Quick answer
Wisconsin can be a good place to live in 2027 if its numbers fit your life: the app's top-scoring places have a median home value of $340,700, rent of $1,306/month and household income of $87,971, and the state's violent crime rate (245 per 100k, 2025) is below the median state. Start your research with Mequon, Neenah, Oak Creek.
Median home value
$340,700
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,306/mo
Household income
$87,971
Violent crime / 100k
245
Wisconsin, 2025
Population change
+1.5%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+8.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.9×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mequon, WI | 76 | $485,300 | $2,271 | $147,391 | +0.6% |
| Neenah, WI | 72 | $194,700 | $970 | $73,880 | +0.4% |
| Oak Creek, WI | 71 | $305,100 | $1,397 | $93,120 | +0.5% |
| Fitchburg, WI | 70 | $389,400 | $1,302 | $85,420 | +5.8% |
| Howard, WI | 69 | $286,200 | $1,053 | $84,896 | +1.2% |
| Sun Prairie, WI | 69 | $339,800 | $1,374 | $90,521 | +1.7% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calumet County | 85 | $252,100 | $1,002 | $87,700 | +0.5% |
| Iron County | 75 | $155,200 | $640 | $59,058 | +0.5% |
| Pepin County | 74 | $196,100 | $860 | $74,536 | +0.1% |
| Lafayette County | 73 | $182,100 | $835 | $72,091 | +0.4% |
| St. Croix County | 71 | $349,700 | $1,238 | $102,482 | +1.1% |
| Oconto County | 69 | $212,000 | $796 | $75,886 | +0.7% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wisconsin a Good Place to Live in 2027?
Wisconsin can be a good place to live in 2027 if its numbers fit your life: the app's top-scoring places have a median home value of $340,700, rent of $1,306/month and household income of $87,971, and the state's violent crime rate (245 per 100k, 2025) is below the median state. Start your research with Mequon, Neenah, Oak Creek.
What are the best places to live in Wisconsin?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring Wisconsin cities are Mequon, Neenah, Oak Creek, Fitchburg, Howard, and the top counties are Calumet County, Iron County, Pepin County, Lafayette County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does Wisconsin have a state income tax?
Yes, Wisconsin taxes wage income. Check the state revenue department for current rates and compare property and sales taxes too.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
