In our annual ranking of the top places to live, we look at the things that matter most to people: economic opportunities, quality of life, diversity, and where the best futures lie. Explore below the many different locations — and see if your town made it!
By Kristen Bahler, Adam Hardy, Aly J. Yale, Andrea Agostini, Jhoni Jackson, Kaitlin Mulhere, Leslie Cook, Julia Glum, Mallika Mitra, Mary Ellen Cagnassola and Sarah Hansen
FAQs
Each year U.S. News & World Report releases a list of the Best Places to Live in the US. These top-rated cities always include a few big players, like Boston and San Francisco, as well as some surprises, like Green Bay, Wisconsin, landing the #1 spot.
Where is the most desirable place to live in the USA? ›
Story at a glance
| Rank | Name | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Colonial Village | Neighborhood in Arlington, VA |
| 2 | Carmel | Town in Indiana |
| 3 | Chesterbrook | Suburb of Philadelphia, PA |
| 4 | Uptown | Neighborhood in Tampa, FL |
16 more rowsMar 26, 2024
Researchers at the personal finance publication ranked the 50 states based on scores in five categories: affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. Massachusetts topped 2023's list, scoring 61 out of 100. New Jersey came in second.
What city has the best quality of life? ›
The best U.S. city for quality of life is Ann Arbor, Mich.
The city had 26.4% new Gen Zers and a total population of 35.9%. Ann Arbor, Michigan ranked as the best U.S. city based on quality of life, according to U.S. News and World Report.
What is the safest city to live in the United States? ›
Determining The Safest Cities in The U.S. This year, Thousand Oaks, California—a city in the northwestern part of Greater Los Angeles—tops the list as the safest city in America. Thousand Oaks has the lowest crime cost of cities with a population over 100,000, at $241 per capita.
Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in America? ›
Davenport, Iowa. Although Davenport is an industrial hotspot, the river city is celebrated for its attractive neighborhoods, thriving job market and friendly locals. You'll also enjoy a range of potential housing options at low prices and cheaper cost of living than the national average.
Where is the nicest and cheapest place to live? ›
Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024
- Hickory, NC.
- Youngstown, OH.
- Huntington, WV & Ashland, KY-OH.
- Fort Wayne, IN.
- Beaumont, TX.
- Peoria, IL.
Overall Rankings
- #1. Utah.
- #2. Washington.
- #3. Idaho.
- #4. Nebraska.
- #5. Minnesota.
The cheapest states to live in are Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Mississippi is the cheapest state to live in in the US, with a cost of living index of 85. The second cheapest state to live in is Oklahoma, with a cost of living index of 85.8.
What is the perfect state to move to? ›
If you're thinking of relocating this year, consider New Hampshire, Wyoming, Virginia, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, which lead the most recent list of the best states to move to, according to immigration law experts Shoreline Immigration.
Finland named the world's happiest country (again) in 2024 but young people in Europe are struggling | Euronews.
What are the happiest cities in America? ›
Happiest places to live in the U.S.
| Overall Rank | City | Total Score |
|---|
| 1 | Fremont, CA | 74.16 |
| 2 | Overland Park, KS | 69.78 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | 69.54 |
| 4 | Madison, WI | 68.99 |
21 more rowsMar 19, 2024
Cities With the Best Quality of Life to Move to in 2024
| Rank | City, State | Total Score out of 100 |
|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | 100.00 |
| 2 | Raleigh, North Carolina | 91.67 |
| 3 | San Diego, California | 89.64 |
| 4 | Tampa, Florida | 81.98 |
11 more rowsMar 21, 2024
list of the largest U.S. cities by population
| city | state | population: estimate |
|---|
| 1. New York City | New York | (2022 est.) 8,335,897 |
| 2. Los Angeles | California | (2022 est.) 3,822,238 |
| 3. Chicago | Illinois | (2022 est.) 2,665,039 |
| 4. Houston | Texas | (2022 est.) 2,302,878 |
22 more rowsMar 4, 2024
The EIU's Global Liveability Ranking
| EIU's Global Liveability Ranking 2023 |
|---|
| City | Country/Region |
| 1 | Vienna | Austria |
| 2 | Copenhagen | Denmark |
| 3 | Melbourne | Australia |
8 more rowsMost Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024
- Hickory, NC.
- Youngstown, OH.
- Huntington, WV & Ashland, KY-OH.
- Fort Wayne, IN.
- Beaumont, TX.
- Peoria, IL.
If you want to live in a small town surrounded by people who are very friendly and welcoming Virginia, Tennessee, or Kansas is your best bet. If you want to live in a state with a great mix of history and excellent city(s) try Pennsylvania or Massachusetts.
