U.S. News analyzed the 125 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life.
For more information on how we rank, read the Best Places to Live methodology.
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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 in Best Places to Live
A beautiful region filled with iconic landmarks, independently owned businesses and trendsetting residents, San Francisco has long fo… more
#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
#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
#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
