The best suburb in the Madison area, according to data—plus, see the rest of the top 11

marchello74 // Shutterstock

Best suburbs in Madison

The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.

Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023 . But a good location comes with a cost.

A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.

What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.

Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Madison. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.

Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Madison.

Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#11. McFarland, Wisconsin

- Population: 9,104
- Median home value: $338,700
- Median rental price: $1,339

- Top schools nearby: Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), McFarland High School (grade A−), Meadow View Elementary (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Cross Plains, Wisconsin

- Population: 4,053
- Median home value: $336,400
- Median rental price: $1,240

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Middleton High School (grade A+), Glacier Creek Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+), St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (grade A), Westside Christian School (grade unavailable)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#9. Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

- Population: 7,567
- Median home value: $361,100
- Median rental price: $1,453

- Top schools nearby: Sun Prairie East High School (grade A), Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), Monona Grove High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−), Lakeside Lutheran High School (grade B)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#8. Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

- Population: 35,847
- Median home value: $313,200
- Median rental price: $1,313

- Top schools nearby: Sun Prairie East High School (grade A), Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), Prairie View Middle School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−), Wisconsin Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#7. Monona, Wisconsin

- Population: 8,592
- Median home value: $366,600
- Median rental price: $1,150

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), Monona Grove High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#6. Maple Bluff, Wisconsin

- Population: 1,327
- Median home value: $777,000
- Median rental price: $1,250

- Top schools nearby: Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), Emerson Elementary School (grade A−), East High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#5. Fitchburg, Wisconsin

- Population: 29,826
- Median home value: $377,600
- Median rental price: $1,284

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), West High School (grade A), Verona Area International School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#4. Verona, Wisconsin

- Population: 14,040
- Median home value: $353,000
- Median rental price: $1,407

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Verona Area International School (grade A), Verona Area High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+), St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

F8 studio // Shutterstock

#3. Waunakee, Wisconsin

- Population: 14,794
- Median home value: $442,700
- Median rental price: $1,179

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Waunakee Intermediate School (grade A), Waunakee Community Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

FamVeld // Shutterstock

#2. Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin

- Population: 2,085
- Median home value: $875,000
- Median rental price: $1,870

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Memorial High School (grade A), West High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#1. Middleton, Wisconsin

- Population: 21,864
- Median home value: $438,700
- Median rental price: $1,326

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Middleton High School (grade A+), Memorial High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.