The 125 Best Places to Live in America, Ranked

Real Estate Rankings

Best Places to Live
Best Places to Retire

Rankings Category

Population Size

X-Large 2.5M+ (21)
Large 1M - 2.5M (32)
Medium 500K - 1M (48)
Small 50K - 500K (49)

Average Rent

Median Home Price

Commute Time

< 20 minutes (2)
20 - 30 minutes (138)
30+ minutes (10)

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150 place matches

Austin, TX

#1 in Best Places to Live

People are drawn to the Texas capital's music, outdoor spaces and cultural institutions. Austin was established along the Colorado Ri… more

7.6 Overall Score
7.3 Quality of Life
6.7 Value

Denver, CO

#2 in Best Places to Live

Founded in the mid-1800s as a mining hub during the gold rush, Denver has come a long way since its Wild West days. Over time, its re… more

7.4 Overall Score
7.0 Quality of Life
6.7 Value

Colorado Springs, CO

#3 in Best Places to Live

Colorado Springs might not jump off the map as an economic or cultural hub the way larger metro areas like Denver do. But in a quiete… more

7.4 Overall Score
7.0 Quality of Life
6.6 Value

Fayetteville, AR

#4 in Best Places to Live

Located in a region that's experiencing drastic growth, Fayetteville – together with Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale – has transfo… more

7.3 Overall Score
7.5 Quality of Life
8.2 Value

Des Moines, IA

#5 in Best Places to Live

The capital of this so-called flyover state may not top your to-visit list, but Des Moines is a great place to live and raise a famil… more

7.3 Overall Score
7.0 Quality of Life
8.4 Value

Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

#6 in Best Places to Live

Minneapolis and St. Paul not only have big-city amenities like museums and sports stadiums, but also have an approachable Midwestern … more

7.3 Overall Score
7.1 Quality of Life
7.7 Value

San Francisco, CA

#7 in Best Places to Live

A beautiful region filled with iconic landmarks, independently owned businesses and trendsetting residents, San Francisco has long fo… more

7.3 Overall Score
6.8 Quality of Life
4.9 Value

Portland, OR

#8 in Best Places to Live

Portland's population toes the line between an innocent playfulness and a shameless wild side. Naked bicycle rides, a fully costumed … more

7.2 Overall Score
6.7 Quality of Life
6.0 Value

Seattle, WA

#9 in Best Places to Live

To answer the question on many people's mind: "No, it doesn't rain all the time." Seattle gets less rain annually than Boston, New Yo… more

7.2 Overall Score
6.6 Quality of Life
5.9 Value

Raleigh & Durham, NC

#10 in Best Places to Live

Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill are known for their research/technology roots and collegiate rivalries. This tri-city region (known a… more

7.2 Overall Score
6.9 Quality of Life
7.7 Value