Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Wisconsin using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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1 / 30#30. North Hudson, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,456
- Population: 3,837
- Median household income: $127,982
- Median home value: $353,100 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,433 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Math & Science Academy (grade A+), St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower School (grade A+), St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Ambrose Catholic School (grade unavailable), St. Croix Catholic School (grade unavailable), Trinity Academy (grade unavailable)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
2 / 30#29. Maple Bluff, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,398
- Population: 1,327
- Median household income: $172,174
- Median home value: $777,000 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,250 (5% rent)
- Top public schools: Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A minus), Emerson Elementary School (grade A minus), East High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A minus)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
3 / 30#28. Hartland, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,367
- Population: 9,599
- Median household income: $82,238
- Median home value: $344,200 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,069 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Country School District (grade A+), High School of Health Sciences (grade A+), Arrowhead High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), St. John's Northwestern Academies (grade A+), University Lake School (grade A+)
Stuart Monk // Shutterstock
4 / 30#27. Germantown, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,362
- Population: 20,885
- Median household income: $101,554
- Median home value: $333,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,263 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Silver Spring Intermediate School (grade A), Germantown High School (grade A minus), County Line Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+)
Jacek Chabraszewski // Shutterstock
5 / 30#26. Delafield, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,329
- Population: 7,181
- Median household income: $99,239
- Median home value: $458,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,370 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Country School District (grade A+), High School of Health Sciences (grade A+), Arrowhead High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), St. John's Northwestern Academies (grade A+), University Lake School (grade A+)
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6 / 30#25. Merton, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,274
- Population: 3,463
- Median household income: $159,577
- Median home value: $481,300 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,050 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: High School of Health Sciences (grade A+), Arrowhead High School (grade A), Silver Spring Intermediate School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), St. John's Northwestern Academies (grade A+), University Lake School (grade A+)
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7 / 30#24. Lannon, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,161
- Population: 1,351
- Median household income: $75,675
- Median home value: $213,300 (85% own)
- Median rent: $576 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Silver Spring Intermediate School (grade A), Templeton Middle School (grade A), Hamilton High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (grade A), Wisconsin Lutheran High School (grade A)
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8 / 30#23. Pewaukee City, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,129
- Population: 15,817
- Median household income: $110,110
- Median home value: $393,100 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,490 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Wisconsin Hills Middle School (grade A+), High School of Health Sciences (grade A+), Pewaukee High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), St. John's Northwestern Academies (grade A+), University Lake School (grade A+)
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9 / 30#22. Sussex, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,041
- Population: 11,549
- Median household income: $105,435
- Median home value: $360,100 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,222 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Marcy Elementary School (grade A), Arrowhead High School (grade A), Silver Spring Intermediate School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), St. John's Northwestern Academies (grade A+), University Lake School (grade A+)
RossHelen // Shutterstock
10 / 30#21. Fitchburg, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,018
- Population: 29,826
- Median household income: $87,253
- Median home value: $377,600 (48% own)
- Median rent: $1,284 (52% rent)
- Top public schools: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), West High School (grade A), Verona Area International School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A minus), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)
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11 / 30#20. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 1,000
- Population: 38,610
- Median household income: $96,986
- Median home value: $312,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,217 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Marcy Elementary School (grade A), Silver Spring Intermediate School (grade A), Templeton Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), University Lake School (grade A+)
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12 / 30#19. Greendale, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 945
- Population: 14,722
- Median household income: $89,684
- Median home value: $273,400 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,152 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: College Park Elementary School (grade A), Greendale High School (grade A), Downtown Montessori Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Marquette University High School (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+), Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (grade A)
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13 / 30#18. Verona, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 898
- Population: 14,040
- Median household income: $109,960
- Median home value: $353,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,407 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Verona Area International School (grade A), Verona Area High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+), St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (grade A)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
14 / 30#17. Waunakee, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 883
- Population: 14,794
- Median household income: $132,305
- Median home value: $442,700 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,179 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Waunakee Intermediate School (grade A), Waunakee Community Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A minus), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
15 / 30#16. Cedarburg, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 767
- Population: 12,213
- Median household income: $79,610
- Median home value: $372,500 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,018 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Parkview Elementary School (grade A+), Westlawn Elementary School (grade A+), Cedarburg High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+), Dominican High School (grade A)
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16 / 30#15. Wind Point, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 717
- Population: 1,688
- Median household income: $143,000
- Median home value: $272,800 (98% own)
- Median rent: $2,156 (2% rent)
- Top public schools: Walden III High School (grade B+), The Real School (grade B), Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: The Prairie School (grade A+), Racine Lutheran High School (grade A minus), St. Catherine's High School (grade B)
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17 / 30#14. Nashotah, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 538
- Population: 1,216
- Median household income: $131,250
- Median home value: $405,700 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,146 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Country School District (grade A+), High School of Health Sciences (grade A+), Arrowhead High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), St. John's Northwestern Academies (grade A+), University Lake School (grade A+)
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock
18 / 30#13. Glendale, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 495
- Population: 13,227
- Median household income: $79,861
- Median home value: $248,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,217 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Maple Dale Elementary School (grade A+), Indian Hill Elementary School (grade A+), Nicolet Union High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Marquette University High School (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+)
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19 / 30#12. Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 487
- Population: 2,085
- Median household income: $116,250
- Median home value: $875,000 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,870 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Memorial High School (grade A), West High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)
Stuart Monk // Shutterstock
20 / 30#11. Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 401
- Population: 47,919
- Median household income: $93,812
- Median home value: $291,600 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,312 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Silver Spring Intermediate School (grade A), East High School (grade A), Roosevelt Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Marquette University High School (grade A+)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
21 / 30#10. Thiensville, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 323
- Population: 3,279
- Median household income: $85,542
- Median home value: $321,400 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,179 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Shore Middle School (grade A+), Steffen Middle School (grade A+), Homestead High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+), Dominican High School (grade A)
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22 / 30#9. River Hills, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 304
- Population: 1,530
- Median household income: $200,625
- Median home value: $677,300 (94% own)
- Median rent: $2,250 (6% rent)
- Top public schools: Maple Dale Elementary School (grade A+), Indian Hill Elementary School (grade A+), Nicolet Union High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Marquette University High School (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+)
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23 / 30#8. Middleton, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 299
- Population: 21,864
- Median household income: $87,333
- Median home value: $438,700 (48% own)
- Median rent: $1,326 (52% rent)
- Top public schools: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Middleton High School (grade A+), Memorial High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)
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24 / 30#7. Fox Point, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 275
- Population: 6,811
- Median household income: $130,865
- Median home value: $382,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,622 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Maple Dale Elementary School (grade A+), Nicolet Union High School (grade A), Bayside Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Marquette University High School (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+)
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock
25 / 30#6. Bayside, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 272
- Population: 4,506
- Median household income: $129,348
- Median home value: $407,100 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,433 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Shore Middle School (grade A+), Donges Bay Elementary School (grade A+), Homestead High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Marquette University High School (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+)
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26 / 30#5. Shorewood, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 177
- Population: 13,707
- Median household income: $87,161
- Median home value: $391,200 (48% own)
- Median rent: $1,214 (52% rent)
- Top public schools: Shorewood High School (grade A+), Lake Bluff Elementary School (grade A), Atwater Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Marquette University High School (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+)
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27 / 30#4. Mequon, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 174
- Population: 25,102
- Median household income: $141,996
- Median home value: $463,800 (84% own)
- Median rent: $2,254 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Lake Shore Middle School (grade A+), Donges Bay Elementary School (grade A+), Steffen Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Marquette University High School (grade A+)
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28 / 30#3. Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 169
- Population: 14,804
- Median household income: $142,356
- Median home value: $466,900 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,262 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Whitefish Bay High School (grade A+), Whitefish Bay Middle School (grade A+), Richards Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: University School of Milwaukee (grade A+), Marquette University High School (grade A+), Eastbrook Academy (grade A+)
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29 / 30#2. Brookfield, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 105
- Population: 41,342
- Median household income: $121,837
- Median home value: $388,600 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,699 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Brookfield East High School (grade A+), Wisconsin Hills Middle School (grade A+), Brookfield Central High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), St. John's Northwestern Academies (grade A+), University Lake School (grade A+)
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30 / 30#1. Elm Grove, Wisconsin
- Overall Rank: 82
- Population: 6,445
- Median household income: $126,996
- Median home value: $433,300 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,424 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Brookfield East High School (grade A+), Wisconsin Hills Middle School (grade A+), Brookfield Central High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (grade A+), St. John's Northwestern Academies (grade A+), Marquette University High School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
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