Madison
Rank: 17
Population: 231,999

Home to the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin system, Madison had the second-strongest combination of low unemployment and high median household income of any city on this list. Madison has 13 beaches on its local lakes. About 90 minutes’ drive from Milwaukee, the city also boasts one of the lowest crime rates among major cities.

Bars: 86
Restaurants: 595
Museums: 12
Libraries: 33
Pro sports teams: 0
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 22
Colleges: 2
Percent with graduate degree: 15.6
Median household income: $78,187
Percent unemployed: 5.4