U.S. News Best Places Rankings

U.S. News analyzed the 125 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live.

To identify the best places to retire, U.S. News analyzed data for the 125 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. to assess how well they meet Americans' retirement needs and expectations.

The cities with the best quality of life have high scores on U.S. News’ Quality of Life Index.

Based on the median gross rent and annual housing costs for mortgage-paying homeowners of each metro area, these are the cities with the lowest cost of living in the country.

Whether you’re looking to relocate after winning the lottery or want to know which areas of the country to avoid to save money, these are the most expensive places to live.

The fastest-growing cities in the country are determined by the net migration of each metro area, which is measured by the growth or decline of the population over the past five years.

Based on the metro areas’ murder and property crime rates per 100,000 people, these are the safest places to live in the country.

Based on the metro areas’ murder and property crime rates per 100,000 people, these are the most dangerous places to live in the United States.

The best places to live in the Sunshine State span the beaches, coasts, farmland and tourism centers.

California is the most populous state in the country. See why so many people flock to these cities.

Everything is bigger in Texas, so if you’re looking to upgrade, consider the best places to live in the Lone Star State.

From the Adirondack Mountains to the nonstop activity of New York City, New York state’s economy is led by financial services, health care, professional services, retail trade, manufacturing and education.

The Centennial State is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and craft beer lovers. From bicycling and brewery tours to Red Rocks and Pikes Peak, Coloradans can enjoy recreation in sun and snow.

Whether it’s the beaches of the Coastal Plain; Piedmont, the plateau that extends from the Southeast to the Northeast; or the Appalachian Mountains; North Carolina has many desirable landscapes to choose from.

Home to popular vacation towns, South Carolina is known for beaches, warm weather and hundreds of golf courses.

More than just the home of the City of Brotherly Love, Pennsylvania is also known as the Keystone State and contains national forests.

Explore the best places to live in Tennessee, a state known for rock ‘n’ roll, country music and Graceland, as well as the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.

No matter where you live in Ohio, almost everyone knows the same chant and refrain – “OH!” “IO!” – to cheer on Ohio State sports teams. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Ohio River cruises and Cedar Point, a destination for roller coaster junkies, are other points of pride for Ohioans.

People willing to weather the humid summers in the Yellowhammer State can enjoy a relatively low cost of living and outdoor activities ranging from food truck festivals and concerts to hiking in the woods or strolling along a beach boardwalk.

Residents of the Great Lakes State can expect mild summers, cold, snowy winters and a relatively low cost of living.

Mild winters, live music, sports teams and of course, the culinary scene are all components of the Pelican State’s culture.