Forbes Says This Wisconsin City Is a Retirement Dream

If your golden years dream includes clean air, good doctors, and just a touch of frostbite, Wisconsin may have you covered. According to Forbes, one of the Midwest's frozen gems just landed on their list of the Best Places to Retire, and it's not hard to see why.

Wisconsin Ranks High for Retirement, Again

Forbes analyzed over 950 U.S. cities based on factors like housing costs, health care access, air quality, and climate change risks. One Wisconsin city rose to the Top 25 Best Places to Retire in 2025 thanks to its impressive pros:

Madison, Wisconsin—One of the Best Places to Retire in the U.S.

• A doctor practically every block
• Clean, breathable air
• Easy walking and biking
• Low crime
• A stable economy
• No state tax on Social Security or government pensions
• No state estate tax

Basically, if you can keep warm, you'll live forever

The Cold, Hard Truth

The cons? Winter. The kind that peels your skin off when the wind blows. Plus, if your retirement fund's too fat, Wisconsin's income tax might nibble away more than you'd like, with rates peaking at 7.65%.

Not Cheap, But Not Outrageous

The median home price sits around $408,000, just a hair over the national average. That gets you charm, and endless farmer's markets... with a side of snow shoveling.

READ MORE: 3 Must-Visit Farmers Markets in Wisconsin

Final Thoughts from a Wisconsin Native

As someone who grew up in this winter wonderland, I can vouch for the appeal. But if you're not ready to freeze your assets off, you could always just pothole-hop your way to peace right here in Rockford.

Here are the top 25 places in Forbes' "Best Places To Retire In 2025" list, in alphabetical order:

• Apache Junction, Arizona
• Athens, Georgia
• Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• College Station, Texas
• Columbia, Missouri
• Fargo, North Dakota
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Iowa City, Iowa
• Lawrence, Kansas
• Lexington, Kentucky
• Lincoln, Nebraska
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Newark, Delaware
• Pasco, Washington
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Raleigh, North Carolina
• Rochester, Minnesota
• San Antonio, Texas
• Savannah, Georgia
• Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Spokane, Washington
• Tucson, Arizona
• The Villages, Florida
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Winchester, Virginia

MORE: Romantic Weekends Are Best Spent In This Wisconsin Town