Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Middleton, WI

    Is Middleton a good place to live?

    Watch Middleton

    Middleton ranks #12 of 36 Wisconsin cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (59/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 1.7% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $457,400
    +4.3% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,357
    per month
    Household income
    $85,526
    median
    Unemployment
    2.8%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Middleton

    The median home value in Middleton is $457,400 and median rent is $1,357 a month, against a median household income of $85,526. Homes cost about 5.3× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Middleton crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Wisconsin the 2025 rate was 245 violent and 1,033 property crimes per 100,000 people — #45 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Middleton, WI

    Middleton has about 22,235 residents, 2.8% unemployment and 32% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Middleton with

    Middleton vs MilwaukeeMiddleton vs MadisonMiddleton vs Green BayMiddleton vs KenoshaMiddleton vs RacineMiddleton vs AppletonMiddleton vs WaukeshaMiddleton vs Eau Claire

    More: Where to move in Wisconsin · Best counties in Wisconsin

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report