Living in Madison
Explore Madison
Madison is a great place to live – there’s always something to do!
Overview of Madison
Madison is nationally ranked for our quality of schools, housing affordability, standard of living, and more!
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Outdoor Recreation
Madison’s outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful – from great biking trails to parks around every corner.
Entertainment
There’s always something happening in Madison – from nightlife to street festivals to concerts!
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Moving to Madison
Get to Know Madison
Madison is a wonderful place to live! It has all the amenities of a big city but the ease of living of a small town.
Top-Tier Schools
Madison has wonderful education options for your children. The Madison Metropolitan School District has a four-star rating from the Wisconsin State Department of Public Instruction, and the private Madison Country Day School has an A+ rating on Niche.
Map of Madison area public schools »
Navigating the Real Estate Market
Buying a house in the Madison area is a worthwhile investment. You can find homes in all types of settings: a cute city neighborhood, in the sprawling countryside, and somewhere in between.
Guide to Madison neighborhoods & suburbs »
Madison Rankings
#1 Top 100 Best Places to Live in America
Livability, October 2021
#4 Fittest City in the U.S.
ACSM American Fitness Index, July 2020
Top 10 Best City for Recent College Grads
Livability.com, May 2018
#1 Best Places in the U.S. for Raising Children
diversitydatakids.com, January 2020
#1 Best Cities to Live In if You’re Young and Broke
MagnifyMoney.com, May 2018
#3 Best State Capitals to Live In
wallethub.com February 2020
#1 Cities Where Women Are Most Successful
smartasset.com, April 2019
#3 Top 100 Best Places to Live
Livability.com February 2019
#1 for Quality of Life and Industry Diversity
Business Facilities Magazine, July 2018
One of the Best Small Cities in America
National Geographic, January 2018
#9 Best U.S. Cities to Find a Job
thestreet.com, August 2018
#2 Best Cities for Farmers’ Markets
Better Homes & Gardens, June 2019
#8 Best Areas for STEM Professionals
WalletHub.com, January 2020
#3 Top U.S. Metros for Millennials
ApartmentList.com, September 2018
#1 Cities with the Best Work-Life Balance
smartasset.com January 2020
#8 America’s Best Small Cities
BestCities.org
#2 Best Cities to Start Your New Career
Zippia.com, August 2018
#15 Best Public Schools in the U.S.
US News, September 2018
#2 Best Beer Festival
USA Today 10 Best, March 2018