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2019 Best Cities to Live in AmericaAbout this List

Explore the best cities to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. Ranking based on city data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 231
Best Places to Live
231 results

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  1. Arlington

    • City in Virginia
    • 170 reviews
    #1 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: I have now lived in Arlington for 12 years. Their public schools and education system are wonderful, there are eco-friendly and healthy options for those living in the community. It is also very diverse! I would recommend more affordable options for its residents, there is a big population in Arlington that are underserved/in poverty.
    Read 170 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 229,534 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  2. Ann Arbor

    • City in Michigan
    • 452 reviews
    #2 Best Cities to Live in America

    Niche User: A sweet and enjoyable small town! Ann Arbor offers everything that you need in your day to day life. The town is filled with restaurants, shops, music venues, fantastic schools, grocery stores and the best farmers market! I really enjoy the small town feel, but it is also nice that we have access to Detroit and if you are up to a big adventure Chicago is only 4 hours away! I am here as a graduate student and I am very glad I chose to come to Ann Arbor. Everyday you will see students, working professionals, and retirees walking around the town, eating at restaurants and truly enjoying life! Also, the ARBORETUM is to die for (trust me, you will want to go see this place). I can definitely see myself raising my kids here one day! DEFINITELY A MUST SEE TOWN!
    Read 452 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 119,303 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Berkeley

    • City in California
    • 146 reviews
    #3 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: If you can afford the crazy prices (usually $1000+ for a single studio/room), Berkeley has a lot to offer. Whether it's Shattuck avenue, or little shops by Adeline street, you can find a lot of things to do. But, since the area is really expensive, you'll also see a LOT of homeless people. If you live in the Berkeley hills (and are white), feel free to roam around at night, but there are some parts of Berkeley that can be sketchy when it starts getting dark, especially since people here tend to have money to spare. Whether it's the beautiful UC Berkeley campus, crippling homeless population/housing prices, plentiful Tilden trials, gentrification, the strong justice/social power, or many other features present, you're bound to find something you LOVE and hate here.
    Read 146 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 120,179 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  4. The Woodlands

    • City in Texas
    • 365 reviews
    #4 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: It isn't called the woodlands for nothing! The number of trees and greenery will never get old. This along with the mall, market street, and hughs landing provide endless shopping opportunities.
    Read 365 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 109,608 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Plano

    • City in Texas
    • 765 reviews
    #5 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Plano, Tx is a Great Place to raise a family! People are very friendly and clean. I love parks and malls that surround Plano. Downtown Plano has a lot to offer for the nightlife; amazing spots to eat, walk and beautiful urban sightseeings are available as well. Plano is a quiet place to raise a family, they provide good public education, friendly environment, good food. One thing Plano lacks is diversity, which is getting better now. People are always involved in some activities, walking their dogs, jogging and most importantly they are active on neighborhood safety. Homeowners get together to keep the area safe(night-watch). Overall Plano is the best place to make long-lasting memories with your family and friends, I know I did!
    Read 765 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 281,566 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  6. Naperville

    • City in Illinois
    • 573 reviews
    #6 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Best place to raise a family! Great downtown with many great restaurants . Most schools rated the highest in the state! Many activities for adults and children! Safe neighborhoods, friendly neighborhoods! Low crime rate, great park districts with many activities and plenty of volunteer activities.
    Read 573 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 146,431 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  9. Overland Park

    • City in Kansas
    • 384 reviews
    #7 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Overland Park is a great suburb of Kansas City. It has a terrific family atmosphere. There are plenty of places to eat and shop. OP also has great sports facilities including a world class youth soccer complex as well as several top notch sports academies. Sitting just 15 minutes outside of Kansas City, Overland Park also has access to world-class performing arts, KC Royals, KC Chiefs, the College Basketball Experience including the entertainment district Power & Light, Country Club Plaza, Crown Center (Hallmark), and much more. Of course being the BBQ capital of the nation we also are close to KC Joe's, Hayward's, Jack Stack, Gates and more!
    Read 384 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 186,147 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  10. Columbia

    • City in Maryland
    • 340 reviews
    #8 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: The resources are plentiful and well funded - from Grassroots Crisis intervention for mental health & financial help; the library system's education resources and free programs for children/teens; Howard Banes Senior Center's free recreation and lunches; wonderful parks and walking trails; etc.
    The people care about Columbia as well. City council hearings are well attended by passionate people, and you'll find Board of Ed and state legislature campaign posters all over the place. Likewise, Columbia cares about its people (see above resources. They also have given out surveys at the library seeking our feedback).
    Like every American city, Columbia should do more about litter.
    Read 340 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 103,170 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  11. Cambridge

    • City in Massachusetts
    • 84 reviews
    #9 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Everything about Cambridge is great! It's a very pretty city with remarkable history. It has one of the best colleges in the world; Harvard, which helped the city to be highly educated, even if they weren't Harvard students. There’s a significant number of highly intellectual people all around. Also, the city is rich in museums & galleries that encompasses a significant number historical artifacts & valuable knowledge. I also love how clean and environment friendly the city is. Plastic bags are prohibited & paper ones are charged to minimize waste. Recycling is really emphasized. Restaurants & cafes are endless! There are many highly reviewed places that are worth traveling to. Shopping is great at Cambridge! There are unlimited shopping options and there are many vintage and hand-made gift stores all around. People are nice and super friendly. The MBTA works well in Cambridge and connect it to the greater city of Boston, which makes commuting much easier.
    Read 84 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 110,893 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  12. Bellevue

    • City in Washington
    • 116 reviews
    #10 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: It is like Seattle's fancier little sister! There is always so much to do, whether it's going to the mall to shop or swimming in Lake Washington at one of the many public docks. The only thing that I wish would change is the amount of construction. Because the city is always developing and growing, there is nonstop construction, which can be quite the hassle and causes lots of traffic.
    Read 116 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 139,014 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  13. Irvine

    • City in California
    • 383 reviews
    #11 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Irvine, ranked one of the safest cities in America, is also a master-planned community, which allows all residents easy access to parks, hiking trails, and shopping centers. Furthermore, Irvine has seen an increase in new developments in the past decade, so most houses that are being sold are recent constructions. It also boasts an education system that prides itself on rigor and quality. Living in Irvine means everything is nearby, usually within walking distance, which promotes developing a healthy lifestyle and attending all the exciting community events that Irvine has to offer.
    Read 383 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 256,877 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Richardson

    • City in Texas
    • 266 reviews
    #12 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Living in Richardson has been a thrill for the past several months. Not only do I feel safe in my home, there are plenty of parks and trails nearby to take my dog on a walk. While I am not too big into nightlife so it's not a concern, there is not a 'hit spot in town', but we are only a 20 minute drive to Dallas! While my commute is only 4 miles, I cannot explain how light the traffic is, even on Monday mornings or Friday evenings!
    Read 266 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 111,055 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Raleigh

    • City in North Carolina
    • 1,066 reviews
    #13 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Raleigh is simply an amazing place to live. There’s always something to do and something new to see! In Raleigh, you don’t have to go out of your way to find anything because it’s all right here. Despite being a big city, Raleigh still keeps its southern charm and hospitality without feeling too overwhelming. The people here will always welcome you with open arms! Another thing to add, Wake County Public Schools is consistently ranked in the top 10 school districts in NC. My children love growing up in Raleigh and we couldn’t have picked a better city to live in!
    Read 1,066 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • 449,477 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  16. Seattle

    • City in Washington
    • 737 reviews
    #14 Best Cities to Live in America

    Nearby Resident: It’s a beautiful city, but traffic is very difficult and the cost of living and home buying is extraordinarily high. Many people cannot ever afford to buy their own home and even rent can be extremely high for its location.

    There is an extensive amount of cultural activities, food and scenic destinations to be enjoyed in Seattle. The culture is very diverse and has a lot to offer to by way of entertainment.

    Beauty is never lacking, from Mt Rainer and the Olympics on the west coast to the Cascades and spanning East across the state, there is every type of weather and landscape not to far from Seattle. There’s so many types of outdoor activities for every hobby and time of year.

    Like every big city it has its traffic, growing pains, homelessness and crime. What you gain in the extraordinary job market, entertainment, and indescribable beauty is worth the price of admission!

    Jennifer
    Read 737 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • 688,245 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  17. San Francisco

    • City in California
    • 690 reviews
    #15 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: I was born and raised in San Francisco, so for as long as I can remember, I have been playing in the parks, reading at the libraries, and attending the wonderful schools. Reading was such a huge part of mine and my brother's childhood, so every afternoon after school, and most weekends, were spent at the Western Addition library with our heads buried inside books. During the summer, if we were lucky enough to have a couple warm days, my family would pack some sandwiches and snacks and bring some towels to Crissy Field to enjoy the sunshine and freezing cold ocean. Overall, growing up in SF was a childhood I am so grateful for!
    Read 690 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • 864,263 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  18. Madison

    • City in Wisconsin
    • 639 reviews
    #16 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: I really enjoy living in Madison, WI. For one of the bigger cities in Wisconsin, it feels very open and comfortable. Everyone is really nice and there is so much to do! I love going to different markets, museums, and just walking through the pretty parts of the university campus. It is also in such a great position, between lake Mendota and Monona, because you can have your city life, but also your outdoors/lake life through hiking and kayaking, etc. The only difficult part about the quality of living is renting is super expensive in Madison. Also, if you are a student they almost scare you into renting as soon as possible, which is usually by October!
    Read 639 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • 248,856 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  19. Sunnyvale

    • City in California
    • 212 reviews
    #17 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Sunnyvale is truly the heart of the silicon valley. I love the diversity, the sunny weather, the beautiful parks, the great restaurants and the intelligent people!
    Read 212 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 151,565 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  22. Boulder

    • City in Colorado
    • 287 reviews
    #18 Best Cities to Live in America

    Nearby Resident: Boulder is a beautiful city at the foot of the Flatirons. With plenty of nearby opportunities, for hiking, biking, skiing, and rock climbing it is perfect for those who love the outdoors. Boulder is one of the best cities for liberals, as its population strongly supports environmental programs, farm-to-table restaurants, and political events held by the University of Colorado. The only aspect of Boulder, Colorado I would change is its affordability. Living here is unbelievably expensive, and this, in part, causes there to be very little diversity.
    Read 287 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 106,271 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  23. Round Rock

    • City in Texas
    • 328 reviews
    #19 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: I loved growing up in Round Rock. My parents chose to live here because the schools are good, it has a low crime rate and the cost of living is reasonable. Outdoor recreation is abundant such as boating, biking, running, fishing, hiking, swimming, outdoor theater and many, many others. There are lots of historic sites. The Chisholm Trail runs right through the center of town. The Sam Bass cemetery contains graves of people born before the American Revolution. Round Rock has the feel of a small town with easy access to larger cities. Round Rock is about 23 miles north of Austin proper. The food here is the best! Everyone knows about Texas barbecue; no food anywhere can even compare. The weather is fantastic, with Round Rock boasting about 300 days of sunshine per year. The people are friendly and there is a strong sense of community. All in all, Round Rock is a great place to live.
    Read 328 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 116,369 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  24. Austin

    • City in Texas
    • 2,003 reviews
    #20 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: I think it's one of the best cities to live in! The atmosphere and the culture is very welcoming. There's so many places to visit from 360 Bridge to South Congress. It's a very lively city in both daytime and nighttime, which offers so many benefits for friends and families to gather around. Although there are some downsides like the busy traffic and rising prices on our homes, it still feels like home. Thousands of people move to Austin with such high expectations, only to realize that our city is more than just ACL or SXSW. We are a community that is constantly growing. Local restaurants and chains like Franklin's Barbecue and Amy's Ice Cream receive so much love because they deserve it. Our community knows how to spread positivity and make sure to keep our city "weird."
    Read 2,003 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 916,906 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  25. Carlsbad

    • City in California
    • 320 reviews
    #21 Best Cities to Live in America

    Former Resident: A wonderful, friendly coastal city! Plenty to do and beautiful oceanfront views. Attractions like Legoland and beach bluffs make it a tourist destination, and if you're lucky enough to live here you can enjoy its atmosphere year round!
    Read 320 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 113,147 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Rochester

    • City in Minnesota
    • 217 reviews
    #22 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Beautiful city. People are extremely friendly and eager to help. Lots of jobs available, and lots to do. There is always something to do, and the library is amazing! Lots of community events going, including a year-long farmer's market (this surprised me when I moved here; I didn't know that was possible). Wonderful place to live.
    Read 217 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • 112,683 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Sandy Springs

    • City in Georgia
    • 182 reviews
    #23 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: I've been living in Sandy Springs for ten years now and I absolutely love it! Everywhere I need to go is highly accessible and not far away at all. I go walking to the Riverside Park all the time and having the Sandy Springs library near is so convenient. You will never get bored here, as there is always something fun to do around the corner. If you've never visited this city, I highly recommend you do, and bring your family while you're at it!
    Read 182 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • 103,703 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Minneapolis

    • City in Minnesota
    • 516 reviews
    #24 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: I like the opportunities here. I appreciate the items like gloves,scarves, hats that are received for no charge. The places where I can go eat. Also the public transportation is awesome! The light rail goes from Minneapolis to St.Paul. The suburbs are easily accessible. There is not a problem with getting a job even if your not in the city.
    The things I'm irritated with is the way the housing is here. Most of the housing is not affordable and the houses or apartments are small. I really believe if the rent was lower the homeless people would be able to afford it providing they have good credit,no unlawful detainers,and have first and last months rent. Also this is a refugee state. If the state can't house its own why do they keep letting people in from other countries?
    On a good note, I consider Minneapolis to be pretty safe from where I come from. There are many libraries here and there are may events that goes on here,so I am not bored.
    Read 516 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B-
      Public Schools
    • 411,452 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Alexandria

    • City in Virginia
    • 291 reviews
    #25 Best Cities to Live in America

    Current Resident: Born and raised! Public schools have definitely improved over the years. Love the nightlife and Old Town is one of the few neighborhoods where I feel safe when out on the town. Rent and mortgages, however, are pricey. Job opportunities are best found in the District. Overall I would recommend for tourism and young professionals.
    Read 291 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • 154,710 Population
    View Nearby Homes
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