Three cities in Wisconsin have been recognized as some of the best places to live in the United States, according to the 2024-2025 Best Places to Live report released by U.S. News & World Report. Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee made the list, with Green Bay ranking 12th, Madison ranking 14th, and Milwaukee coming in at 112th.
Naples, Florida, claimed the top spot on the list, thanks to its strong job market and high quality of life. The rankings saw some new appearances in the top 25 from the Midwest and South regions due to a change in data collection, focusing on city-based data rather than metropolitan area-based data.
Erika Giovanetti, a loans expert and reporter for U.S. News, highlighted the importance of incorporating city-based data in the rankings, as it provides a more localized view of the best places to live. The methodology used by U.S. News takes into account factors such as job market, value, quality of life, and desirability, with a stronger emphasis this year on a city’s value and job market.
The rankings were determined based on a variety of data sources, including information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and other U.S. News rankings. Thousands of individuals across the U.S. were surveyed to understand what qualities they value most in a place to live, shaping the criteria used in the rankings.