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State index

Wisconsin state guide

Compare large Wisconsin cities by 2025 Census population, young-grad fit, BLS state unemployment, schooling access, cost pressure, commute, and safety-check notes. The current Wisconsin subset includes 155 Midwest city pages with a combined 2025 population estimate of 3,766,495.

What the current Wisconsin catalog shows

Cottage Grove, Wisconsin has the strongest verified population-growth signal in this Wisconsin subset at +22.38% since the 2020 estimates base. Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin has the lowest ACS rent-to-income baseline among the matched catalog cities at 10.2%. These figures describe the WhereToLive.us city subset, not a statewide average.

Catalog cities 155

155 have matched ACS place data.

Catalog median rent $1,107

Median of matched city ACS gross-rent estimates; not a statewide rent.

Catalog median income $81,948

Median of matched city ACS household-income estimates; not a statewide income.

Catalog median home value $266,900

Median of matched city ACS owner-occupied home values.

Average grad fit 71/100

Verona, Wisconsin leads this subset at 85/100.

Catalog median commute 22.6 min

Median of matched city approximate ACS commute estimates.

City Catalog Grad fit Median rent Median income 2025 population City unemployment Growth Jobs Cost
Milwaukee, Wisconsin #31 60/100 $1,059 $54,234 562,407 6.2% -2.68% competitive rent stretched
Madison, Wisconsin #77 76/100 $1,413 $78,050 286,233 2.7% +4.22% competitive rent watch
Green Bay, Wisconsin Wisconsin coverage 66/100 $932 $66,206 106,675 3.7% -0.64% competitive rent-friendly
Kenosha, Wisconsin Wisconsin coverage 66/100 $1,186 $71,239 99,239 4.5% -0.77% competitive rent watch
Racine, Wisconsin Wisconsin coverage 63/100 $1,033 $57,740 77,908 6.1% -0.55% competitive rent watch
Appleton, Wisconsin Wisconsin coverage 71/100 $1,030 $80,483 75,452 3.5% -0.29% competitive rent-friendly
Eau Claire, Wisconsin Wisconsin coverage 73/100 $1,045 $67,395 72,465 3.4% +4.36% competitive rent watch
Waukesha, Wisconsin Wisconsin coverage 70/100 $1,219 $83,837 70,872 2.7% -0.41% competitive rent-friendly
Oshkosh, Wisconsin Wisconsin coverage 67/100 $935 $62,188 67,460 2.8% +0.84% competitive rent-friendly
Janesville, Wisconsin Wisconsin coverage 68/100 $1,054 $73,446 66,929 4.1% +1.97% competitive rent-friendly
West Allis, Wisconsin 2025 population #675 68/100 $1,007 $67,611 60,119 4.1% -0.36% competitive rent-friendly
La Crosse, Wisconsin 2025 population #807 63/100 $1,010 $55,866 50,784 3.7% -3.62% competitive rent watch
Sheboygan, Wisconsin 2025 population #837 65/100 $924 $62,927 49,376 2.7% -1.09% competitive rent-friendly
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 2025 population #850 74/100 $1,438 $101,138 48,649 2.1% +0.55% competitive rent-friendly
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 2025 population #934 66/100 $913 $62,260 44,541 4.4% -0.44% competitive rent-friendly
Brookfield, Wisconsin 2025 population #997 72/100 $1,886 $129,548 41,448 2.5% -0.05% competitive rent-friendly
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 2025 population #1002 79/100 $1,313 $100,238 41,291 1.9% +7.19% competitive rent-friendly
Wausau, Wisconsin 2025 population #1036 68/100 $1,010 $64,389 40,188 4.9% +0.45% competitive rent watch
New Berlin, Wisconsin 2025 population #1043 69/100 $1,426 $101,091 39,953 2.2% -1.21% competitive rent-friendly
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin 2025 population #1061 81/100 $1,419 $90,942 39,227 2.3% +9.03% competitive rent watch
Oak Creek, Wisconsin 2025 population #1093 76/100 $1,452 $96,555 38,296 1.3% +4.90% competitive rent-friendly
Greenfield, Wisconsin 2025 population #1121 64/100 $1,170 $70,459 37,159 2.5% -1.67% competitive rent watch
Franklin, Wisconsin 2025 population #1135 72/100 $1,458 $106,894 36,687 3.4% +1.50% competitive rent-friendly
Beloit, Wisconsin 2025 population #1137 63/100 $1,066 $62,663 36,649 5.3% -0.14% competitive rent watch
Manitowoc, Wisconsin 2025 population #1201 67/100 $804 $63,757 34,671 3.7% +0.10% competitive rent-friendly
Fitchburg, Wisconsin 2025 population #1206 82/100 $1,373 $86,516 34,615 1.9% +11.72% competitive rent watch
West Bend, Wisconsin 2025 population #1284 70/100 $1,076 $74,076 32,268 3.2% +1.68% competitive rent-friendly
Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin 2025 population #1428 71/100 $1,127 $91,616 28,253 4.5% +1.85% competitive rent-friendly
Neenah, Wisconsin 2025 population #1459 71/100 $1,006 $75,374 27,638 2.2% +1.14% competitive rent-friendly
Superior, Wisconsin 2025 population #1534 68/100 $900 $64,216 26,397 3.2% -1.33% competitive rent-friendly
Stevens Point, Wisconsin 2025 population #1535 71/100 $890 $58,031 26,377 4.4% +2.79% competitive rent watch
Muskego, Wisconsin 2025 population #1579 73/100 $1,313 $112,221 25,602 2.0% +2.22% competitive rent-friendly
De Pere, Wisconsin 2025 population #1580 70/100 $1,053 $84,869 25,590 1.7% +0.71% competitive rent-friendly
Caledonia, Wisconsin 2025 population #1606 68/100 $1,141 $93,152 25,229 3.2% -0.39% competitive rent-friendly
Mequon, Wisconsin 2025 population #1616 72/100 $2,157 $144,051 25,120 2.6% -0.11% competitive rent-friendly
Middleton, Wisconsin 2025 population #1725 77/100 $1,437 $89,524 23,115 3.0% +5.69% competitive rent watch
Watertown, Wisconsin 2025 population #1749 64/100 $1,052 $70,107 22,704 5.3% -1.20% competitive rent-friendly
Howard, Wisconsin 2025 population #1782 81/100 $1,102 $85,477 22,233 2.5% +11.40% competitive rent-friendly
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin 2025 population #1812 74/100 $1,458 $103,902 21,798 3.6% +2.58% competitive rent-friendly
Germantown, Wisconsin 2025 population #1858 71/100 $1,355 $100,231 21,050 2.1% +0.63% competitive rent-friendly
Onalaska, Wisconsin 2025 population #1923 81/100 $1,130 $85,867 20,297 3.4% +7.79% competitive rent-friendly
South Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2025 population #1931 65/100 $1,014 $73,427 20,191 3.6% -2.92% competitive rent-friendly
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 2025 population #1939 82/100 $1,301 $106,425 20,119 2.2% +10.70% competitive rent-friendly
Fox Crossing, Wisconsin 2025 population #2000 72/100 $1,009 $79,187 19,320 1.0% +1.76% competitive rent-friendly
Marshfield, Wisconsin 2025 population #2030 67/100 $842 $58,407 18,980 2.8% +0.23% competitive rent-friendly
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin 2025 population #2054 63/100 $888 $55,253 18,654 6.6% -1.12% competitive rent watch
Kaukauna, Wisconsin 2025 population #2068 76/100 $1,083 $80,365 18,517 3.0% +8.34% competitive rent-friendly
Menasha, Wisconsin 2025 population #2078 66/100 $903 $64,698 18,385 3.2% +0.69% competitive rent-friendly
River Falls, Wisconsin 2025 population #2119 82/100 $1,107 $83,627 17,916 3.3% +10.64% competitive rent-friendly
Cudahy, Wisconsin 2025 population #2144 63/100 $1,028 $66,719 17,655 2.4% -3.01% competitive rent watch
Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin 2025 population #2169 72/100 $964 $69,667 17,398 2.8% +2.48% competitive rent-friendly
Verona, Wisconsin 2025 population #2227 85/100 $1,605 $119,606 16,821 1.6% +20.78% competitive rent-friendly
Bellevue, Wisconsin 2025 population #2233 76/100 $1,154 $84,672 16,776 2.1% +5.29% competitive rent-friendly
Menomonie, Wisconsin 2025 population #2243 68/100 $970 $56,889 16,664 5.8% -1.12% competitive rent watch
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 2025 population #2257 64/100 $959 $66,673 16,542 3.7% -1.12% competitive rent-friendly
Waunakee, Wisconsin 2025 population #2273 83/100 $1,324 $125,220 16,411 1.4% +10.13% competitive rent-friendly
Pewaukee, Wisconsin 2025 population #2277 76/100 $1,622 $108,350 16,375 2.6% +2.76% competitive rent-friendly
Whitewater, Wisconsin 2025 population #2308 63/100 $1,041 $54,969 16,038 5.3% -0.64% competitive rent watch
Hartford, Wisconsin 2025 population #2311 71/100 $1,110 $82,014 16,005 2.8% +2.29% competitive rent-friendly
Weston, Wisconsin 2025 population #2316 68/100 $1,024 $78,207 15,931 1.7% +1.29% competitive rent-friendly
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin 2025 population #2382 69/100 $910 $57,873 15,293 4.0% +3.81% competitive rent watch
Hudson, Wisconsin 2025 population #2402 72/100 $1,359 $93,937 15,019 3.5% +1.84% competitive rent-friendly
Glendale, Wisconsin 2025 population #2429 82/100 $1,432 $78,092 14,795 3.1% +10.29% competitive rent watch
Harrison, Wisconsin 2025 population #2467 83/100 $1,422 $121,504 14,492 2.8% +16.69% competitive rent-friendly
Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin 2025 population #2468 69/100 $1,335 $157,109 14,489 2.6% -3.10% competitive rent-friendly
Greendale, Wisconsin 2025 population #2476 67/100 $1,252 $94,769 14,426 2.1% -2.89% competitive rent-friendly
Plover, Wisconsin 2025 population #2494 78/100 $1,089 $88,042 14,274 3.5% +5.65% competitive rent-friendly
Salem Lakes, Wisconsin 2025 population #2495 62/100 $1,184 $94,819 14,271 4.2% -2.27% competitive rent-friendly
Allouez, Wisconsin 2025 population #2555 67/100 $1,114 $91,250 13,838 2.0% -2.29% competitive rent-friendly
Shorewood, Wisconsin 2025 population #2602 66/100 $1,347 $86,726 13,474 3.2% -2.74% competitive rent watch
Grafton, Wisconsin 2025 population #2614 82/100 $1,310 $89,861 13,389 2.4% +10.90% competitive rent-friendly
Greenville, Wisconsin 2025 population #2615 78/100 $1,214 $117,977 13,388 0.8% +5.53% competitive rent-friendly
Stoughton, Wisconsin 2025 population #2640 71/100 $1,157 $79,551 13,256 1.9% +0.65% competitive rent-friendly
Baraboo, Wisconsin 2025 population #2647 72/100 $940 $69,750 13,224 2.9% +5.35% competitive rent-friendly
Suamico, Wisconsin 2025 population #2652 74/100 $1,188 $118,337 13,153 2.7% +2.63% competitive rent-friendly
DeForest, Wisconsin 2025 population #2659 82/100 $1,442 $106,419 13,094 2.4% +21.14% competitive rent-friendly
Cedarburg, Wisconsin 2025 population #2691 79/100 $1,116 $84,896 12,916 2.1% +6.50% competitive rent-friendly
Brown Deer, Wisconsin 2025 population #2701 74/100 $1,183 $93,974 12,821 5.0% +2.90% competitive rent-friendly
Sussex, Wisconsin 2025 population #2710 84/100 $1,369 $119,041 12,779 3.1% +10.11% competitive rent-friendly
Port Washington, Wisconsin 2025 population #2726 73/100 $1,008 $81,948 12,658 1.7% +2.49% competitive rent-friendly
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 2025 population #2773 63/100 $961 $79,302 12,388 4.5% -1.66% competitive rent-friendly
Holmen, Wisconsin 2025 population #2819 80/100 $1,175 $79,899 12,105 0.3% +13.42% competitive rent-friendly
Oregon, Wisconsin 2025 population #2831 80/100 $1,221 $102,978 12,015 2.2% +7.38% competitive rent-friendly
Platteville, Wisconsin 2025 population #2863 65/100 $863 $43,083 11,815 4.9% -0.18% competitive rent stretched
Little Chute, Wisconsin 2025 population #2867 71/100 $1,150 $87,538 11,800 2.4% +1.44% competitive rent-friendly
Richfield, Wisconsin 2025 population #2869 72/100 $1,388 $143,963 11,785 1.3% +0.35% competitive rent-friendly
Hobart, Wisconsin 2025 population #2884 85/100 $1,278 $103,440 11,674 0.5% +14.18% competitive rent-friendly
Two Rivers, Wisconsin 2025 population #2957 65/100 $780 $57,222 11,222 1.7% -0.36% competitive rent-friendly
Marinette, Wisconsin 2025 population #2971 67/100 $807 $58,638 11,168 3.8% +0.44% competitive rent-friendly
Lisbon, Wisconsin 2025 population #2977 80/100 $1,371 $123,720 11,150 3.0% +7.91% competitive rent-friendly
Waupun, Wisconsin 2025 population #2978 62/100 $951 $65,625 11,150 2.4% -3.59% competitive rent-friendly
New Richmond, Wisconsin 2025 population #3008 79/100 $1,168 $88,157 10,988 2.9% +8.88% competitive rent-friendly
Burlington, Wisconsin 2025 population #3013 67/100 $999 $83,419 10,951 3.2% -0.86% competitive rent-friendly
Hartland, Wisconsin 2025 population #3057 81/100 $1,230 $87,754 10,740 4.8% +13.08% competitive rent-friendly
Reedsburg, Wisconsin 2025 population #3079 74/100 $977 $75,028 10,641 2.6% +5.95% competitive rent-friendly
Monroe, Wisconsin 2025 population #3092 65/100 $862 $69,334 10,581 4.3% -0.82% competitive rent-friendly
Windsor, Wisconsin 2025 population #3207 82/100 $1,375 $120,048 10,085 1.4% +15.17% competitive rent-friendly
Elkhorn, Wisconsin 2025 population #3216 66/100 $1,034 $77,649 10,045 1.3% -2.07% competitive rent-friendly
Sparta, Wisconsin 2025 population #3228 66/100 $861 $64,973 9,974 4.2% -0.53% competitive rent-friendly
Portage, Wisconsin 2025 population #3234 56/100 $1,008 $64,722 9,956 3.7% -6.00% competitive rent watch
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 2025 population #3243 68/100 $1,097 $59,926 9,917 3.2% +2.69% competitive rent watch
Shawano, Wisconsin 2025 population #3283 72/100 $819 $57,490 9,693 0.9% +4.78% competitive rent-friendly
Tomah, Wisconsin 2025 population #3300 65/100 $903 $51,274 9,600 4.3% +0.61% competitive rent watch
Merrill, Wisconsin 2025 population #3349 67/100 $771 $53,148 9,389 4.2% +0.37% competitive rent-friendly
Altoona, Wisconsin 2025 population #3357 81/100 $1,285 $84,552 9,376 2.8% +13.13% competitive rent watch
Delavan, Wisconsin 2025 population #3405 75/100 $1,094 $65,357 9,228 3.3% +8.50% competitive rent watch
McFarland, Wisconsin 2025 population #3425 74/100 $1,458 $97,500 9,145 3.4% +1.81% competitive rent-friendly
St. Francis, Wisconsin 2025 population #3472 63/100 $1,004 $57,368 8,955 2.9% -2.22% competitive rent watch
Cottage Grove, Wisconsin 2025 population #3479 84/100 $1,531 $139,313 8,930 0.9% +22.38% competitive rent-friendly
Rice Lake, Wisconsin 2025 population #3495 62/100 $856 $52,417 8,882 3.2% -1.96% competitive rent watch
Plymouth, Wisconsin 2025 population #3512 65/100 $914 $68,038 8,821 4.5% -1.35% competitive rent-friendly
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 2025 population #3513 75/100 $1,389 $75,629 8,818 4.3% +6.36% competitive rent watch
Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin 2025 population #3548 74/100 $883 $71,477 8,687 4.0% +5.93% competitive rent-friendly
Monona, Wisconsin 2025 population #3553 73/100 $1,275 $87,773 8,664 2.5% +0.55% competitive rent-friendly
Mukwonago, Wisconsin 2025 population #3585 73/100 $1,142 $98,273 8,544 4.5% +3.64% competitive rent-friendly
Kronenwetter, Wisconsin 2025 population #3623 69/100 $1,125 $115,044 8,413 1.2% +0.86% competitive rent-friendly
Jackson, Wisconsin 2025 population #3649 75/100 $1,151 $93,170 8,322 1.5% +5.72% competitive rent-friendly
Rhinelander, Wisconsin 2025 population #3677 64/100 $804 $51,421 8,242 1.0% -0.59% competitive rent watch
Somers, Wisconsin 2025 population #3702 65/100 $1,455 $80,488 8,171 8.4% -2.84% competitive rent watch
Antigo, Wisconsin 2025 population #3727 66/100 $683 $45,520 8,060 4.5% -0.31% competitive rent-friendly
Ashland, Wisconsin 2025 population #3762 70/100 $753 $54,529 7,927 3.7% +0.18% competitive rent-friendly
Jefferson, Wisconsin 2025 population #3805 66/100 $1,071 $79,006 7,814 2.7% +0.33% competitive rent-friendly
Hales Corners, Wisconsin 2025 population #3826 69/100 $1,335 $87,740 7,740 2.3% +0.30% competitive rent watch
Ripon, Wisconsin 2025 population #3827 65/100 $775 $54,763 7,738 2.7% -1.56% competitive rent-friendly
New London, Wisconsin 2025 population #3834 71/100 $837 $60,612 7,726 2.8% +5.00% competitive rent-friendly
Mount Horeb, Wisconsin 2025 population #3835 70/100 $1,240 $107,856 7,725 3.6% -0.39% competitive rent-friendly
Kimberly, Wisconsin 2025 population #3881 71/100 $1,161 $70,451 7,556 2.8% +3.34% competitive rent watch
Vernon, Wisconsin 2025 population #3910 69/100 $1,125 $120,000 7,464 1.4% -0.12% competitive rent-friendly
Lake Hallie, Wisconsin 2025 population #3932 73/100 $1,223 $86,740 7,396 1.4% +2.95% competitive rent-friendly
Delafield, Wisconsin 2025 population #3970 72/100 $1,457 $94,806 7,314 1.5% +1.74% competitive rent watch
Rib Mountain, Wisconsin 2025 population #3980 71/100 $1,290 $94,294 7,280 5.4% -0.40% competitive rent-friendly
Sturtevant, Wisconsin 2025 population #4122 63/100 $981 $92,647 6,852 5.8% -0.85% competitive rent-friendly
Lake Mills, Wisconsin 2025 population #4183 79/100 $1,209 $91,027 6,655 2.4% +6.94% competitive rent-friendly
Fox Point, Wisconsin 2025 population #4210 66/100 $1,726 $141,467 6,583 0.4% -5.01% competitive rent-friendly
Slinger, Wisconsin 2025 population #4248 79/100 $1,022 $101,404 6,495 5.5% +8.18% competitive rent-friendly
Bloomfield, Wisconsin 2025 population #4293 63/100 $1,265 $98,068 6,369 3.7% -0.96% competitive rent-friendly
Elm Grove, Wisconsin 2025 population #4298 70/100 $1,900 $158,016 6,354 0.7% -2.50% competitive rent-friendly
Waupaca, Wisconsin 2025 population #4299 66/100 $783 $52,727 6,352 5.6% +0.84% competitive rent-friendly
Twin Lakes, Wisconsin 2025 population #4303 65/100 $870 $86,222 6,338 4.0% +0.40% competitive rent-friendly
Edgerton, Wisconsin 2025 population #4373 71/100 $961 $72,489 6,121 4.1% +3.08% competitive rent-friendly
Waterford, Wisconsin 2025 population #4405 76/100 $1,374 $82,404 6,025 2.1% +8.52% competitive rent watch
Milton, Wisconsin 2025 population #4406 74/100 $930 $85,959 6,024 0.9% +5.37% competitive rent-friendly
Evansville, Wisconsin 2025 population #4490 70/100 $1,093 $81,149 5,837 2.6% +2.30% competitive rent-friendly
Rothschild, Wisconsin 2025 population #4582 71/100 $970 $88,261 5,627 0.3% +1.21% competitive rent-friendly
Berlin, Wisconsin 2025 population #4603 66/100 $832 $59,472 5,588 2.3% +0.14% competitive rent-friendly
North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 2025 population #4679 65/100 $1,124 $62,832 5,425 8.2% +1.42% competitive rent watch
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 2025 population #4686 64/100 $795 $54,268 5,408 2.1% -2.26% competitive rent-friendly
Columbus, Wisconsin 2025 population #4692 62/100 $874 $75,427 5,400 4.9% -2.51% competitive rent-friendly
Union Grove, Wisconsin 2025 population #4708 79/100 $1,143 $107,482 5,370 1.2% +11.85% competitive rent-friendly
Summit, Wisconsin 2025 population #4728 83/100 $1,615 $140,682 5,323 0.9% +11.08% competitive rent-friendly
Bristol, Wisconsin 2025 population #4738 70/100 $1,328 $123,648 5,300 5.3% +2.02% competitive rent-friendly
West Salem, Wisconsin 2025 population #4742 71/100 $1,283 $97,019 5,288 3.3% -0.64% competitive rent-friendly
Mayville, Wisconsin 2025 population #4791 67/100 $835 $66,834 5,184 4.3% +0.35% competitive rent-friendly
Dodgeville, Wisconsin 2025 population #4852 71/100 $999 $72,288 5,076 6.6% +1.81% competitive rent-friendly
Richland Center, Wisconsin 2025 population #4891 62/100 $683 $51,932 5,020 4.6% -3.52% competitive rent-friendly