Among the factors contributing to our Best Places to Live rankings – including affordability, job market and population growth due to net migration – U.S. News surveys people throughout the country to determine where residents would live if given the choice. According to SurveyMonkey results, here are the 25 most desired places to live out of the 125 most populous metro areas in the country.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 65 Metro Population: 547,688 Median Home Price: $221,800 Median Annual Salary: $47,320
Many of the metro areas on the Most Desirable Places to Live list offer ample outdoor enjoyment with either warm weather and beaches or four seasons and mountains – and Spokane falls in the latter category. This eastern Washington metro area has Mt. Spokane nearby, as well as plenty of state parks, waterfalls and trails that allow residents to get outdoors.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 117 Metro Population: 433,168 Median Home Price: $581,342 Median Annual Salary: $48,290
South of the Bay Area and near the California coast, the Salinas metro area offers more varied weather than sunny Southern California and attracts many people looking to live near Monterey Bay.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 78 Metro Population: 454,482 Median Home Price: $211,083 Median Annual Salary: $42,500
Located along Florida’s Atlantic coast, Port St. Lucie is a smaller metro area compared to neighboring Miami or Orlando, but its beach access and year-round warm weather have many Americans wishing they lived in the area.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 75 Metro Population: 432,772 Median Home Price: $181,800 Median Annual Salary: $35,890
Myrtle Beach is the fastest-growing metro area in the U.S., having grown by 17.41% between 2013 and 2017 due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Myrtle Beach is a tourism destination that makes many dream they could return on a more permanent basis.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 70 Metro Population: 399,360 Median Home Price: $259,900 Median Annual Salary: $58,980
It may be a bit of a surprise that the northernmost place of the 125 most populous metro areas in the U.S. is also one of the most desirable, but residents are intrigued by the possibility of living in Anchorage. The city has ample access to outdoor activities, and residents have the opportunity to live on more land.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 18 Metro Population: 768,381 Median Home Price: $237,260 Median Annual Salary: $42,680
A popular retirement destination with a median resident age over 51, Sarasota is seeing its population grow rapidly. It’s no wonder, with year-round warm weather and beaches popular among tourists and residents alike.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 31 Metro Population: 658,195 Median Home Price: $145,725 Median Annual Salary: $44,910
For those seeking a southern atmosphere without too much altitude or sand, Winston-Salem is a perfect fit. This spot in central North Carolina doesn’t attract vacationers like the Outer Banks on the coast, but it draws many for North Carolina barbecue and annual festivals that celebrate different backgrounds and interests.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 114 Metro Population: 1,260,660 Median Home Price: $193,575 Median Annual Salary: $43,310
The largest metro area in Louisiana is best known for its Mardi Gras celebration, and U.S. residents like the laid-back atmosphere New Orleans exudes year-round, making it the No. 18 Most Desirable Place to Live in 2019.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 73 Metro Population: 442,996 Median Home Price: $463,750 Median Annual Salary: $54,320
The Santa Barbara metro area is close enough to Los Angeles to make it accessible, but it's far enough away that residents can appreciate the more remote location, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Los Padres National Forest.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 16 Metro Population: 445,625 Median Home Price: $248,500 Median Annual Salary: $41,210
On the opposite side of the country, Asheville’s big draw for many would-be residents is its mountain setting, combined with a quirky small-city atmosphere that attracts artists, musicians and fans of outdoor concerts and public art displays.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 37 Metro Population: 476,702 Median Home Price: $175,875 Median Annual Salary: $41,200
For access to Florida beaches and a bit more of a southern feel, look no further than this metro area in the Florida Panhandle. While Pensacola may not get the same attention from tourists as the likes of Orlando or Miami, Pensacola still sees plenty of visitors and new residents every year.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 26 Metro Population: 4,561,038 Median Home Price: $234,183 Median Annual Salary: $49,500
For a drier but still hot climate, Phoenix also attracts many residents looking to skip winter altogether. Aside from those looking to live in Phoenix full time, snowbirds – people who winter down south and summer in the northern states – are common in the Arizona metro area.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 15 Metro Population: 1,830,410 Median Home Price: $248,883 Median Annual Salary: $47,110
The capital of Tennessee is also considered the place to go for a career in country music. But Nashville is a dream hometown for many others, as the area has a rapidly growing population due to migration over the past five years.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 35 Metro Population: 700,165 Median Home Price: $219,200 Median Annual Salary: $41,380
Ranking No. 8 on 2018’s Most Desirable Places to Live list, Fort Myers falls back to No. 12 this year. Fort Myers is a popular retirement destination as well as an attractive beach-lined vacation spot.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 107 Metro Population: 18,585,594 Median Home Price: $526,214 Median Annual Salary: $53,803
The second-most populous metro area in the U.S. is a highly desirable place to live, serving as a destination for tourism, the film industry and sunny, warm weather.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 2 Metro Population: 2,798,684 Median Home Price: $393,842 Median Annual Salary: $57,400
The Mile High City is a top destination particularly for millennials, who are attracted to Denver’s flourishing job market and proximity to the Rocky Mountains, where countless outdoor opportunities are just a short drive away.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 1 Metro Population: 2,000,590 Median Home Price: $292,500 Median Annual Salary: $51,840
Austin's population grew by 10.09% between 2013 and 2017 due to net migration, which shows that many people are already acting on their wish to move to the Texas captial to enjoy its rapidly expanding job market, warm climate and unique cultural vibe. With many tech companies opening offices here or even fully relocating from Silicon Valley, Austin is yet another place to live if your focus is on job opportunities.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 90 Metro Population: 21,139,370 Median Home Price: $386,862 Median Annual Salary: $63,079
The largest metro area in the U.S. takes the No. 8 spot on this year’s Most Desirable Places to Live list. A global hub for finance, fashion, entertainment and so much more, New York City is a widely recognized dream locale for many people, young and old.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 9 Metro Population: 3,735,216 Median Home Price: $442,333 Median Annual Salary: $63,120
Whether you’re a fan of Amazon or you simply like the rainier Pacific Northwest climate, you’re not alone if you prefer Seattle to some of the hotter places on the list. The nearby mountains and ocean make it easy to escape for outdoor excursions.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 71 Metro Population: 2,112,436 Median Home Price: $271,767 Median Annual Salary: $44,450
Jumping up from No. 21 on the 2018 list, Las Vegas is best known for its casinos and high-profile entertainment. While Las Vegas is regarded as a city dedicated to the tourism industry, survey results reveal that many people would love to make their visit to Sin City permanent.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 7 Metro Population: 4,641,820 Median Home Price: $768,517 Median Annual Salary: $69,700
As part of a four-way tie, San Francisco joins three other metro areas at No. 1 as the most desirable metro areas in the U.S. San Francisco's hilly streets and Victorian row houses captivate residents and tourists, and the city’s reputation as a place where free spirits and tech innovators thrive is another major draw.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 8 Metro Population: 2,382,037 Median Home Price: $375,425 Median Annual Salary: $55,330
Ranking second for desirability in 2018, Portland joins the four-way tie for first in 2019. Portland is best known for its independent businesses, easy access to hiking trails and quirky food and nightlife options.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 3 Metro Population: 698,595 Median Home Price: $286,700 Median Annual Salary: $50,050
Colorado Springs takes a No. 1 spot for desirability for the second year in a row. Residents have easy access to the mountains and can take advantage of both hiking in the foothills and skiing at well-known resort towns in the Rockies.
Best Places to Live 2019 Rank: 60 Metro Population: 990,060 Median Home Price: $581,658 Median Annual Salary: $54,030
Returning to No. 1 after ranking fourth in 2018, Honolulu is known as both an ideal travel destination and a desirable place to live. There’s little doubt many vacationers wish their time spent relaxing in Honolulu could be extended indefinitely.
Devon Thorsby
is the Real Estate editor at U.S. News & World Report, where she writes consumer-focused articles about the homebuying and selling process, home improvement, tenant rights and the state of the housing market.
She has appeared in media interviews across the U.S. including National Public Radio, WTOP (Washington, D.C.) and KOH (Reno, Nevada) and various print publications, as well as having served on panels discussing real estate development, city planning policy and homebuilding.
Previously, she served as a researcher of commercial real estate transactions and information, and is currently a member of the National Association of Real Estate Editors. Thorsby studied Political Science at the University of Michigan, where she also served as a news reporter and editor for the student newspaper The Michigan Daily. Follow her on Twitter or write to her at dthorsby@usnews.com.