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.
125 matches
High to Low
125 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 ... 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 ... 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 quie... 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 trans... 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 fam... 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 Midwester... 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 ... 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 costume... 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 ... 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... more
- 7.2 Overall Score
- 6.9 Quality of Life
- 7.7 Value