2 Places in Wisconsin Make Top 10 Cities with Best Quality of Life List
US News & World Report identified the country's most "livable" cities. Two of those cities offering a high quality of life are in the state of Wisconsin.
Quality of Life
No matter how diverse we are as a nation, we all judge the quality of life where we want to live by the same basic principles.
- Amount of crime
- Affordability
- Quality and availability of healthcare
- Quality of education
- How much life is wasted commuting
Judging by this list of cities with the best quality of life from US News & World Report, we now have some more proof that ample outdoor activities and beautiful natural surroundings are also important.
How satisfied are residents with their daily lives in the places they've chosen to lay down roots?
What's their overall happiness?
US News & World Report identified the country's most "livable" cities by weighing all of the factors mentioned above.
Wisconsin is the only state with two cities in the Top 10.
The US Cities with the Best Quality of Life
#10
Trenton, New Jersey
- Quality of life score: 7.3
- Population of the metro area: 384,951
- Average annual salary: $71,600
- Median home price: $344,842
- Median age: 38.9 years old
#9
Rochester, New York
- Quality of life score: 7.3
- Population of the metro area: 1,088,373
- Average annual salary: $56,830
- Median home price: $195,508
- Median age: 40.4 years old
#8
Hartford, Connecticut
- Quality of life score: 7.3
- Population of the metro area: 1,213,324
- Average annual salary: $67,140
- Median home price: $347,842
- Median age: 40.6 years old
#7
Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Quality of life score: 7.3
- Population of the metro area: 326,590
- Average annual salary: $51,510
- Median home price: $278,558
- Median age: 38.9 years old
When football season ends, residents enjoy Green Bay's thriving arts and entertainment scene. The home of the Packers also has many very hike-worthy nature trails.
#6
Boston, Massachusetts
- Quality of life score: 7.3
- Population of the metro area: 4,912,030
- Average annual salary: $76,850
- Median home price: $716,746
- Median age: 38.8 years old
#5
Portland, Maine
- Quality of life score: 7.4
- Population of the metro area: 547,792
- Average annual salary: $57,060
- Median home price: $501,164
- Median age: 43.6 years old
#4
San Jose, California
- Quality of life score: 7.4
- Population of the metro area: 1,995,351
- Average annual salary: $99,430
- Median home price: $1,524,907
- Median age: 37.4 years old
#3
Madison, Wisconsin
- Quality of life score: 7.4
- Population of the metro area: 674,506
- Average annual salary: $59,510
- Median home price: $398,096
- Median age: 36.5 years old
The capital of America's Dairyland, Madison has a thriving food scene. The city's lakes and bike paths also make Madison a great place to live in the warmer months.
#2
Boulder, Colorado
- Quality of life score: 7.7
- Population of the metro area: 328,713
- Average annual salary: $73,360
- Median home price: $881,147
- Median age: 37.2 years old
#1
Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Quality of life score: 7.9
- Population of the metro area: 372,428
- Average annual salary: $61,010
- Median home price: $405,142
- Median age: 34.1 years old
According to US News & World Report, over 90% of Ann Arbor residents live less than a 10-minute walk away from a public park, giving them access to hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. The city's downtown is also a thriving hub for shops and restaurants, as well as craft breweries and distilleries.
Most Livable Cities in Wisconsin
According to US News & World Report, those cities are Green Bay and Madison.
Outrageous Burgers & Bloody Marys at This Wisconsin Pub and Grill
Gallery Credit: Steve Shannon