This western Wisconsin city is among the 50 best places to live in the country, Money says

If you’re looking to move to Wisconsin, the state’s most populous cities might come to mind as the best places to live. But don’t count out smaller gems scattered across the state: La Crosse was recently named as one of the 50 best places to live in the U.S., according to Money, a personal finance website.

The western Wisconsin city, which sits on the Mississippi River, offers a host of outdoor recreation activities and a bustling arts and culture scene. Both facets were key to landing the city a spot on the list.

The list, which Money had been compiling for more than 30 years, took a more holistic approach this year. Along with weighing numerical factors like affordability, school quality and job market health, the digital magazine researched cities across the country to find places “with a palpable spirit, nurtured and sustained by engaged citizens and receptive public officials,” according to its methodology.

La Crosse was the only Wisconsin city named among the top 50 this year, and Money did not select a city from every state.

Here’s more on why La Crosse is great place to live and which other cities made the list.

What makes La Crosse a great place to live?

La Crosse’s balance of outdoor offerings, nightlife and arts, and strong local economy all make it a great place to live, according to Money.

The city offers plenty of hiking and biking trails, along with boating and fishing excursions on nearby rivers and lakes. In the winter, residents can enjoy the steepest vertical slope in Wisconsin at destination ski resort Mt. La Crosse.

La Crosse is also home to several museums and a particularly bustling art gallery scene. Arts and culture take center stage in its year-round festivals, with the city’s IrishFest and Oktoberfest both coming up in the next few months.

For younger residents, La Crosse, which houses three universities, has consistently been named among the most economical college towns in the U.S. The number of college students also makes for robust nightlife, and more than a dozen breweries and wineries are based in or near La Crosse.

Finally, La Crosse is notably more affordable than larger Wisconsin cities. The city enjoys a median home price of about $265,000, while median home prices in the Milwaukee area are north of $400,000. And with Kwik Trip and Old Style beer headquartered in the city, La Crosse boasts a stable local job market with a 2.2% unemployment rate.

Which other cities made the list?

Several other Midwestern cities made the list alongside La Crosse. Here are some of the best places to live in Wisconsin’s neighboring states:

• Detroit
• Ferndale, Michigan
• Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Prairie Crossing, Illinois
• Northfield, Minnesota