The 20 Best Places to Live in the United States

For the best possible quality of life, it helps to ensure that your target living and working location falls within your projected budget. The costs of food, travel, housing, and other factors will determine what’s known as the “cost of living.” If these expenses exceed your budget, consider another location. 

Rural areas offer much in the way of scenery and outdoor living. However, some locations outside major cities in America may have limited access to broadband internet or other utilities you consider critical for tasks like remote work or long-distance communication. Additionally, these locations may have less diverse offerings for networked healthcare coverage, both on an individual and large-scale basis, as well as mortgage opportunities. 

A significant component of what you should look for in a place to live in the US (or anywhere else) involves your goals and hobbies. What do you enjoy doing? What activities and lifestyle would you most like to adopt? Do you prefer metro areas or quiet rural life? Do you want to live in or near the mountains, lakes, or the coast? 

Choose a location that fosters the growth of those pursuits—or choose several. Make a list of cities and towns, ranking them from most to least relevant to your preferences. 

Finally, you must consider a location’s climate when weighing whether or not you want to live there. If you don’t like hot, humid climates, choose a state north of Virginia or North Carolina. Also, remember that Northern states have a more significant difference between seasonal highs and lows than southern states do.

Folks who are looking to better their careers, raise a family, or get a higher education, typically look to population when deciding on a place to live. The higher the population, the more diverse the city will be in terms of cultural and religious establishments. Also, there will be far more selection in terms of schools, neighbourhoods and housing types available.

One of the most important aspects, and search terms online when researching a new city to live in is the crime rate. Everyone wants to know how safe a city is, regardless if you are single, a student, a family or a senior. Crime rates across the United States are typically calculated by a ratio of 100,000 people and is based on violent crimes and offences recorded by local police. As of Thursday, October 20, 2022, the population of the United States was 335,453,970 and the crime rate hovers around 47.70 instances per 100,000 people. According to World Population Review "as a nation, we have relatively high crime rates, however, they have decreased significantly over the past 25 years.

Earning potential is key for those looking for a new city to reside in. When a city is industry specific, has a smaller population and is either rural or remote, the ability to earn. The average annual income of a city is important to know as that number must be compared to the cost of living. Unless you have a specialty in terms of profession which sets you above the average annual income, then getting a typical job and surviving the cost of living in any given city will be difficult; especially on a single income.

If you desire snowy winters and beautiful, changing seasons. You’ll find those in Albany, along with a cost of living that falls below the national average. With a high average annual salary of just under $60,000, that low cost of living makes Albany one of the most affordable places to live on this list.

A modern-looking metropolis peppered with and surrounded by green, Albany offers rich outdoor activity options a conveniently short drive from the hustle of city life.

Known as a college town, Ann Arbor boasts one of the highest quality of life scores of any city on this list.

This city grew up almost 200 years ago, sprawling its avenues and streets through the gorgeous Michigan foothills. The Huron River, vast and ancient, runs through it.  

With trees as the background and public parks at every turn, it’s hard to miss opportunities to explore the outdoors. In winter, the scenery changes enough to allow ice skating, 

Ann Arbor is known for its booming economy, family oriented neighbourhoods, fantastic public schools and plenty of indoor and outdoor activities for children and adults alike.

Choose Boise if you need the perfect blend of recreation and urban life. With a high college-student population, numerous job opportunities in tech and healthcare, and direct access to striking natural scenery, Boise has a lot to offer.

While the average annual salary in Boise falls below the national average, the cost of living in Boise remains low. Combined with the ideal blend of urban and rural life, Boise’s affordability makes it a strong choice for people from all walks of life.

Boulder sets itself against the stunning backdrop of Colorado’s mountains and plains. With more than 60 parks and over 150 miles of dedicated hiking trails, the combination of technology, aerospace, and bioscience industry developments provides ample job opportunities and excellent quality of life. It’s also home to the University of Colorado. 

It’s an attractive place for those who can afford the higher property values but is a jewel for raising a family as it has unlimited educational opportunities and a terrific suburban-urban lifestyle mix.

If you’re looking to hop across the border staying near Canada, Buffalo might be the place for you. A mere 20 miles from Niagara Falls, Buffalo offers all of the benefits of a city in a smaller, greener package.

Enjoy national forests and state parks, cultural attractions, and more. Buffalo never gets too crowded. Temperate seasons and gorgeous fall leaves raise the quality of life rating for the city, and residential and commercial property remains affordable for the middle class.

Pikes Peak, inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful,” is the backdrop for Colorado Springs. Here, you’ll find a city that blends colorful nature with rugged history and metropolitan spoils.

Its parts are distinctive: the booming suburbs in the north and east; the bustling yet easily navigated downtown; the elegant, rustic south side defined by Cheyenne Cañon and the century-old Broadmoor hotel; and the west side, occupied by eateries and shops in what was the old Victorian center of the 1890s gold rush. Despite the sprawl, people regularly stop to say hello to someone they know at their neighborhood brewery or grocery store. That's the small-town scene the city aims to preserve.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area truly has it all. Residents in Dallas can find bustling city life and quiet suburban paradise all within the same thirty-minute drive. There are 10 major cities in the metroplex for Dallas-Fort Worth. It is the the most populous region in the southern United States. Each neighbourhood has its own character and history so depending on what you are looking for, you will definitely find it in Dallas.

Dallas draws a considerable number of top employers so there are more than enough jobs to go around. There are countless events happening throughout the year due to the weather being beautiful for the better part of 365 days. Dallas draws a high quality of life score, has a free business environment and is a mosaic of multiculturalism in the United States.

Bordering the famous Appalachian Trail and tucked against the banks of the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg combines the rustic feel of a mountain town with the classic architecture of old Pennsylvania. The weather in Pennsylvania is liveable all year long as well with summer highs easily bordering 30 degrees celsius and the winters at its coldest of about 11 degrees celsius.

Much of the job market in Harrisburg consists of Federal and State employees. However, a booming private sector includes top names like Hershey’s, D&H, and Rite Aid.  

Harrisburg provides all the draws of a Northern city without overcrowding. They have an "old city, new attitude" type of atmosphere. There's a beautiful mix of city life and wilderness and with their technological influence, the city is a haven for young and old alike.

Huntsville has grown! Once a quiet, simple town, Huntsville became one of the centers for NASA activity during the US’s space boom of the 1960s. When the space race calmed, so did business in Huntsville. However, the area has recently attracted new tech companies, breweries, and other developments that have returned it to the thriving hub it once was. The job market is rising in Huntsville very quickly.

According to The National News, Huntsville Alabama was ranked #1 place to live in the United States. Currently, Facebook, the US Army and Boeing are major employers in this city.

Canadians with enthusiasm for American sports will love Knoxville. Knoxville is home to famous stadiums, a stunning nature center, and an expanding urban community. Against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville truly has a lot to offer those who love to lead an active life.

Knoxville is known for great schools, decent climate, low cost of living and plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. It is one of the most desirable cities in the USA to live.

Known as the horse capital of the world with its famous horse parks and race tracks, Lexington has a lot of sprawling farmland to accent a beautiful cityscape.

Younger residents enjoy the college-town vibe in Lexington’s city center, while people from all walks of life enjoy exploring the outdoor parks and falls. There are fantastic educational opportunities in Lexington and as a result the economy is very healthy here. Lexington is know n to be safe and affordable.

As the Capital of Nebraska and home to the famous Cornhuskers of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln attracts college students, ardent football fans, tech companies, and people from all walks of life. The dense tech presence in the private job sector has garnered the city the label of “Silicon Prairie.” In fact, Lincoln Nebraska was rated number 1 for job seekers in 2015.

With a sprawling but not densely packed cityscape set against the beautiful backdrop of wild Nebraska, Lincoln scores high on the quality of life chart. It is common to see folks from all walks of life here, especially those with cowboy hats. The way of life is a slower pace due to the most people living rurally. The cost of living is quite low in Nebraska, and there are plenty of job opportunities. Weatherwise, be prepared for vast seasonal changes here. The summers are stunningly warm and balmy but the winters see substantial snowfalls and freezing temperatures.

Madison will make a fantastic choice if you’re looking to work in the healthcare, information technology, or manufacturing industries. Wisconsin’s capital city offers access to quality higher education through the University of Wisconsin at Madison, a blossoming foodie culture, and dedicated local farmer’s markets. It also straddles two lakes!

Madison is a smaller to midsize city and has been ranked as one of the best places to live according to Livability. Madison makes an excellent choice for Canadians interested in exploring the benefits of living in the northern Midwest of the US.

Last on our list of best places to live in the US is a charming mainstay. Myrtle Beach is a long-time favourite among beach-loving vacation-goers, which takes up a considerable portion of the South Carolina coastline. Rich with recreational activities, theme parks, resort work, and quality food, many people find something they love—and stay for—in this quaint coastal town.

With affordable property and new job opportunities coming to town every day, keep Myrtle Beach on your list for go-to beach life destinations.

Nashville, home to honky-tonk, the country music industry, and some of the best barbecue in the US, Nashville is a power house of great cooking and music. With thousands of food and music festivals every year, this city is a dream come true for the people who decide to move here.

Nashville has a lot of space to offer aspiring residents and business owners as the job market is continuing to grow day after day. In fact, Nashville now has the second largest job market in the United States. While the quality of life in Nashville takes a hit due to the packed city life, the overall value for property investment and business opportunities remains high. In terms of weather, Nashville has a lovely seasonal change with hot summers and winters that are easily manageable with little to no snowfall.

If you seek bright and sunny weather, consider beautiful Pensacola. Home to massive celebrations, festivals, and a diverse city culture, Pensacola residents enjoy a combination of beach and sprawling coastal city life. With a downtown core that is bayfront, great restaurants and a ton of history, this city is a seaside gem in Florida. Alys and Rosemary beach are found along the 30A highway stretch and offer stunning coastline landscapes. Another fun fact is that Pensacola Florida is only a 2.5 hour drive to New Orleans.

Pensacola is extremely affordable and any budget can find a situation to live comfortably. The Pensacola housing market is absolutely booming right now. Military families are moved there continuously every year and Navy Federal and NAS Pensacola are the two largest employers in the entire region.

The Raleigh and Durham area is in the middle of the state, where the shifting seasons of the mountainous west give way to the balmier tides of the coastal east. The weather in this region of North Carolina is temperate but accents mild seasons with high-temperature peaks in the summer.

This region has employment opportunities in research, education, and technology development. Rich urban and suburban life offers plenty of activities with access to a diverse range of public and private school options, from high school to graduate school.  

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill tops our list because this NC Research Triangle offers reasonable median salaries, mid-range property prices, and an overall high quality of life rating.

A beautiful region filled with iconic landmarks independently owned businesses and trendsetting residents, San Francisco has long followed the beat of its own drum. Morphed and molded by its communities, the California metro area has been the heart of the bohemian lifestyle, the epicenter of the LGBT rights movement and the launching point of the technology era. Today, San Francisco is a complete universe in and of itself: Each neighborhood exudes its own personality, from the historic streets of the Mission District to the grassy hills of the Presidio to the bustling piers along the Embarcadero.

San Franciscans are bound by a strong sense of pride in their region; despite the sky-high prices, many residents will tell you that they can't imagine living anywhere else.

The San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose provides a gathering space for foodies who come to stock up on produce from local farms. For a different type of shopping, residents head to Santana Row in West San Jose, which has upscale shops and boutiques. Professional sports fans root for the Sharks (hockey) at the SAP Center ("the Shark Tank" to locals) and the Earthquakes (soccer) at PayPal Park. For football, San Joseans head to the state-of-the-art Levi's Stadium in neighboring Santa Clara, now home to the San Francisco 49ers.

Also, camping and hiking in Yosemite National Park, as well as skiing and watersports in Lake Tahoe, are just a few hours' drive away. For more relaxing escapes, Napa Valley wine country is less than two hours away by car, and the Santa Cruz beaches are a 45-minute drive. And for technology enthusiasts, The Tech Interactive offers hundreds of family-friendly hands-on exhibits devoted to STEM educational experiences.

Lined by white beaches with crystal-clear water, Sarasota has beautiful beach city life and suburban Florida culture wrapped in a gorgeous package. Sarasota is popular Floridian city for both retirees and families alike and reaches multiple "best of" list every year.

While median home prices in Sarasota soar to over $350,000, residential and commercial property remains affordable in the region.