Best Places to Live in the US

Whether you’re looking for a better job, a fresh start or you’re simply stuck in a rut — change can be a good thing. Thankfully, our beautiful country is home to thousands of amazing cities.

From large, densely populated metropolises to quaint, mid-size towns, there’s a city to fit everyone’s individual lifestyles, interests and budgets. Before you start the house-hunting process though, we recommend taking a look at these 10 great places to call home.

As our main source, we used the U.S. News & World Report which analyzed the 150 most populous metro areas for its latest list of best places to live in the U.S. These 10 metro areas offer booming job markets and high quality of life, as well as plenty of cultural activities, good eats and beautiful surroundings.

The 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024

1. Green Bay, WI — Green Bay’s claim to fame is being home to the storied football franchise the Green Bay Packers, but it’s the mix of big-city amenities and the small-town feel that attracts young families and retirees alike to this Midwestern city in northeast Wisconsin (it also happens to be the state’s oldest settlement). There’s a lot to love about Green Bay: a robust arts and entertainment scene, recreation options on the Fox River, two college campuses, walking and biking nature trails by the river, trendy shopping and dining options, and a thriving craft beer industry.
2. Huntsville, AL — Huntsville remains among the fastest-growing metro areas in Alabama, leaving its small-town past firmly behind. Located in the Appalachian region of northern Alabama, Huntsville is now the most populous city in the state. Technology, space, and defense industries have a major presence with the Army’s Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and Cummings Research Park. As a result, a large portion of the population works in engineering and defense. Huntsville is also home to several Fortune 500 companies in the manufacturing, retail and service industries. You will also find a revitalized downtown, craft breweries, and great shopping and dining options. Due to new construction, there are also more places to live than ever before.
3. Raleigh-Durham, NC — If you’re looking for an area with a family-friendly atmosphere and a strong job market, then consider the Raleigh-Durham metro area. Located next door to each other, the southern tri-city region (which includes Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill) is often listed as a top five place to live in the United States, citing a healthy influx of new residents, robust job growth, high quality of life, and a strong sense of community. For the gastronomes and craft beer enthusiasts out there, you should also know that this area offers a hot restaurant scene and a wide selection of buzz-worthy microbreweries.
   
4. Boulder, CO — Boulder is a city at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, located in northern Colorado. Downtown’s pedestrian Pearl Street Mall includes art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. The University of Colorado Boulder campus is home to the Fiske Planetarium and the Museum of Natural History. Boulder’s residents enjoy numerous music venues, renowned restaurants, walkable public spaces, incredible mountain views, and numerous options for wellness as well as outdoor recreation. This and more put Boulder on the map as the city many want to live in.
5. Sarasota, FL — How would you like to live by the beach? Florida has a lot of great beach towns, but Sarasota stands out for its art scene and fine dining. It is also one of the nation’s fastest-growing communities. And it boasts one of the best beaches in the world, Siesta Beach. As if that weren’t enough, six islands sit off the city’s coastline. Enjoy sunbathing, hiking, golfing, and more. People who chose to call Sarasota home are typically attracted to its unique charm and coastal vibe.
6. Naples, FL — Naples sits on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida. It’s known for high-end shopping and golf courses. The Naples Pier, first erected in 1888, is the city’s symbol, and is a popular fishing and dolphin-spotting destination. It’s flanked by miles of beaches with calm waters and fine white sand, including those at the two nearby state parks. Naples is more though that pristine beaches, golf courses and snowbirds. Farming communities surround the city, and the bustling cities of Tampa and Miami are a short drive away.
7. Portland, ME — Notice that we’re talking about Portland located in Maine, on a peninsula extending into Casco Bay, not Oregon. The Old Port district is a sight to behold, with its working fishing wharves and converted warehouses that house shops and restaurants. Nearby, the Western Promenade, a public park atop a bluff, offers river and mountain views. The nearby district of West End is home to Victorian-era houses. If you live here, you’ll enjoy the thriving farm-to-table dining scene. Local shops feature homegrown or homemade products, and the island lifestyle vibe prevails.
8. Charlotte, NC — Charlotte is no stranger to the “best places to live” lists, offering plenty of Southern charm along with the modern cosmopolitan amenities one would expect from a thriving urban area. Charlotte is fortunately positioned in the Piedmont region of North Carolina and is a few hours’ drive away from the state’s best beaches and the Appalachian Mountains. Charlotte is full of diverse neighborhoods and sprawling suburbs. Local culture has a flair, the weather is temperate, museums and parks abound, and the dining scene is exploding. The recent population growth was spurred in part due to the fact that the city is the second-largest banking hub in the U.S. behind New York City.
9. Colorado Springs, CO — Colorado Springs is located at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 6,035 ft. The nearby glacier-carved Pikes Peak, a landmark in Pike National Forest with hiking trails and a cog railway leading to its 14,114-ft. summit. So, if you like mountains as a backdrop for where you live, Boulder is for you. Stunning mountain views, the colorful gold rush history that has left its imprint on Victorian architecture, the friendly, small-town feel, and the bustling downtown balanced well with the booming suburbs — you’ll find it all in Boulder.
10. Fayetteville, AR — Fayetteville is the second-most populous city in Arkansas, located on the outskirts of the Boston Mountains, deep within the Ozarks. Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas, the state’s flagship university. Both Walmart and the headquarters of Tyson Foods call the city home. The region keeps experiencing growth, transforming Fayetteville into a cultural and commercial hub with active local art and food scenes, live music venues, festivals, and more. Fayetteville is also a paradise for those who enjoy the outdoors, with its state parks, hiking trails, community green space, and playgrounds.

Other great cities to consider

Lucky for us, America has many potentially great places to live. In addition to these towns listed above, we recommend researching these other highly regarded cities:

• Arlington, VA
• Atlanta, GA
• Austin, TX
• Boston, MA
• Columbus, OH
• Denver, CO
• Des Moines, IA
• Fort Worth, TX
• Grand Rapids, MI
• Greenville, SC
• Indianapolis, IN
• Irvine, CA
• Jacksonville, FL
• Madison, WI
• Melbourne, FL
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN
• Nashville, TN
• New York, NY
• Newton, MA
• Orlando, FL
• Phoenix, AZ
• Plano, TX
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• San Jose, CA
• Tampa, FL
• Washington, DC

Ready to Move to One of These Cities?

Learn more about these cities through our City Profile Report feature, which includes city demographics, real estate, economic makeup, income, education, and residential information. Simply enter the zip code or the state and city of your potential move, and get a free report at the click of a button.

If you think you want to make one of these states your new home, you may need to hire professionals to handle your relocation. To find a trustworthy moving company, check out Moversnearyou.info’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers – all licensed and insured. By choosing a Moversnearyou.info mover, you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands.