Best Cities to Live in USA | Best Places to Live in the US

Best Cities to Live in USA | Best Places to Live in the US

Many factors, such as climate, politics, or proximity to extended family, are subjective when deciding where to establish permanent roots.

Nearly everyone wants access to affordable housing, well-paying jobs, a low cost of living, excellent schools, and high-quality healthcare.

Major cities continue to be desirable locations for living and working, despite some people moving to the suburbs during the pandemic. Here are the top suggestions for the Best Cities to Live in USA in 2024 if you’re rethinking where you can call home or thinking about moving this year.

Best Cities to Live in the USA

With the number of beautiful and fulfilling cities in the US, the decision of where should I move to or the best cities to live in the US remains a puzzle, especially for those searching for the best cities to move to start a new life in the US.

Nonetheless, you don’t need to search for too long again. Our update today provides all the updates you need about the best places to live in the US for families and the best places to raise a family in the US.

1. Huntsville, Alabama

Because of its robust job market and affordable cost of living, Huntsville moves up the rankings from No. 3 in 2021 to No. 1 in 2024–2025—a desirable combination for many people considering to migrate.

Out of the 150 most populated metro areas in the U.S., this one in northern Alabama has the third-most reasonable cost of living. It also has a high concentration of STEM-related businesses, which raises the average annual pay for the locals.

Metro Population: 464,607
Median Home Price: $192,667
Average Annual Salary: $58,730

2. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs, which has previously shared the title of the best city to live in with places like Honolulu and other well-liked vacation spots, now takes the top spot in 2024. The Colorado Springs climbs to No. 2 in this year’s list of the Best Places to Live because of steady population growth brought on by net migration and a consistently robust job market.

Although residents spend 25,96% of the metro region’s typical household income on housing costs, the rising cost of living has made the area less affordable.

Metro Population: 735,480
Median Home Price: $455,371
Average Annual Salary: $55,540

3. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay, which is best known as the NFL team’s Packers’ hometown, is located about 100 miles north of Milwaukee. When compared to the region’s median household income, Green Bay has the lowest cost of living on the Best Places to Live list.

Only 20.03 percent of the median family income in Green Bay is spent on rent or mortgage payments, plus additional expenses like taxes and utilities. Green Bay, Wisconsin is family-friendly and is one of the best places to raise a family in the US

Metro Population: 320,827
Median Home Price: $181,700
Average Annual Salary: $50,020

4. Boulder, Colorado

Boulder falls to No. 4 after holding the top spot among the 150 most populous metro areas in the US for two years. Boulder receives good marks for its quality of life and robust job economy.

Behind San Jose, Boulder’s high school graduates are the second most prepared for college. Boulder’s cost of living, like that of San Jose, is high, accounting for 27.26% of the average household income. With the mountains at their doorstep and an average yearly income of $70,450, residents of Boulder enjoy an exceptional quality of life.

Metro Population: 324,682
Median Home Price: $528,833
Average Annual Salary: $70,450

5. San Jose, California

San Jose, the seat of Silicon Valley and a major player in the IT sector moves up 31 ranks this year to claim the No. 5 spot on the list of the best places to live in the US. Since there are so many high-paying employment opportunities in San Jose, many residents don’t have any trouble making enough money to live comfortably.

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San Jose High School students score highest for college preparedness among residents of the 150 largest U.S. metro areas, and the city comes in second in overall well-being.

Metro Population: 1,985,926
Median Home Price: $1,302,118
Average Annual Salary: $93,450

6. Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina

Due to its affordability and robust job market, the Raleigh and Durham metro area remains a popular spot for people to move. Industries in the region that are continually growing include research, technology, education, and health care.

Because of its lower ranking for desirability, the Raleigh and Durham metro area drops from its position at No. 2 on the overall best cities to live in USA, but that doesn’t mean people have stopped moving to the metro area.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, net migration caused the Raleigh and Durham metro region to grow by 5.75 percent between 2016 and 2021. If you are looking at the best cities to move and start a new life, consider Raleigh and Durham.

Metro Population: 1,999,253
Median Home Price: $369,707
Average Annual Salary: $59,174

7. Fayetteville, Arkansas

This rapidly expanding metro area in Arkansas has consistently placed high on lists of the Best Places to Live in the US, and this year is no exception. They rank Fayetteville seventh in 2024 because of its low cost of living relative to household income, rapid population expansion brought on by net migration, and stable job environment. Just 20.56 percent of typical household income in the Fayetteville area is spent on housing costs.

Metro Population: 526,101
Median Home Price: $203,150
Average Annual Salary: $50,470

8. Portland, Maine

Due to its high standard of living, relatively stable job market, and expanding reputation as a desirable location to live, Maine’s most populous metro area maintains its No. 8 ranking from 2021.

Additionally, they rank Portland 10th out of 150 metro regions for quality of life, considering factors including high school students’ readiness for college, accessibility to high-quality healthcare, crime, air pollution, typical commute times, and people’s overall well-being.

According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, we rank Portland No. 4 for having low rates of property crime, violent crime, and murder, and No. 12 for air quality based on the EPA’s Air Quality Index.

Metro Population: 536,314
Median Home Price: $310,300
Average Annual Salary: $55,790

9. Sarasota, Florida

The city of Sarasota has been in the top 10 for the past two years. Sarasota is the tenth most desired place to live on the list, and it is located on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Sarasota is the third-fastest expanding metro region in the country, trailing only Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Lakeland, Florida, among the 150 areas ranked.

According to the US Census Bureau, net migration increased Sarasota’s population by 12.01 percent from 2016 to 2021. While searching for the best cities to move to and start a new life, Sarasota presents a good option to start on.

Metro Population: 821,613
Median Home Price: $387,630
Average Annual Salary: $48,180

10. San Francisco

Because of its excellent job market, San Francisco is typically at the top of the Best Places to Live in the US list. Following its Bay City neighbor, San Jose, and Washington, D.C., the area boasts the third-best job market out of the 150 metro areas on the list.

The average annual wage in San Francisco is $81,840. It also comes in fifth place for desirability among the 150 metro regions on the list, according to a survey of about 3,500 people conducted across the United States.

Metro Population: 4,709,220
Median Home Price: $1,047,714
Average Annual Salary: $81,840

11. Ann Arbor, Michigan

The University of Michigan is the most well-known institution in this southeastern Michigan metro area. Ann Arbor is the best-rated metro area for quality of life, with excellent marks in education, health care, well-being, and air quality.

According to data from the U.S. News Best Hospitals rating, Ann Arbor has the fifth-best access to quality health care among the 150 most populated metro areas in the United States. High school students in Ann Arbor look set to be prepared for college, with the metro region ranking fifth in college readiness.

Metro Population: 368,385
Median Home Price: $270,567
Average Annual Salary: $59,200

12. Naples, Florida

Naples, located on the southern end of Florida’s Gulf Coast, where the Everglades begin, doesn’t draw the same number of visitors as Miami or Tampa, but many people desire to settle there – and many have already done so.

According to the US Census Bureau, net migration boosted the population of Naples by 9.06 percent between 2016 and 2021. Another plus is Naples’ air quality, which ranks 14th out of the 150 most populous metro regions in the United States, based on its AQI score.

Metro Population: 379,345
Median Home Price: $345,000
Average Annual Salary: $50,040

13. Austin, Texas

Austin drops to No. 13 in the Best Cities to Live in USA list for 2024-2025, after being in the top five for the previous six years. The rising cost of living has affected many people who want to live in the Austin metro region, making it less popular, as seen by a survey asking Americans where they would want to live.

Despite this, Austin has a lot to offer, and the metro area’s population is growing due to net migration.

Metro Population: 2,173,804
Median Home Price: $377,693
Average Annual Salary: $57,830

14. Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines, at No. 14, is another metro region that appeals to people because of its low cost of living – a factor that more people are considering in recent years as they consider moving to a new section of the country.

Housing expenditures account for 21.03 percent of the local median annual household income in Des Moines. Des Moines residents benefit from having the 12th shortest average commute time out of the 150 most populated metro areas in the United States, at just 20.7 minutes.

Metro Population: 690,585
Median Home Price: $273,134
Average Annual Salary: $55,660

15. Boise, Idaho

With good marks for population growth due to net migration, quality of life, and housing affordability compared to median yearly household income, Idaho’s capital made the list.

To cover rent or mortgage payments, as well as additional housing costs like property taxes and utilities, residents only require 23.15 percent of their typical household income. Boise ranks lower in terms of desirability among Americans evaluating where they wish to live.

Idaho remains top of the best places to live in the US for families, majorly because of the quality of life in the city.

Metro Population: 730,483
Median Home Price: $221,475
Average Annual Salary: $49,010

16. Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Grand Rapids metro area in western Michigan may be the place for you if you’re seeking a more affordable place to live. Housing costs, including rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, and utilities, account for only 20.71 percent of the median household income in the Grand Rapids area.

In addition, they tie Grand Rapids High School students for 29th place in college preparedness among the 150 metro areas on the ranking, with students from Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin.

Metro Population: 1,069,696
Median Home Price: $296,730
Average Annual Salary: $49,700

17. Madison, Wisconsin

We rank Madison No. 17 on the Best Cities to Live in USA, thanks to the metro area’s high quality of life scores. According to the Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, this Wisconsin metro region ranks sixth in overall quality of life and 17th in people’s feelings of well-being. Madison’s residents also benefit from a short morning commute, spending just 22 minutes, on average, getting to work in the morning.

Metro Population: 660,212
Median Home Price: $348,940
Average Annual Salary: $57,680

18. Boston

Boston, which ranks 18th overall on the Best Cities to Live in USA, is known for its outstanding quality of life. The city is ranked No. 7 in a rating that considers a variety of characteristics that individuals deem significant when moving to a new city, such as educational quality, proximity to great health care, crime, commute, air quality, and overall well-being of citizens.

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There are drawbacks to living in a major American city: Out of the 150 most populous cities in the United States, the Boston metro region is the 25th most expensive.

Metro Population: 4,854,808
Median Home Price: $632,943
Average Annual Salary: $73,850

19. Washington, D.C.

With a consistently high-ranking employment market, good evaluations for college preparedness among high school students, and overall contentment among inhabitants, the District of Columbia leaps nine points to No. 19 this year.

The Sharecare Community Well-Being Index ranks Washington third among the 150 most populated metro areas in the United States, behind San Francisco and San Jose, California. Washington, after San Jose, has the second-best job market in the United States, with low unemployment relative to the rest of the country and average yearly pay of $77,210.

Metro Population: 6,250,309
Median Home Price: $521,277
Average Annual Salary: $77,210

20. Melbourne, Florida

Melbourne is ranked No. 20 in the Best Cities to Live in USA list this year, owing to its significant population expansion because of net migration. According to the US Census Bureau, net migration grew in the Melbourne metro area by 8.14 percent from 2016 to 2021.

According to data from the U.S. News Best High School ranking, the Melbourne metro area ranks 19th out of the 150 most populated metro areas in the United States for college preparedness among high school students.

Metro Population: 594,001
Median Home Price: $217,400
Average Annual Salary: $51,740

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the cheapest place to live in the United States?

At $500 median rent per month and a median home price of $147,700, Wichita is the cheapest place to live in America.

What is the #1 Best Place to Live in the US?

Boulder, Colorado is number one. The Best Places to Live in the United States was determined by a number of factors, including the local job market, housing affordability, quality of life, the desirability of living in that area for non-residents, and the area’s appeal in actually attracting new residents, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Where are the best places to live out west?

Many people choose to live in the West, although there are desirable places to live all over the country. The climate in the area is ideal for a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, swimming, surfing, and skiing. Western state residents are among the healthiest in the country. Below are some good places to live out in the West.

  • Portland, Oregon.
  • San Francisco, California.
  • Seattle.
  • San Jose, California.
  • Salem, Oregon.

In Conclusion

With many exciting and unique experiences peculiar to each state in the United States, it’s hard to make a choice of where best to live. But, with the help of our research associates and experts, we have been able to narrow down the search to the 20 best cities to live in the USA.

The choice of any city above will guarantee you a fulfilled stay in the United States.

Lastly, the Moden News team will appreciate you more if you check out our Reviews category. And also drop your comments in the comment section, so we can know how to serve you better.

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