No. 7 Madison, Wisconsin

By Cindy Schwalb, Web Editor

From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, July 2009

Population: 584,154
Income Growth: 8.2%
Cost of Living Index: 100
Median Household Income: $58,090
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 35%

You can't argue with Madison's numbers. The Wisconsin city has a long track record of low unemployment, and its jobless rate is currently three percentage points below the national average. This city also wins for its low crime rate, first-rate public schools and a ready-made economy that feeds off of its two largest assets: The University of Wisconsin (and its expanding research centers) and the Wisconsin state capital.

INTERACTIVE EXTRAS:
	VIDEO: Take Our Walking Tour Through Madison
	SLIDE SHOW: Our 2009 Best Cities at a Glance
	PODCAST: How We Ranked Our Top Places
	TOOL: Find Your Best City

But you don't have to work in politics or education to thrive here. Those two institutions account for only 20 percent of Madison's jobs. Many of the rest come from its strong mix of tech and biotech firms. And the city is friendly for start-ups, with five business incubators that fuel employment.

Expect the offbeat. The satirical newspaper The Onion hails from Madison, as do several indie music labels and a hurling team. By 2016 Madison may be linked via high-speed rail to Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Plans are under way, but funding may depend on the 2016 Olympics. A winning bid for Chicago would give Madison three cycling events to host and help land that high-speed connection.

NEXT: No. 8 Austin

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