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.
- Wisconsin, all states
- #12 of 50
- Population
- 41,273
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
| # City | Grade | Remote Workers score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Brookfield | A+ | 69.9 | 71.8 | 58 | 82 | 41,273 |
| 2Wauwatosa | A+ | 68.6 | 68.3 | 68 | 71 | 48,529 |
| 3Menomonee Falls | A+ | 68.3 | 68.6 | 68 | 70 | 39,539 |
| 4Appleton | A | 66.1 | 63.0 | 80 | 61 | 75,023 |
| 5Waukesha | A | 65.9 | 64.5 | 72 | 63 | 71,233 |
| 6New Berlin | A | 65.5 | 66.1 | 67 | 71 | 40,270 |
| 7Madison | A | 65.1 | 65.7 | 67 | 63 | 278,001 |
| 8West Allis | B+ | 64.5 | 62.0 | 79 | 50 | 59,612 |
| 9Janesville | B+ | 63.7 | 61.6 | 79 | 56 | 66,030 |
| 10Greenfield | B+ | 63.4 | 62.8 | 74 | 54 | 37,345 |
| 11Oshkosh | B+ | 62.7 | 60.4 | 83 | 54 | 66,729 |
| 12Wausau | B+ | 62.5 | 61.8 | 83 | 55 | 39,996 |
| 13Sheboygan | B | 61.5 | 58.3 | 83 | 53 | 49,645 |
| 14Eau Claire | B+ | 60.8 | 60.8 | 79 | 56 | 70,322 |
| 15Fond du Lac | B | 60.8 | 56.5 | 84 | 51 | 44,494 |
| 16Green Bay | B | 60.4 | 56.8 | 82 | 55 | 106,253 |
| 17La Crosse | B | 59.6 | 57.2 | 81 | 50 | 51,356 |
| 18Kenosha | B | 59.6 | 56.9 | 73 | 53 | 99,372 |
| 19Racine | C+ | 59.1 | 53.2 | 81 | 42 | 77,633 |
| 20Milwaukee | D | 53.6 | 45.0 | 79 | 41 | 566,973 |
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
Also See: Wisconsin for Other Lifestyles
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.