for remote workers in Wisconsin?

Rankings weighted toward affordable cost of living, strong economy, outdoor access, livability, low taxes, and safe communities — what remote workers prioritize when choosing where to live.