2023 Best Cities to Buy a House in America

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.32 out of 5  510 reviews

Current Resident: I always tell people The Woodlands is not an exciting place to live, but it is a nice place to live. When people from the greater Houston area hear "The Woodlands," they think of The Woodlands Mall. This is the most popular part of town, and it is conveniently located close to the freeway. The adjacent Market Street is an upscale shopping center that looks prettiest at night. Newcomers always point out the excess greenery and ask how we locals can find anything, but I have no problem with all the trees because the town is so well-organized. There are several zoning laws that ensure business and residential areas are clearly separated. There are plenty of franchise restaurants along the town's major streets. There are local churches and well-maintained parks hidden in every neighborhood. A common complaint is that residential streets do not have sidewalks. My least favorite part about TW is that it is a comedy desert. The closest comedy club is a 35-minute drive from the edge of town.... Read 510 reviews

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• Population 115,716

• City in Kansas

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  465 reviews

Former Resident: My family and I lived in a townhouse in Overland Park for three years. It was a great area! Lots to do - shopping, theatres, dinning, parks, bowling, IFly, etc. Great libraries. Appreciated the diversity of the area as we are a mixed race family - didn't experience any racism here. Lots of employers in this area with decent wages. A variety of housing costs - definitely getting more expensive but you still get a pretty good bang for your buck with basements adding to overall floorspace. The roads and parking lots are spacious so I didn't experience too much driving anxiety. The Overland Park school system is nice but they put a lot of pressure on fundraising. Don't miss their annual Carnival - So fun! Watching the news is concerning due to lots of crime in the Kansas City area - we lived in the safer side of town but the lower income areas have a problem with thefts. When choosing where to rent/buy - definitely speak with a local.... Read 465 reviews

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• Population 195,249

• City in Illinois

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  692 reviews

Current Resident: Definitely can be impacted by wealth and racial demographics, but Naperville is a fantastic community for raising children and pursuing almost any career! Many opportunities in the arts and media.... Read 692 reviews

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• Population 149,013

• City in Minnesota

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  296 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, I enjoy living in Rochester. It's a decent place to raise our family. I laugh when people complain about the roads or traffic. There is no traffic, and the roads are well-maintained (compared to every other place I've lived). But you'll find Minnesotans love complaining about the roads, weather, and how bad the Vikings choke in the playoffs (if they make it). Housing is still fairly affordable compared to the rest of the country, but higher than places like Iowa, Kansas, etc. Rochester has a lot of family-friendly activities, but is geared towards family with younger kids. Teens would probably struggle to find things to do here. I enjoy outside activities: fishing, hiking, skiing, hunting, etc. There's a fair amount of that, but you have to travel 25+ miles for anything good. Growing up in Montana, I have high standards for that sort of thing, but the trout fishing in nearby streams is satisfactory. Overall, a nice place. I long for the mountains and scenery though!... Read 296 reviews

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• Population 119,732

• City in Alabama

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  780 reviews

Current Resident: I love that Huntsville has somewhere for every type of person. If you enjoy being outdoors, you can visit the Huntsville Botanical Garden or Big Spring Park. If you enjoy shopping, there are a plethora of shopping spots, such as Bridge Street Town Centre and Parkway Place. People who love indoor activities like Dave & Buster's or Main Event can visit the MidCity District. Lowe Mill offers a number of places to eat, drink, shop, or just relax. You can enjoy the scenery inside or outside. There's even a cat café inside: The Cattyshack!... Read 780 reviews

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• Population 210,081

• City in South Dakota

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  520 reviews

Current Resident: Sioux Falls, while in South Dakota, doesn't feel like it is in the state. I mean that in the best way possible! As a college town and growing city, it feels like it is just beginning its process into becoming a mini Minneapolis, which I'm glad to be in on the journey. The people here are kind (even if there are some pretty awful drivers), the food options keep getting better every year, and the vibes are much better than anywhere else in South Dakota. Sioux Falls has certainly been a joy.... Read 520 reviews

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• Population 189,258

• City in Indiana

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  890 reviews

Current Resident: Born and raised here, left for Central Indiana and then South Florida for about 11 years due to a job transfer and have been back since 2016. I’ll say this, compared to the other locations I’ve lived in I can honestly say Ft Wayne is a great place to live. It’s home! Cost of living is so much better than others and I just bought a nice house for half of what it would cost me in So Fla. People say there isn’t a lot to do but I feel there is. I mean if you want a big city type of atmosphere with clubs everywhere then no it isn’t but there are things to do. Winter does seem long and that limits your activities to do but in the summer there is definitely a ton to do. Like every city there is a bad side of town but I don’t think the crime is out of control like some say in their reviews.It’s far less than the other places I lived. Some really good schools in certain areas and people are very midwestern friendly and accommodating. Just overall a very nice town to raise a family and live in... Read 890 reviews

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• Population 262,676

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.12 out of 5  946 reviews

Current Resident: As a current Plano resident, I love the sense of community and social activities around here. One of my favorite things about living in Plano is the emphasis on outdoor spaces. The city has a plethora of well-maintained parks, trails, and green spaces where residents can enjoy recreational activities, picnics, or simply a leisurely stroll. Places like Arbor Hills Nature Preserve and Oak Point Park offer a serene escape from the urban hustle and bustle. The diversity of dining options is another aspect that makes Plano special. From cozy family-owned eateries to upscale restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, there's no shortage of choices for food enthusiasts. Exploring the local food scene can be a delightful adventure, and it's a great way to connect with friends and neighbors over shared meals.... Read 946 reviews

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• Population 282,181

• City in Maryland

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  408 reviews

Current Resident: THE BEST PLACE TO LIFE. As a senior in high school I have never wished to live anywhere else. The ability to walk where ever I please is amazing! The small community allows me to bond with my neighbors and grow life long friendships. The schools in the area never fail to amaze me because of the strong community bond. The schools are always finding new ways to keep the community and students involved. Even from kindergarten to seniors in high school are always connected in community service with one another. Growing up in Columbia the convenience has allowed me to grow my individuality. I was able to walk to my friends house or even just to Dunkin to hang out. This gave me a sense of self awareness, individuality, responsibilty, and freedom to grow.... Read 408 reviews

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• Population 105,086

• City in Kentucky

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  883 reviews

Current Resident: I love my city! Lexington Kentucky is ever-growing, artistic, industrial, and community-minded. There are amazing community events, many local businesses, fantastic residents, and wonderful children. Horses and horse racing are a huge part of Lexington as it is home to Keeneland and the Red Mile. Lexington has great Derby parties as well. There are wonderful hotels, fine dining, and chic nightlife. Overall, I would never want to live anywhere other than here. No other city that I know has an amazing landscape full of country residential homes, great neighborhoods, horse farms, and amazing downtown condos and apartments. Lexington is home to the University of Kentucky, whose basketball teams are champions on and off the court. UK also has a world-renowned hospital as well as football, baseball, and women's sports teams.... Read 883 reviews

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• Population 321,354

• City in Indiana

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  Rating 3.49 out of 5  364 reviews

Current Resident: I moved here in 2010 from Kansas and I would have to say that Indiana and South Bend have been great places to live. I have had great experiences here that I probably wouldn't have had in Kansas. I have been a student at Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend Indiana. I've earned several degrees from there and served in a variety of student government positions. When it comes to South Bend, there are countless career possibilities here, and always room to grow. I loved that South Bend has its own baseball team, the South Bend Cubs. Their games are fun for the whole family. There are also lots of great restaurants and places to stay. South Bend is also fairly closer to other cities that have tourist attractions.... Read 364 reviews

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• Population 102,786

• City in Pennsylvania

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  824 reviews

Current Resident: I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area. I have had the opportunity to live in 4 other states as well. Pittsburgh is currently my home and will always be home for me. As an outdoor enthusiast, I love the many options I have not far from my home. Pittsburgh is unique in that way, your in the city but seconds later your immersed in lush, quiet green spaces. We are devout in our love of our sports teams! There is a wide variety of things to do from museums to shops, bars and clubs. The weather for a few months really stinks however, it's just dark most of the day and cold. Our roads really stink in my opinion. Potholes and traffic in some parts of town are just miserable. In the suburbs where I live the traffic isn't that bad at all. My only major gripe of living here is the roads, traffic and weather. All and all I find my city to be friendly, kind, welcoming and inclusive.... Read 824 reviews

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• Population 303,207

• City in Iowa

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  Rating 3.77 out of 5  396 reviews

Former Resident: Cedar Rapids is the perfect picture of a small midwestern city. Its the home of many amazing local restaurants and bars, some of my favorite include Black Sheep Social Club which serves amazing drinks and has the most delicious steaks and lamb! Chrome Horse is another amazing restaurant located in Newbo. This "Biker Bar" has some of the best bar food in town, they also have live music. Cedar Rapids is also home to a huge number of German and Czech families, Czech Village is a small borough in Cedar Rapids and includes many small shops, Found + Formed, one of Czech Village's famous shops has a variety of clothing from any decade you could think of! Czech is also home to many small antique shops where you can find many cool items, clothing, and furniture. Although Cedar Rapids has many great things, one huge problem here is the homeless, many of the new apartment building here in town are high end and extremally expensive. There are also not very many shelters for these families.... Read 396 reviews

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• Population 136,512

• City in Nebraska

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  Rating 3.96 out of 5  851 reviews

Current Resident: Lincoln is a collection of several small towns that have been combined to create our state's capital city. The names of these former small towns are now the names of the respective neighborhoods within Lincoln. Several have retained their main streets and a neighborly atmosphere. New and old businesses complement one another. For those who enjoy shopping and urban exploration, each part of town offers something fun and often unexpected. If you like to eat out, you'll love Lincoln! Lincoln is a richly and peacefully diverse city. Many cultures call Lincoln home and we easily embrace this part of our heritage. We have neighbors of all colors, origins, orientations, identities, creeds and races. What we don't have is tension. We all enjoy a peaceful city to call home. Lincoln is always growing. The cost of living in Lincoln is so low that many families from the coasts move here. They have found that what they paid for a modest home elsewhere nets them an enviable house here.... Read 851 reviews

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• Population 289,136

• City in Tennessee

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  Rating 3.61 out of 5  642 reviews

Current Resident: Clarksville is a growing city with a large Army installation with a good mix of civilian and military families. There are plenty of shopping opportunities, house of worship, entertainment, medical providers and housing for everyone. With numerous new housing developments under construction and more popping up everyday. Money Magazine named Clarksville as their 2019 Best Place to Live and it has seen exponential growth since. It's a great place to start out as a young family or to retire to with it's close location to Nashville and all of it's splendor, without the Nashville hustle and bustle.... Read 642 reviews

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• Population 163,518

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.59 out of 5  329 reviews

Current Resident: Wichita Falls has friendly people, a small but great downtown with lots of local shops and restaurants. There are city parks everywhere and beautification efforts throughout town. There is a walking biking trail that runs through the city. There are good private schools to choose from and the Wichita Falls ISD gives students many choices, including to graduate with a vocation. WFISD technology is outstanding and students have use of makerspaces and 3D printers. Midwestern State University is an excellent University. Overall Wichita Falls is an amazing place to raise a family!... Read 329 reviews

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• Population 102,563

• City in Oklahoma

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  Rating 3.72 out of 5  1,353 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived here, in OKC, since birth. I really enjoy it. I love traveling to other places, but I am always happy to return home. Gazing over the wide open plains and seeing the beautiful sunrises and sunsets sets my heart at peace like no other place can. I love that I can travel 2-3 hours from the metro and experience some mountain trails to hike. The vast landscape of the state we have here in Oklahoma ranges from lakes to mountains to plains. There are many exciting and fun festivals throughout the year along with the ever-growing and popular events and restaurants around Bricktown. This area has expanded into Mid-Town, Paseo, and Film Row among other fun and exciting areas around the city. Scissortail Park is a great outdoor park for kids and parents; concerts are held continuously at Scissortail, the Zoo Ampitheater, or various other venues around the city. Come and see!... Read 1,353 reviews

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• Population 673,183

• City in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  1,337 reviews

Current Resident: I love the diversity you see in Raleigh! There's so many amazing restaurants and shopping areas that offer me so many fun experiences. I can always find something to do in Raleigh, which I appreciate on the weekends, and I think it's extremely accessible for people of all ages. I feel safe and comfortable in Raleigh as a gay woman too. The one thing that I would love changed is that cost of living is getting extremely expensive. Apartments are going up in their cost and it's becoming a little less accessible for people of certain income lives. As a student, I do worry about my longevity in my home. I know that there are single mothers or low-income families that also struggle with this worry.... Read 1,337 reviews

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• Population 462,219

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  335 reviews

Current Resident: Richardson, Texas is a vibrant city that offers a delightful blend of suburban charm and urban amenities. Nestled in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Richardson captivates visitors with its friendly community, diverse cultural scene, and a multitude of recreational opportunities. With its well-planned neighborhoods, Richardson provides a safe and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. The city boasts a range of parks and green spaces, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and families seeking relaxation and leisure activities. Overall, Richardson, Texas offers a dynamic and livable environment with its welcoming community, ample recreational options, educational excellence, and culinary delights. Whether you're considering a visit or a permanent move, Richardson is a city that will capture your heart.... Read 335 reviews

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• Population 115,904

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.64 out of 5  399 reviews

Current Resident: I really love the people of Abilene, but we have some pretty broken systems here. There are so many people of our town experiencing homelessness and there is not really a good way to combat that within our government or leadership. But the people are really the best part of this place. When I came to Abilene for college, I expected to be bored all the time and thought that I would want to leave quickly. But there are always things to do here and people to see and I am really dreading having to leave this city in a year. Something that I would like to see change is the stark contrast between the "good" and "bad" neighborhoods of this city. There is major poverty here right up next to obscene wealth.... Read 399 reviews

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• Population 125,474

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  565 reviews

Current Resident: Mcallen is going everyday! there is a ton of new fun places to hang out and more are being opened everyday. There are outside markets ran by local vendors, which is my favorite event, which allow you to meet new people and find rare finds .... Read 565 reviews

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• Population 141,941

• City in Indiana

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  Rating 3.57 out of 5  439 reviews

Current Resident: Evansville is great in many ways. Evansville is the perfect central location to many major cities, including Nashville, Louisville, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, which provide lots of opportunities. Evansville is also such a great size, where it feels like a small town but once you start to grow up, you realize how big it truly is. There are also many opportunities that present themselves as Evansville continues to grow. There are now a lot more job opportunities as well as more local business that provide services to connect with people, such as coffee shops and local markets.... Read 439 reviews

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• Population 117,184

• City in Kansas

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  Rating 3.41 out of 5  355 reviews

Current Resident: Living in Kansas City gave me so many more opportunities than living in Olathe did. I finally feel more accepted and the community here is great, Sumner Academy has been the best school that I have attended and the experience here is very rich. There aren't many things to do in Kansas City that attract tourists but there are enough things to do here that you could spend years here and notice new things each day. I was able to join groups, share and learn many skills and I plan to stay here. Kansas City, especially Wyandotte County is a haven for immigrants and people of color and has shaped my identity and has made me feel safe. I do want to admit that there are a few issues such as pollution and most of the people living here are not very wealthy so this area is regarded as a "povert-ridden" place and stereotypes are rampant, but it makes up for it with how many community centers there are available providing aid for families.... Read 355 reviews

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• Population 155,745

• City in Nebraska

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  1,283 reviews

Other: Pretty big downtown area, and it has a big stadium where lots of concerts and baseball games are held! I watched Creighton college's game once, it has decent facilities as well. Big suburb area, that provides good schools! Some areas are very expensive, but mostly it is affordable housings.... Read 1,283 reviews

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• Population 488,059

• City in Florida

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  Rating 3.58 out of 5  456 reviews

Current Resident: I like Palm Bay because it’s very diverse! It’s a perfect place to raise your kids, settle down and start a family. The community is very sweet and there’s lots of fun activities to keep busy!... Read 456 reviews

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• Population 118,709