Best overall
Kewaunee County
Overall score 76.3
Economy 80.9 / Affordability 60.4
State rankings
Best Counties to Live in Wisconsin
Compare counties in Wisconsin by affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and quality-of-life tradeoffs.
Use the county-size filter to compare large metro counties, mid-size counties, small counties, and rural areas separately. These modules are a starting point, then you can open the full rankings table or compare individual counties.
County size
County size helps compare places with similar scale. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Showing all 72 Wisconsin counties
Use this state ranking
Compare counties in Wisconsin
Put Wisconsin counties side by side.
Estimate moving costs
Compare housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, insurance, and tax-pressure estimates.
Open Wisconsin rankings
Open the full Wisconsin ranking table with filters.
Explore on the map
Scan county scores geographically across the country.
Wisconsin county rankings at a glance
Compact winners for common county-search priorities.
Best for families
St. Croix County
Family score 82.8
Schools 96.6 / Safety 95.8
Best value
Kewaunee County
Value score 66.6
Affordability 60.4 / Taxes 42.5
Most affordable
Lafayette County
Affordability 73.2
Typical home $233,379
Best schools
Ozaukee County
Schools 99.7
Safety 97.8 / Economy 82.7
Safest
Richland County
Safety 98.8
Schools 48.8 / Peace 86.4
Low taxes
Vilas County
Taxes 67.7
Affordability 26.2 / Typical home $389,397
Peace & quiet
Monroe County
Peace & Quiet 91
Density and built-environment signals
Top counties by category
Use these short lists to jump into the state rankings that match your priorities.
Best overall counties in Wisconsin
View full- 1Kewaunee County
Typical home $312,593
76.3
Overall
- 2Calumet County
Typical home $370,910
75.3
Overall
- 3St. Croix County
Typical home $412,058
75
Overall
- 4Green County
Typical home $327,448
73
Overall
- 5Lafayette County
Typical home $233,379
73
Overall
Best counties for families in Wisconsin
View full- 1St. Croix County
Typical home $412,058
82.8
Family
- 2Calumet County
Typical home $370,910
82.6
Family
- 3Kewaunee County
Typical home $312,593
82.5
Family
- 4Pierce County
Typical home $361,589
82.2
Family
- 5Green County
Typical home $327,448
80.8
Family
Best value counties in Wisconsin
View full- 1Kewaunee County
Typical home $312,593
66.6
Value
- 2Lafayette County
Typical home $233,379
66.3
Value
- 3Clark County
Typical home $217,631
66.3
Value
- 4Manitowoc County
Typical home $255,268
65.5
Value
- 5Marathon County
Typical home $270,800
65.0
Value
Most affordable counties in Wisconsin
View full- 1Lafayette County
Typical home $233,379
73.2
Afford.
- 2Ashland County
Typical home $186,085
71
Afford.
- 3Clark County
Typical home $217,631
68.5
Afford.
- 4Wood County
Typical home $223,020
67.8
Afford.
- 5Taylor County
Typical home $226,316
67.7
Afford.
Best school counties in Wisconsin
View full- 1Ozaukee County
Typical home $494,294
99.7
Schools
- 2Waukesha County
Typical home $494,695
99
Schools
- 3Washington County
Typical home $423,203
97.5
Schools
- 4Door County
Typical home $424,675
97.1
Schools
- 5St. Croix County
Typical home $412,058
96.6
Schools
Lowest tax-score counties in Wisconsin
View full- 1Vilas County
Typical home $389,397
67.7
Taxes
- 2Sawyer County
Typical home $326,863
67.4
Taxes
- 3Oneida County
Typical home $311,080
63
Taxes
- 4Burnett County
Typical home $290,650
58.5
Taxes
- 5Iron County
Typical home $210,259
56.3
Taxes
Quietest counties in Wisconsin
View full- 1Monroe County
Typical home $254,612
91
Quiet
- 2Marathon County
Typical home $270,800
90.9
Quiet
- 3Lafayette County
Typical home $233,379
90.3
Quiet
- 4Trempealeau County
Typical home $271,969
90.3
Quiet
- 5Portage County
Typical home $314,196
89.9
Quiet
Safest counties in Wisconsin
View full- 1Richland County
Typical home $267,993
98.8
Safety
- 2Pierce County
Typical home $361,589
97.8
Safety
- 3Ozaukee County
Typical home $494,294
97.8
Safety
- 4Green County
Typical home $327,448
97.2
Safety
- 5Calumet County
Typical home $370,910
97
Safety
Popular Wisconsin county comparisons
Put two counties side by side before you narrow the search.
How to choose a county in Wisconsin
The best county in Wisconsin depends on what you need most. Families may care more about schools and safety, budget-focused movers may care more about affordability and taxes, and quiet-living households may care more about density and peace & quiet. Large counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so use the county-size filter to compare places with similar scale.
Best for different needs
Best overall counties in Wisconsin
For best overall counties in Wisconsin, Kewaunee County, Calumet County, and St. Croix County stand out in this model because they combine several public-data signals instead of winning on only one category.
View this rankingBest counties for families in Wisconsin
For families, St. Croix County, Calumet County, and Kewaunee County score well in the family blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet.
View this rankingMost affordable counties in Wisconsin
For affordability-focused movers, Lafayette County, Ashland County, and Clark County may appeal because they score well on housing and income tradeoff signals in the current model.
View this rankingBest school counties in Wisconsin
For school-first households, Ozaukee County, Waukesha County, and Washington County lead the current school score, though families should still compare district-level details.
View this rankingBest low-tax counties in Wisconsin
For lower tax-pressure searches, Vilas County, Sawyer County, and Oneida County score well on the tax model, but buyers should still check local property taxes and carrying costs.
View this rankingBest quiet counties in Wisconsin
For quieter-living searches, Monroe County, Marathon County, and Lafayette County stand out on peace & quiet signals such as density and built-environment indicators.
View this rankingWhat to watch before moving to Wisconsin
Compare county scale carefully in Wisconsin; large metro counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Check town-level housing costs, commute patterns, school districts, and local services before making a final move decision.
Frequently asked questions about the best counties in Wisconsin
What is the best county to live in Wisconsin?
The best county depends on your priorities. In this ranking model, Kewaunee County currently scores highest overall, but families, budget-focused movers, and quiet-living households may prefer different counties.
What is the best county in Wisconsin for families?
Based on the family ranking blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet, St. Croix County stands out in this model.
What is the most affordable county in Wisconsin?
Lafayette County scores highly on affordability in this model, but buyers should still compare home prices, taxes, insurance, commute costs, and local job access.
How should I compare large and small counties?
Use the county-size filter. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so comparing similar county sizes usually gives a more realistic shortlist.
Are these rankings based on reviews?
No. These rankings use public-data signals such as affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and peace & quiet. Local reviews and personal visits should still be part of a final decision.
Which Wisconsin counties score well for schools or taxes?
Ozaukee County currently leads the school-score view, while Vilas County stands out on the tax-score view. Use the rankings presets to compare those priorities separately.
All Wisconsin counties
Showing all 72 Wisconsin counties ranked by the default generated overall score.
| Rank | County | Overall | Economy | Afford. | Schools | Safety | Taxes | Peace & Quiet | Typical home | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kewaunee County FIPS 55061 | 76.3 | 80.9 | 60.4 | 92.1 | 93.4 | 42.5 | 86.5 | $312,593 | $82,725 |
| 2 | Calumet County FIPS 55015 | 75.3 | 81.1 | 53.5 | 95.4 | 97 | 38.3 | 83.2 | $370,910 | $88,810 |
| 3 | St. Croix County FIPS 55109 | 75 | 78.9 | 55 | 96.6 | 95.8 | 37.5 | 81.7 | $412,058 | $103,046 |
| 4 | Green County FIPS 55045 | 73 | 76.7 | 57.4 | 88.6 | 97.2 | 27.3 | 88.6 | $327,448 | $82,852 |
| 5 | Lafayette County FIPS 55065 | 73 | 74.9 | 73.2 | 76.2 | 89.5 | 28.1 | 90.3 | $233,379 | $76,462 |
| 6 | Pierce County FIPS 55093 | 71.9 | 70 | 55.8 | 95.4 | 97.8 | 24.9 | 84.8 | $361,589 | $92,109 |
| 7 | Marathon County FIPS 55073 | 71.8 | 72.5 | 64 | 77.5 | 95.7 | 33 | 90.9 | $270,800 | $77,884 |
| 8 | Iowa County FIPS 55049 | 71.6 | 75.7 | 54.9 | 87.3 | 96.2 | 27.6 | 87 | $335,142 | $82,182 |
| 9 | Washington County FIPS 55131 | 71.5 | 82.1 | 47.8 | 97.5 | 75.6 | 47.7 | 68.9 | $423,203 | $96,359 |
| 10 | Buffalo County FIPS 55011 | 71.3 | 64.9 | 63.7 | 83.6 | 96.6 | 36.4 | 86.8 | $247,941 | $70,479 |
| 11 | Ozaukee County FIPS 55089 | 71.2 | 82.7 | 34.1 | 99.7 | 97.8 | 41.1 | 65.9 | $494,294 | $96,996 |
| 12 | Outagamie County FIPS 55087 | 70.2 | 77.8 | 54.7 | 84.7 | 85 | 36.7 | 74.5 | $337,446 | $85,069 |
| 13 | Wood County FIPS 55141 | 70.1 | 60.3 | 67.8 | 81.9 | 92.9 | 32.9 | 88.4 | $223,020 | $67,989 |
| 14 | Columbia County FIPS 55021 | 69.6 | 79.4 | 52.3 | 78.4 | 88.5 | 35.1 | 84.2 | $351,613 | $85,351 |
| 15 | Manitowoc County FIPS 55071 | 69.6 | 68.5 | 63.4 | 69.5 | 96.1 | 40.5 | 85.3 | $255,268 | $69,148 |
| 16 | Pepin County FIPS 55091 | 69.6 | 69.2 | 61 | 77.9 | 87.5 | 40.9 | 85.4 | $278,228 | $75,256 |
| 17 | Taylor County FIPS 55119 | 69.6 | 59.1 | 67.7 | 84.2 | 89.3 | 32.7 | 88.7 | $226,316 | $69,350 |
| 18 | Vernon County FIPS 55123 | 69.2 | 66.7 | 63.8 | 75.2 | 91.8 | 34.3 | 87.5 | $256,887 | $71,893 |
| 19 | Portage County FIPS 55097 | 69.1 | 69.3 | 51.8 | 84.9 | 93 | 33.9 | 89.9 | $314,196 | $76,070 |
| 20 | Waukesha County FIPS 55133 | 69 | 83.4 | 40.7 | 99 | 78 | 44.6 | 40.9 | $494,695 | $106,076 |
| 21 | Clark County FIPS 55019 | 68.9 | 67.4 | 68.5 | 63.9 | 93.6 | 37.1 | 88.5 | $217,631 | $67,400 |
| 22 | Eau Claire County FIPS 55035 | 68.5 | 69.7 | 50 | 83.7 | 95.1 | 33 | 86.1 | $314,564 | $74,546 |
| 23 | Grant County FIPS 55043 | 68.3 | 60.6 | 65.7 | 80.1 | 87.3 | 31.3 | 89.9 | $222,304 | $66,858 |
| 24 | Dodge County FIPS 55027 | 68 | 71.4 | 52.3 | 75.8 | 93.9 | 35.6 | 85.5 | $315,129 | $75,929 |
| 25 | Sauk County FIPS 55111 | 68 | 75.6 | 51.6 | 80.6 | 84.2 | 32 | 85.8 | $330,477 | $79,541 |
| 26 | Oconto County FIPS 55083 | 67.9 | 66.8 | 51.8 | 80.3 | 90.2 | 49.1 | 75.9 | $300,350 | $75,049 |
| 27 | Jefferson County FIPS 55055 | 67.8 | 76.1 | 50.3 | 73.3 | 94.5 | 32.7 | 81.7 | $359,899 | $83,750 |
| 28 | Waupaca County FIPS 55135 | 67.4 | 68.4 | 57.5 | 73.1 | 86.9 | 40.5 | 84.5 | $280,716 | $72,830 |
| 29 | Brown County FIPS 55009 | 67 | 75.9 | 47.5 | 76.1 | 95.1 | 36.6 | 60.3 | $348,016 | $79,649 |
| 30 | Door County FIPS 55029 | 66.7 | 74.1 | 23 | 97.1 | 95.4 | 47.2 | 80.2 | $424,675 | $74,795 |
| 31 | Chippewa County FIPS 55017 | 66 | 66.2 | 53.8 | 74.4 | 78.9 | 49.2 | 88.2 | $314,131 | $74,680 |
| 32 | Trempealeau County FIPS 55121 | 65.9 | 68.6 | 62.5 | 56.8 | 95.5 | 28.8 | 90.3 | $271,969 | $76,313 |
| 33 | Lincoln County FIPS 55069 | 65.5 | 60.1 | 63.5 | 65.8 | 87.7 | 40.6 | 84.5 | $237,321 | $68,164 |
| 34 | Dunn County FIPS 55033 | 65.4 | 66.4 | 52.6 | 71.8 | 89.2 | 34.7 | 88.7 | $306,489 | $74,824 |
| 35 | Douglas County FIPS 55031 | 65.3 | 55.6 | 63.5 | 65 | 92.3 | 43.8 | 86.9 | $249,938 | $75,099 |
| 36 | Iron County FIPS 55051 | 65.2 | 45.3 | 61.9 | 77.4 | 88.3 | 56.3 | 80.3 | $210,259 | $60,625 |
| 37 | Polk County FIPS 55095 | 64.9 | 58.7 | 50.7 | 80.1 | 86.9 | 45.7 | 78.3 | $328,021 | $77,219 |
| 38 | Price County FIPS 55099 | 64.4 | 47.3 | 62.6 | 74.5 | 92.7 | 41.7 | 78.4 | $200,456 | $60,546 |
| 39 | Sheboygan County FIPS 55117 | 64.1 | 73.4 | 50.8 | 81.3 | 59.1 | 38.9 | 81 | $315,782 | $73,094 |
| 40 | Rock County FIPS 55105 | 63.7 | 68.5 | 58.9 | 57 | 95 | 23.8 | 77.1 | $286,957 | $75,673 |
| 41 | Barron County FIPS 55005 | 63.1 | 59.7 | 52.9 | 67.1 | 88.4 | 39.8 | 86.4 | $278,689 | $65,933 |
| 42 | Fond du Lac County FIPS 55039 | 63.1 | 65.7 | 59 | 79 | 58.9 | 30.6 | 84.8 | $282,904 | $74,275 |
| 43 | Monroe County FIPS 55081 | 62.8 | 66.7 | 61.7 | 42.8 | 92.9 | 37 | 91 | $254,612 | $69,467 |
| 44 | Winnebago County FIPS 55139 | 62.7 | 69.4 | 54.5 | 82.1 | 62.1 | 26.1 | 68.3 | $297,134 | $74,925 |
| 45 | Florence County FIPS 55037 | 62.6 | 54.3 | 64.4 | 63 | 79.7 | 43.3 | 81.6 | $198,944 | $61,086 |
| 46 | Oneida County FIPS 55085 | 62.4 | 66.3 | 44.4 | 54.7 | 90.3 | 63 | 78.7 | $311,080 | $69,371 |
| 47 | Marinette County FIPS 55075 | 62.3 | 53.2 | 62.3 | 55.4 | 87.2 | 52.8 | 79.4 | $210,151 | $63,809 |
| 48 | Kenosha County FIPS 55059 | 62 | 68.1 | 53.1 | 63.3 | 95.8 | 22.3 | 48 | $323,633 | $81,239 |
| 49 | Green Lake County FIPS 55047 | 61.9 | 62.3 | 48.8 | 55.7 | 96.1 | 45 | 80.6 | $286,241 | $68,196 |
| 50 | Bayfield County FIPS 55007 | 61.8 | 56.8 | 49.9 | 65.3 | 84.7 | 54.2 | 79 | $294,111 | $71,151 |
| 51 | Richland County FIPS 55103 | 61.7 | 61 | 54 | 48.8 | 98.8 | 40.9 | 86.4 | $267,993 | $66,420 |
| 52 | Rusk County FIPS 55107 | 61.4 | 50.1 | 62.5 | 54.9 | 86.5 | 52.9 | 80.1 | $204,725 | $59,944 |
| 53 | Jackson County FIPS 55053 | 61.3 | 60.3 | 67.3 | 44.1 | 86.4 | 32.9 | 85.8 | $226,146 | $68,110 |
| 54 | Shawano County FIPS 55115 | 61 | 64.4 | 54 | 52.9 | 80.7 | 44 | 85.7 | $271,642 | $66,479 |
| 55 | Ashland County FIPS 55003 | 60.8 | 55.7 | 71 | 43.8 | 87.1 | 29.3 | 86.6 | $186,085 | $62,462 |
| 56 | Waushara County FIPS 55137 | 60.7 | 61.4 | 52.4 | 61.7 | 74.6 | 49.4 | 75.8 | $274,993 | $67,107 |
| 57 | Crawford County FIPS 55023 | 60.1 | 49.7 | 60.1 | 64.1 | 85.4 | 28.4 | 83.6 | $230,022 | $64,094 |
| 58 | Vilas County FIPS 55125 | 60 | 63 | 26.2 | 62.8 | 95.8 | 67.7 | 80.7 | $389,397 | $68,431 |
| 59 | La Crosse County FIPS 55063 | 59.5 | 68.1 | 46.2 | 83.6 | 51.9 | 24.6 | 78.6 | $326,200 | $73,013 |
| 60 | Walworth County FIPS 55127 | 59 | 74.2 | 33.8 | 69.4 | 71.9 | 36.8 | 72.9 | $404,316 | $80,520 |
| 61 | Dane County FIPS 55025 | 58 | 81.8 | 29.6 | 92.2 | 46.4 | 16.5 | 61.3 | $465,320 | $89,975 |
| 62 | Marquette County FIPS 55077 | 57.7 | 57.4 | 52.8 | 50.7 | 80.4 | 41.8 | 76.2 | $263,565 | $65,681 |
| 63 | Langlade County FIPS 55067 | 57.1 | 54.2 | 55.9 | 32 | 94 | 49.2 | 82.3 | $215,146 | $55,878 |
| 64 | Burnett County FIPS 55013 | 57 | 50.3 | 44 | 62.3 | 75.7 | 58.5 | 74.5 | $290,650 | $62,819 |
| 65 | Washburn County FIPS 55129 | 56.2 | 53.6 | 40.1 | 56.7 | 80.5 | 54.3 | 78.6 | $303,500 | $63,441 |
| 66 | Forest County FIPS 55041 | 56.1 | 51.5 | 59.3 | 32 | 87 | 50.4 | 77.8 | $215,025 | $61,071 |
| 67 | Juneau County FIPS 55057 | 55.1 | 57.6 | 55.7 | 38.9 | 71.3 | 42.4 | 81 | $255,309 | $67,270 |
| 68 | Sawyer County FIPS 55113 | 54.9 | 53.2 | 30.8 | 57.2 | 78.4 | 67.4 | 79.9 | $326,863 | $60,801 |
| 69 | Adams County FIPS 55001 | 47.4 | 44.8 | 50.6 | 18 | 79.8 | 43.5 | 71.8 | $246,818 | $59,442 |
| 70 | Racine County FIPS 55101 | 46.3 | 66.4 | 57.2 | 22.6 | 42.9 | 19.1 | 50.8 | $304,766 | $78,096 |
| 71 | Menominee County FIPS 55078 | 38.3 | 34.6 | 36.8 | 1.2 | 94.6 | 19.7 | 80.3 | $299,211 | $62,108 |
| 72 | Milwaukee County FIPS 55079 | 29.4 | 53.2 | 46.5 | 12.5 | 0.6 | 7.6 | 21.9 | $283,167 | $64,435 |