Madison ranks No. 9 in nation, No. 1 in state as ‘best place to live’

MADISON — The city of Madison, for the longest time, sat in the shadow of Huntsville.

At one time referred to as a “bedroom community,” Madison has grown by leaps and bounds and created its own identity.

Now, with a population of 58,335 as the state’s ninth-largest city, Madison stands on its own.

And, it’s getting some well-deserved accolades. The latest coming through Niche which ranked Madison as the No. 9 Best Place to Live in the country and No. 1 in the state.

“As the president of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, I am delighted that Madison has been ranked the No. 9 best place to live in for 2025 by Niche,” said Chamber President Michelle Epling. “This prestigious recognition reflects our community’s unwavering commitment to fostering a high quality of life, exceptional educational opportunities, and a welcoming environment for all.

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement and remain dedicated to making Madison an even better place to live, work, and thrive.”

Niche creates the annual Best Places to Live rankings using data from sources such as the U.S. Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the CDC, combined with millions of resident reviews. Factors like affordability, the local housing market, neighborhood diversity, area public schools, walkability, and more are all considered.

Madison received an A+ overall Niche grade. The categories and grades are:

1. Public Schools – A+
2. Crime & Safety – grade unavailable
3. Housing – A+
4. Nightlife – B-
5. Good for Families – A+
6. Diversity – A-

This year’s rankings included 230 cities and over 18,000 locations across America.

“Where you live shapes so many aspects of your life, from career opportunities to the sense of community you feel,” said Luke Skurman, CEO and founder of Niche. “At Niche, we are proud to provide rankings that empower people to make informed decisions based on what matters most to them, whether that’s great schools, affordability, or access to parks and local businesses. For over a decade, families, homebuyers, and professionals have turned to Niche as a trusted resource, and we remain committed to helping people discover the best places to live with confidence.”

Celebrating its 11th year, Niche rankings and profiles remain a trusted resource, guiding over 70 million people annually in making big life decisions, from choosing where to live to selecting schools.