(WTAQ-WLUK) — Three Wisconsin cities are among the top 100 best places to live in the United States, according to a new study released Monday.
For the past 12 years, Livability.com has published its Best Places to Live list, showcasing the nation’s most vibrant small-to-mid-sized cities. The 2025 report features Green Bay, Appleton and Madison.
Livability’s list is curated by examining data on thousands of U.S. cities. and using an algorithm that takes into account measures of a city’s economy, housing and cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education and health. Cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000 can earn inclusion on the list.
This list is unique in that it does not rank the cities from 1 to 100 “since there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the perfect place to live.”
Appleton earned a Quality of Life LivScore of 704/1000, ranking high for amenities, safety and transportation. Click here to read more.
Madison earned a Quality of Life LivScore of 700/1000, ranking high for amenities, health and economy. Click here to read more.
Green Bay earned a Quality of Life LivScore of 648/1000, ranking high for transportation, amenities and housing/cost of living. Click here to read more.
“Our ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.’ list is a data-driven collection of what we consider to be the best small to mid-sized places to live in. It’s the only list out there truly honing in on affordability, lauding the amazing, accessible cities across the country other than our large U.S. metros, which often get more recognition,” says Amanda Ellis, the editor-in-chief of Livability.com.
As Americans face shifting economic conditions in a year wrought with inflation, evolving work dynamics and a growing desire for a better quality of life, our ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live’ list celebrates the cities where Americans are creating dream careers, building families, launching businesses and leading meaningful lives.
To view the entire list of the study’s top 100 best places to live, click here.

