Discover Why Madison and Milwaukee Are Top Picks for Fitness Enthusiasts in the U.S.

According to a recent analysis from WalletHub, Madison and Milwaukee are identified as two of the finest cities in the U.S. for enjoying an active lifestyle.

Chip Lupo, a WalletHub Analyst, stated in the Jan. 8 report that the top cities for maintaining this way of life “provide opportunities for diverse populations,” from team sports to biking. “They typically are large cities that remain close to stunning natural spaces for hiking and swimming,” Lupo mentioned.

To create the list, analysts assessed the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. based on two categories: finances and participation in sports and outdoor activities.

These aspects were evaluated with 35 factors, including the average monthly membership fee for fitness clubs, the number of swimming pools per capita, and proximity to significant bodies of water among others. Then, cities received grades on a 100-point scale for each factor, which culminated in a “weighted average” across all criteria to determine an “Active Lifestyle Score.”

Based on these metrics, both Madison and Milwaukee secured spots in the top 50 of WalletHub’s ranking. These cities were also recognized in WalletHub’s latest best places to retire, best places to find employment lists, and U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Places to Live list, alongside Green Bay.

To view WalletHub’s complete 2025 “Best & Worst Cities for an Active Lifestyle” report, click here.

How were Wisconsin cities evaluated?

Madison took the 13th position on the list, while Milwaukee was ranked 33rd.

How did Madison perform?

WalletHub’s Active Lifestyle Score: 53.16

Budget and participation ranking: 21

Sports and outdoors ranking: 13

How did Milwaukee perform?

WalletHub’s Active Lifestyle Score: 47.25

Budget and participation ranking: 72

Sports and outdoors ranking: 19

What are the top 15 best cities for an active lifestyle in the U.S., according to WalletHub?

1. Honolulu, Hawaii
2. New York, New York
3. San Francisco, California
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
5. Chicago, Illinois
6. Los Angeles, California
7. Denver, Colorado
8. San Diego, California
9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10. Cincinnati, Ohio
11. Atlanta, Georgia
12. Seattle, Washington
13. Madison, Wisconsin
14. Portland, Oregon
15. Austin, Texas