Best Places to Live in the United States

One factor influencing our choice of residence can be climate. A city’s climate could determine whether we prefer humid summers or cool winters.

Home buyers consider factors like schools, crime rates, outdoor adventure opportunities and job availability when considering potential new locations for living. A vibrant economy, affordable living arrangements and cultural diversity also play a part. Here are the best places to live in America!

1. New York City

Americans across America are migrating to new cities in increasing numbers, often out of necessity because they can no longer afford the high rent in an expensive location; others want a change of scene or closer proximity to family.

NYC offers an invigorating cityscape, with 8.4 million residents and its iconic skyline as its centerpiece. Home to beloved attractions you know from TV as well as hidden gems to discover, this cosmopolitan metropolis provides something exciting and unexpected for adventurers of all kinds. Living in different NYC neighborhoods may feel like entering another country altogether; each has its own distinct character and lifestyle – discover a New York City that mirrors its diversity! Image credit via Shutterstock.

2. Boston

Boston offers an abundance of cultural activities and stunning natural attractions that appeal to visitors of all ages, as well as beautiful landmarks that attract families with young children. Children will love exploring Harvard Yard or exploring museums with tours designed especially for them, while history buffs will delight in its architectural marvels, from Beacon Hill neighborhoods to historic squares and waterfront piers.

Town of Pinedale offers affordable outdoor adventures. A charming downtown boasts independent bookstores and restaurants; proximity to Columbia River Gorge provides stunning hiking opportunities.

Loneliness can be detrimental to our health, and communities play an essential role in combatting it. Towns that rank highly on this list offer assets like strong support networks and access to healthcare that help mitigate loneliness. *SmartAsset’s ranking methodology takes into account costs related to living expenses, home values, job opportunities and quality of life as factors when ranking these towns.

3. San Francisco

San Francisco, the “City by the Bay”, boasts iconic attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf that provide ample sightseeing opportunities. Meanwhile, intriguing neighborhoods such as Chinatown, North Beach, and Haight-Ashbury provide shopping, dining, cultural experience and outdoor adventure.

WalletHub researchers say San Francisco provides an ideal balance of affordability, health and wellness, education and quality of life. Its many parks – particularly Golden Gate Park – are welcome respites from urban living.

Boulder stands out as an attractive city due to its breathtaking natural beauty and health-oriented community, drawing those seeking a balanced lifestyle to its shores. Additionally, Boulder ranks highly for job market, housing affordability and quality of life rankings; families often opt for it due to the university presence as well as top-ranked school district and numerous family-oriented attractions in Boulder.

4. Austin

Texas’ state capital city of Austin boasts outdoor adventure, foodies and live music alike. Additionally, home to University of Texas Austin which provides impactful research with student-centric culture is another draw for visitors to Texas.

The inland city is full of contrasts, offering the best of rural and urban, sporty and smart, counterculture and high society living. It is a vibrant hub for arts and education; also making an excellent home base for families.

With its temperate climate and 961,855 residents in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties, Austin provides ideal conditions for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. Get to know more about Austin by exploring its history and demographics.

5. Los Angeles

The “city of angels” offers families and young professionals alike an enjoyable living environment, from hiking trails to shopping and restaurants; to experiencing culture through LACMA and Getty Center.

Shoppers, diners and concert/sporting event enthusiasts alike will appreciate living here. However, traffic can often be poor and it may not be safe to walk around alone at night.

WalletHub ranks states based on affordability, economy, education and health as well as quality of life considerations. Click here for full rankings.

6. Chicago

Chicago boasts an economy made up of major companies in finance, manufacturing, technology and healthcare. Residents enjoy an excellent quality of life thanks to great restaurants, parks, shopping opportunities and cultural offerings in this bustling city.

City life includes world-renowned museums, theaters and music venues as well as sporting teams like the Chicago Cubs and Bulls. Foodies will find everything from gourmet restaurants to local spots offering deep-dish pizza or hot dogs.

Niche recognized several suburbs of Chicago on this year’s list, with Naperville and Clarendon Hills both located in DuPage County scoring highly. According to Niche, both towns provide dense suburban environments with good schools and jobs aplenty as well as great public transport and access to walking trails – with only their higher cost of living being offset by their relatively low crime rates.

7. Denver

Denver is an ideal home base for outdoor enthusiasts, boasting access to Rocky Mountains hiking, biking and rafting trips as well as its extensive network of parks such as City Park and Washington Park.

Denver places great emphasis on health and fitness, boasting multiple gyms and outdoor workout spaces for its residents to use. Furthermore, Denver boasts numerous cultural attractions like the Denver Art Museum and Clyfford Still Museum which provide plenty of entertainment.

Denver residents love sports and can cheer for three professional teams located here: football (Denver Broncos), baseball (Colorado Rockies) and basketball (Denver Nuggets). Furthermore, Denver’s vibrant music scene has produced such artists as Aire, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and The Lumineers.

8. Atlanta

Millions of Americans are moving across America each year, some out of necessity (for instance they cannot afford rent in their current city or need more space for working from home), while others just for fun or wanting a change.

This year’s best places to live list is a mixture of small cities and major metropolitan centers, from college towns that blend culture and outdoor pursuits to historic mill cities that celebrate arts and architecture. Niche’s rankings are determined through an analysis of community data as well as millions of resident reviews; find out more about America’s premier living spots here.

9. San Diego

San Diego is well known as California’s beach city due to its year-round warm climate. Boasting 70 miles of dazzling beaches, as well as an exciting downtown scene with gourmet dining, nightlife and shopping offerings; San Diego certainly is California’s beach city!

Relocating to this city provides visitors with many cultural and outdoor activities, including 17 museums, a popular koala colony, and the 5,017-pipe Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Satisfy your cravings at Liberty Public Market – once a naval complex, now home to high-end restaurants and bars!

Are you considering moving? Check out this list of America’s best cities to live for more information, while ADT provides intelligent security solutions that can protect your new home – request a free quote now.

10. Seattle

Americans are making the move across America in search of better schools, jobs or a change of scenery – yet many don’t know where they should head next. Here is our guide on where they should head next!

Seattle is an energetic urban enclave on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, boasting stunning natural beauty and an exciting food scene. Additionally, Microsoft and Amazon call Seattle their home, making it a hub for high-tech businesses.

Boulder is an active arts community and health-conscious city located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, boasting forest bathing and free meditation sessions as part of an active arts scene. Towering mountains, incredible canyons and swift rivers invite hiking, biking and fly fishing activities as outdoor pursuits. In addition, Boulder boasts an efficient economy and low living costs. Furthermore, it excels in terms of safety and education standards.