2018 Best Cities to Live in America

Best Places to Live

231 results

Economy

Health & Outdoors

Ann Arbor
City in Michigan
358
1 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: I love Ann Arbor! It's a lively city with a small-town feel. Having the University of Michigan down the street creates endless opportunities for concerts, events, and night life. The philanthropic scene is booming and small businesses are everywhere! Everyone here is happy and excited about life, passionate about this city and very environmentally-conscious and involved in the community. It is a truly wonderful place.
Read 358 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
118,087 Population
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Naperville
City in Illinois
485
2 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: Naperville is an excellent, family friendly city. The schools are top notch with everything in the community is geared towards creating a warm, welcoming environment for new Naperville families as well as Naperville veterans. It is always very safe and I have never felt uncomfortable or out of place even being a young female. There are always community events happening like the Naperville 5K, Ribfest, The Last Fling, or The Chocolate Walk to name a few. There is something for everyone in a community as vast as Naperville. With that, it can be more expensive to live here as the communities are a bit more upscale but there is plenty of affordable housing available. I would not have wanted to grow up anywhere else!
Read 485 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
145,789 Population
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Berkeley
City in California
95
3 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: Berkeley is a wonderful city full of an interesting, open-minded and intelligent group of people. The city is very culturally diverse and open to accepting anyone from anywhere. The food scene is to die for and if organically grown is what you live by, look no further than Berkeley grocery stores, farmers markets and more. One small down side would be the lack of club life (for the younger folks), there are however many perfectly adequate bars as well a little college student scene on Telegraph Avenue. Overall, I highly recommend living here or going to school here if accepted!
Read 95 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
118,585 Population
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Plano
City in Texas
637
4 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: We love Plano! We came here from overseas 2 years ago; I made a profound research for months to decide a place to live and I found here thanks to Niche.com. We chose here because of excellent school district, crime rate, unemployment rate, and living cost which is not low but much more affordable than those cities in California, NJ, etc. that have excellent school districts but living cost is unfortunately much higher. Plano Parks and Recreation Centers are incredible, so many activities and benefits as residents. There are bilingual elementary schools for those who speak Spanish and English as the second language. What's more, PISD has preschools for those who don't speak English as the first language. I can't complain anything. So happy to be here as family!
Read 637 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
279,088 Population
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Arlington
City in Virginia
102
5 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: Arlington is a mixing bowl of job opportunities, people, and fun! There is incredible cuisine from many countries, authentic and delicious! Downtown has many options such as Ballston, Clarendon, Court House, Rosslyn, and more for exquisite restaurants, shopping, and night life. There are lots of trees despite the urban atmosphere. The school system is top in the state. The communities are diverse and offer a short commute into Washington, D.C.!
Read 102 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
226,092 Population
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Cambridge
City in Massachusetts
46
6 Best Cities to Live in America
Nearby Resident: Cambridge Massachusetts is a wonderfully vibrant and exciting city. I have lived in the text town over my whole life and I have gone to school and worked there for many years. Cambridge is the home of many colleges, which bring such a wide variety of people to the city which make it incredibly diverse. I really enjoy how many different areas there are in the city, there is something for everyone. Everywhere you turn there are amazing restaurants and shops to explore. Having worked in the school systems in Cambridge they are wonderful, which isn't much of a surprise seeing as though the city is known for their world-class education. I also love how many health-focused stores and restaurants there are as well having areas for outdoor exercise and encouraging bike riding over driving. The only downside to Cambridge is that all of these wonderful qualities make it a rather expensive place to live. However, I love this city and consider it be my home!
Read 46 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
108,757 Population
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The Woodlands
City in Texas
299
7 Best Cities to Live in America
Works Here: Living in the Woodlands and working here was a great experience. Everything is pretty close together, a short drive away. The real estate is getting more expensive, but there are a lot of restaurants and shopping opportunities in the Woodlands and surrounding areas. It's also only 40 minutes from downtown via i45! If coming to live here, a gated community is definitely available, but not needed. Many police are out and about in the Woodlands, and it is a generally very safe community. Public schools are generally very safe, clean, and well-taught as well. Keep in mind the area can be a little pricey. Average cost of a dinner for two is about 25-35$.
Read 299 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
108,373 Population
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Overland Park
City in Kansas
318
8 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: I've lived in the Overland Park, Kansas area for about 4 years now. Overall it's a great area that has a lot to offer. It's close proximity to Kansas City, Missouri allows you easy access to bigger nightlife and large concerts, events, museums, theater, ballet, and more. Overland Park itself is family friendly with great schools. While we do have some diversity, it isn't nearly as diverse as other areas. However, you can still find some great cultural restaurants that reflect the diversity we do have, such as Indian, Ethiopian, Thai, Korean, and even from El Salvador! Cost of living is on the higher end for the KC Metro area and the housing market is very much a seller's one right now as many homes are being sold for over asking price or without stipulations such as inspections, etc. The public parks, libraries, and community centers are all great and well maintained. They all individually have quite a lot to offer.
Read 318 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
183,775 Population
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Richardson
City in Texas
203
9 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: Overall Richardson is a great place to live! many things are changing and being improved around the city. There are only a few things that have changed my perspective of Richardson. I have attended some of the city council meetings and learned that the leaders of this great city are fantastic but do not take into consideration minor details that come with the change, for example they are improving one of the high schools in the districts and did not consider the parking problems that would come with that.
Read 203 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
108,350 Population
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Irvine
City in California
242
10 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: Irvine is probably one of the safest, cleanest, and greenest cities in CA (if not, in the US)! It is located in Orange County, so it's really easy to go up to LA area or drive down to San Diego. Irvine is home to a lot of high-ranking schools like the University of California Irvine (UCI), Concordia University, Irvine Valley College, the Orange County Center of the University of Southern California (USC), and campuses of California State University Fullerton (CSUF), University of La Verne, and Pepperdine University. This city is really beautiful with streets dotted with flowers and trees. It is very quiet and all neighborhoods are well-maintained. There's a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities.
Read 242 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
246,992 Population
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Columbia
City in Maryland
251
11 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: Columbia is very dog-friendly! There are beautiful trails to walk your dog and lots of other dog-people around. It's easy to find an apartment that allows dogs.
Columbia can be a hard place to get to know since there is minimal signage around and some small businesses are tucked away. Once you know the area, of course, you will appreciate the lack of ugly signs. Columbia neighborhoods have a distinctly '70s look and seek to blend in with the natural surroundings (some may like this, others may not).
The schools are very diverse - I went to my nephew's elementary school and in 5 minutes I saw several male teachers, a black teacher, a Latinx teacher, a Muslim teacher, and a range of ages among others. The students are also diverse in both ethnicity and income-level.
Read 251 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A
Public Schools
103,439 Population
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Bellevue
City in Washington
59
12 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: It's such a beautiful city with lots of racial diversity and great public schools. It's known to be quite safe and family friendly, which plenty of parks and little beaches by the lakes. It's close to lakes, mountains, bike trails, and forests - all these Pacific Northwest delights, perfect for the outdoorsy person.

The downside is housing prices are skyrocketing. People living here are more affluent than average - some are even being priced out of the market. Many immigrants (often from Asia) buy real estate here. Many people are very health conscious. The population is increasing and there is lots of construction. Commute times are increasing quickly as well. Job opportunities are good if you have the skills like computer science, engineering, or business because the greater Seattle area has so many tech companies.
Read 59 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
136,718 Population
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Boulder
City in Colorado
222
13 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: Boulder is a splendid place to live. It perfectly mixes together a small town vibe and an urban metropolis. There are always things to do because of the young vibrant university atmosphere, and the multitude of outdoor activities. With the various canyons that have world renowned climbing, 100+ miles of hiking trails, fly fishing in the Boulder Creek; it is an outdoor enthusiasts paradise.

There are tons of options for groceries, housing styles, options for schools, and any and all types of restaurants. It's a town that is small enough to bike to just about anywhere you need to go, and also a magnificent amount of bike trails and lanes throughout the city and suburbs.

If you're looking for a forward-thinking town that is inclusive and pushing the boundaries, Boulder is just the town for you!
Read 222 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
105,420 Population
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Madison
City in Wisconsin
546
14 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: I just moved to Madison about 9 months ago from Chicago, IL. In comparison to Chicago, Madison is a smaller, more diverse and open city. I say that it is open because people here are so open-minded to life and art. I love the scenery downtown. There is always something to do and as a broke college student, I appreciate the fact that usually those activities are pretty cheap. Each week you will find something to do, that is, at least in the summer time. In the winter, you will learn to hibernate. The winters are ridiculous and the only time you want to go outside is if you absolutely have to! There are plenty of job opportunities for sure though because when I first came up here, there was a "Now Hiring" on every corner! I came here to gain three different jobs! Overall, I am pleased with my stay here in Madison, Wisconsin. I feel so much safer. However, I do not feel secure financially and that is the goal. To be able to sustain is my goal.
Read 546 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A
Public Schools
246,034 Population
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San Francisco
City in California
461
15 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: San Francisco is a wonderful place for sightseeing and food! I love atmosphere and weather. Its pretty easy to get around with public transportation and having everything close by. Some food restaurants are open late night, just in case you crave a late dinner. It’s a very tech savvy place so everything is literally one click away. I would love to see some changes with downtown San Francisco since there are a lot of homeless people on the street. The city should clean up and make more shelters for the homeless and housing for low income people. For the most part, San Francisco is clean, beautiful, and easy to get around.
Read 461 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A-
Public Schools
850,282 Population
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Seattle
City in Washington
478
16 Best Cities to Live in America
Works Here: I am living here for college. This city is awesome. There are so many diverse food options! If money isn't an issue, you'll never have to eat the same thing twice. The city gives a great sense of community and unity in support of diversity. Seattle is a very environmentally conscious and green city, and the vibrancy of the flora and fauna are stunning. It supports a healthy lifestyle with many biking trails and lanes, great paths for running, and wonderful fresh markets with lots of healthy, balanced foods. If you go to the right grocery stores, the prices are reasonable. It is like most cities- expensive- but has a high minimum wage.
Read 478 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A-
Public Schools
668,849 Population
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Round Rock
City in Texas
255
17 Best Cities to Live in America
Former Resident: Round Rock is an excellent place to raise a family! From top-tier schools to a community that is laden with caring people, Round Rock is by far one of the greatest cities in Texas! I was born in Round Rock, and lived there for 15 years. In the 15 years that I lived in Round Rock, Texas, I can honestly say that the city has everything that a person could ask for. The city is filled with delicious restaurants and various forms of entertainment, such as parks and malls. Whether you are a young single person looking for work, or a person who has a family to raise, Round Rock is by far the greatest city to live in! With that being said, the only thing that I would change about Round Rock is the inclusion of more hiking trails!
Read 255 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
112,767 Population
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Raleigh
City in North Carolina
855
18 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: I've lived in Raleigh almost 20 years now, and I can truly call it home! It is such a wonderful place to raise a family, as it is filled with lots of green parks, hiking trails, museums, and community events. Downtown Raleigh has grown SO much with local business and artistry, and the food scene is known across the country. Not to mention the excellent school systems, both in Grade School and Universities! Overall, I would recommend Raleigh to anyone looking to settle down and live a safe, and progressive, community-driven environment. Raleigh is the city of love!
Read 855 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A-
Public Schools
441,326 Population
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Sunnyvale
City in California
179
19 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: I have lived in the city of Sunnyvale for the past six years, and I can definitely say that I absolutely love living in this city. There is numerous of fun activities to do, plenty of fun new restaurants to try, and activities that the community can participate in. As I have attended a public school in Sunnyvale, I can say that it was a great experience and compared to the experience of other students from nearby cities, I am glad that I attended school here. There is rarely any traffic and the commute from place to place can be easily navigated. The city is kept clean and is pleasing to the eyes. Although there is lots of construction currently happening, I am looking forward for the exciting new additions to the community.
Read 179 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A
Public Schools
149,596 Population
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Rochester
City in Minnesota
169
20 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: I love Rochester! Personally, I am a big fan of the weather changes and all of the seasons, so I love living in an area where I get to see the leaves change and the snow fall. The downtown area is very pretty and there are resources to many different kinds of people available everywhere. If there was one thing I could change, it would be the amount of activities available to younger people. Adults have the ability to go to bars and restaurants downtown, but students and kids don't have many activities to do. I would like to see more parks, trails, and sport-designated areas around in order to get kids outside and active. Other than that, I love it here!
Read 169 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A-
Public Schools
111,396 Population
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Columbia
City in Missouri
339
21 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: I am a former student at the University of Missouri in Columbia and have been living here for about 4 years. Overall, I have been very satisfied not only with my college experience but with my living experience in this town. I have always gravitated towards college student living, including apartments off campus, and have always been pleased with my neighborhood and surrounding areas. I frequent the downtown Columbia, MO scene and appreciate the variety of activities available. There is adequate nightlife, many restaurants unique to Columbia to choose from, and many venues for shows and concerts. Columbia is a unique city that has a diverse crowd of people and always something to do.
Read 339 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A
Public Schools
117,165 Population
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Alexandria
City in Virginia
178
22 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: Alexandria is a beautiful place to live, it has diverseness and has interest for everyone! Alexandria is about a 20 minute drive from D.C., although the traffic will make it seem longer. There are many things to do in Alexandria as well. There is Old town Alexandria and there is a variety of diverse different cultured foods in Old towne . There are big name clothing stores but little local ones too. There are beautiful little gardens and a waterfront that you can sit and enjoy your local ice cream. Alexandria is a great mixture for wanting to live close to the city but having your quiet time and being able to come back to your suburban neighborhoods.
Read 178 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
B+
Public Schools
151,473 Population
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Sandy Springs
City in Georgia
154
23 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: I absolutely love living in Sansy Springs, Georgia! I have been here for a little over ten years, and this city has afforded me many opportunities that I otherwise wouldn't have had in the small town that I am from. Sandy Springs has everything a person could need or want in close proximity. I would highly recommend Sandy Springs living to anyone that would be interested. I especially love the sense of community in Sandy Springs. Not to mention the awesome police department that keeps their citizens safe. All in all, there's nothing I can say negatively about Sandy Springs!
Read 154 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A-
Public Schools
102,212 Population
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Austin
City in Texas
1,568
24 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: I moved to Austin about 5 years ago from Pennsylvania. It was just myself and my dog Daisy and we found a room mate online. I had heard so many positive things about Austin-- great higher education infrastructure, job opportunities, and community life! All of those are true. I started at a community college here and have progressed to being at the University of Texas at Austin. The culture here is about being happy, healthy, and having fun! With music festivals like Austin City Limits and a plethora of music venues there is always somewhere you can chill and catch some local tunes. The art and food are amazing as well. I love to swim in the local natural spring-fed swimming pool downtown called Barton Springs. One thing I would change about Austin is affordability. There is not much housing that is remotely affordable for students although there are several emerging programs that will hopefully change that.
Read 1,568 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A
Public Schools
907,779 Population
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Fort Collins
City in Colorado
687
25 Best Cities to Live in America
Current Resident: Fort Collins is a beautiful, high energy, and accommodating city. There is great public transportation across the entire city. More restaurants then anyone could imagine with a vast diversity in the choices. Fantastic night life in the down town area with many locally owned shops and boutiques. Hiking trails and camping get-away just fifteen minutes from the city in the gorgeous Horse-tooth Reservoir! It has been a very fun five years of living in this city. Definitely a place where I would strongly consider retiring!
Read 687 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A
Public Schools
157,251 Population
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1 of 10

Economy

Health & Outdoors

Ann Arbor

Naperville

Berkeley

Plano

Arlington

Cambridge

The Woodlands

Overland Park

Richardson

Irvine

Columbia

Bellevue

Boulder

Madison

San Francisco

Seattle

Round Rock

Raleigh

Sunnyvale

Rochester

Columbia

Alexandria

Sandy Springs

Austin

Fort Collins