2022 Best Cities to Live in America

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  739 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Cincinnati! I have lived in the northeastern suburbs of Cincinnati my entire life, and have lots of experience with all that the city has to offer. We're big enough of a city to have professional sports teams and multiple D1 colleges in town, but not overwhelmingly large like New York, Chicago, or LA. My mom was raised here and has lived almost her entire life here, and she loves the sense of community the area has. Because the city and the greater metropolitan area (where I'm from) tend to be divided up into smaller communities, living in Cincinnati has a small-town feel, but you can easily escape into the crowd when going downtown. People from Cincinnati don't identify themselves as "people from Mariemont" or "Hyde Parkers," we unify ourselves under the common city, Cincinnati, proving how strong the sense of community and togetherness the city brings.... Read 739 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 302,687

• City in Oklahoma

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  Rating 3.71 out of 5  1,305 reviews

Current Resident: It’s incredible how much this city has grown since it’s establishment! All the features of any other big city, but is underestimated for some reason. Also not all of the incredible parts of the city are located in or near downtown, all of the amazing activities and unique locations stretch out throughout all 620.8 square miles! Even the smaller suburban metro border cities are SUPER COOL! Edmond is a great place to visit! So I say support Oklahoma City and show everyone that it’s population (about 650,000) doesn’t mean it isn’t an excellent place to live, grow, and live life a better way!... Read 1,305 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 649,821

• City in Oklahoma

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  Rating 3.66 out of 5  1,063 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Tulsa nearly my whole life and I love it here! There are terrific food, art, and social scenes that continuously expand. I truly believe that for a relatively small US city, Tulsa packs a punch. Navigating the city is very manageable due to the roads being arranged in a grid-like pattern. There's sort of a joke that you can make it anywhere in the city within 15 minutes, which is actually pretty accurate! The people are incredibly friendly, a unique combination of southern hospitality and city quirk. The public schools are unfortunately one of the city's biggest downfalls. A majority of our public schools are short-staffed and under-funded, though in my experience Tulsa is lucky to employ many teachers that are dedicated and exceptional role models. Overall, I have no qualms with having grown up here and no intention on moving away from the city any time soon!... Read 1,063 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 402,441

• City in California

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  Rating 4.37 out of 5  164 reviews

Current Resident: I love Costa Mesa! I moved here in March and my husband and I have loved it so much. It's close to the ocean without being as cold as living right at the beach. We are close to plenty of shopping, food, and various activities. It has been a wonderful experience. In terms of something that the city needs, it needs more reliable and easily accessible public transportation.... Read 164 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 112,958

• City in Texas

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  Rating 4.3 out of 5  1,262 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Dallas. It has a perfect combo of city, suburban, and country life. There are always fun things to do like go to concerts, visit shops, and bars. Dallas is very diverse with residents from all around the world. It is currently in a boom of new residents, which is great, but the downside is there is currently construction of new buildings and road/other beautification from the city. The DART public transit system is affordable and easy to use. It lets you travel all over the city and all the way to Denton!... Read 1,262 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 1,338,846

• City in New Jersey

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  294 reviews

Current Resident: This city is exceptionally known for its diversity. There's a variety of different restaurants, places, cultures, and people. It is essentially NYC. Speaking of which, it's very close to NYC. It's a great commuter city. As a result, living here can be pretty expensive! It is also somewhat dangerous in some parts of the city. Otherwise, the benefits of this wonderful city overshadow the flaws.... Read 294 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C+

• Population 262,652

• City in California

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  Rating 4.32 out of 5  230 reviews

Former Resident: I loved living in W. Roseville. The schools are top notch, the police dep’t is excellent, and people have a great sense of community. What I hated was the amount of Bay Area xplants coming here and driving the cost of homes up, even out-pricing original residents. Yes, they take their politics with them! Grrr… I also don’t like that there isn’t much land available, and the homes are packed on top of each other, including the gated communities. Traffic is Nuts and the city seems determined to use up every slab of land available. We recently moved north a bit and we have a ton of property, now! Bay Area xplants may soon have a tax to pay if moving here, due to the irreversible economic & political shift they impose on us. Gone are the days of Roseville being a small train town with a Denio’s flea market.... Read 230 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 138,860

• City in Tennessee

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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  1,509 reviews

Current Resident: I've been a resident of Nashville for almost three years now (born and raised in Cedar Rapids, IA). Nashville is no doubt an "it city", with at one time close to 100 people moving here a day! It's also Music City, and that's not just some silly nickname. As a working musician who's played in different areas around the country, I can say with complete certainty that Nashville's music scene is unlike any other, with a very open arms approach to upcoming artists either local or transient. Live music of all sorts every day of the week across all areas of the city at multiple top level venues. This is Music City. Aside from the music and arts scene, this is also a city that prides itself on its many outdoors attractions. Biking/walking trails throughout the city along with wonderful parks of all sizes are extremely welcoming as well as a great reprieve from the sometimes overbearing hustle and bustle of downtown.... Read 1,509 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B minus

• Population 667,070

• City in Kansas

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  927 reviews

Current Resident: Wichita, Kansas is a very diverse city! Wichitans take great pride in their homes, food, and schools. Wichitans support their local colleges! Every Wichitan knowns is proud to represent the Wichita State University Shockers! With being the largest city is Kansas, there is tons to do! The cost of living is low but the potential to build memories is high. Like every city it has it ups and downs. While it is a great community there is a high homeless population and some high crime areas. However, do not let this deter you from making Wichita your potential home. Come experience it for yourself!... Read 927 reviews

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• grade B minus

• Population 390,566

• City in Indiana

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  852 reviews

Current Resident: I've been in Fort Wayne for about a decade now, I am originally from California. My husband and I started our family business here and raised 3 children because it was a very affordable place to live and we plan to stay. Fort Wayne is growing! Overall my experience has been fantastic due to the very manageable cost of living, the incredible people I have made friends with and the family oriented environment. From my experience Indiana has been a good place to do business. I also have loved Indiana's central location for family road trips. It has been exciting to see Fort Wayne's promising economic development and to see an overall sense of momentum building. The city leadership has many development projects in the pipeline such as the riverfront development, the continued growth of the trails and greenways, the development of an arts campus, the development of the North River property, and commercial and infrastructure improvements in the Southeast.... Read 852 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B minus

• Population 268,378

• City in Illinois

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  2,581 reviews

Current Resident: Chicago is an incredible city that I've been lucky to call home for over 5 years. Incredibly diverse with rich culture in every neighborhood, the windy city has something to offer everyone. As a queer person, I feel incredibly safe here and am surrounded by community. The CTA, our public transit system, and the city's bike-friendliness have allowed me to happily, easily live here without a car. The winter's are tough, but the summers are worth it!... Read 2,581 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B minus

• Population 2,699,347

• City in Arizona

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,570 reviews

Current Resident: Mesa, Arizona is an amazing city. It is the third largest city in the state. and is filled with museums, art work, hiking opportunities, and delicious food and drink. You may be in the middle of the desert, but Mesa even has two rivers! Mesa has many attractions and provides many place's to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and places to visit for culture. I have been impressed by the new light rail that has provided easier travel for commuters as well as boosting the local business profits. It is considered to be a positive addition to the city of Mesa. Welcomed By Sculpture On The Streets, You might just see Humpty Dumpty or a mama bear waiting on a Mesa street corner. But don’t worry that you’re starting to hallucinate from the sweltering Arizona heat—they’re part of the 38 sculptures in the city’s Growing Permanent Sculpture Collection. Bring a map and find all of them. Mesa has been amazing by pulling together thru this pandemic.... Read 1,570 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 508,918

• City in Tennessee

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  645 reviews

Current Resident: I would not want to live anywhere else! Knoxville, Tennessee is the perfect size, in my opinion, because it is big enough to where you are always meeting new people and trying new things, but small enough to where it doesn't feel overwhelming and you can stay connected to your roots. I think there are many educational opportunities because of Knoxville great schools around town and a university in the middle of downtown Knoxville. I also think there is always something to do! There are always new pop ups or small businesses opening up around town, and many beautiful parks or places with a great view of the city. Along with that I feel a sense of safety and community in Knoxville. Everything is well kept, landscaped, and clean as well as the many safe neighborhoods that are available all over the city. I feel safe at home, at school, and at all of my activities around town. I'm very thankful for having the opportunity to live in such an amazing city like Knoxville, Tennessee.... Read 645 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 187,487

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.99 out of 5  1,070 reviews

Current Resident: Well I've lived here majority of my life and there has not been much of a problem since I do not go outside as much. However, the greenery is on the lesser side and there are trash beyond highways and roads, etc. Nonetheless, I've received wonderful friends, tasty food, and fun places to be at. Some downsides are lack of trains and busses, but that's just how it is... I guess!... Read 1,070 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 397,269

• City in Colorado

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  2,338 reviews

Former Resident: Colorado Springs is nestled underneath Pikes Peak, and has all the amenities of a bigger city coupled with a small town, friendly atmosphere. The downtown area is clean and well-groomed, and there are a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities in close proximity to each other, including mountain biking, hiking trails, locally owned vintage shops, mid-range to high-end dining, etc. There are many military bases in Colorado Springs, and therefore many Colorado residents are military, or come from military families, and also spend much of their time outdoors. There is a diverse mix of age, race, and background. One of the down sides is that it is very expensive to live in Colorado Springs. Although there are job opportunities, housing is extremely limited, and a one bedroom apartment in downtown Colorado Springs could cost upwards of $1,200/month. Regardless of any negatives, though, the majority of people who move to Colorado Springs love it!... Read 2,338 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 471,686

• City in Connecticut

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  Rating 4.04 out of 5  198 reviews

Current Resident: What I like about Stamford is simply the kind of lifestyle there is and how big it is. One place to compare it to is NY CITY because of the amount of things to do there. You can "Go Cart", Ice skate, and many other activities as well as hanging out with friends in downtown Stamford. Not only that but many public parks that you can bike, walk, picnic, play sports like basketball, swim, and even barbeque.Some of those places are Scalzi park, cove park with there beaches. As well as lone park. Other notable parks include, mill river park which is a great place for sight seeing and walking around, also Kosciusko park, cummings park and more! Stamford athletically is good because of the sports complex's like sports complexes, like Bobby Vs, also Chelsie piers that also has fields and courts but younger kids can swim there and gymnastics and trampolines. Not only is Stamford exiting but the restaurant choices might be the best in CT. fancy restaurants, diners, great places for Icecream... Read 198 reviews

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• grade B

• Population 130,057

• City in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  473 reviews

Nearby Resident: I love Wilmington…it is the perfect coastal town with so much to do! Everyone is very friendly and welcoming and it is so easy to make friends. The Intracoastal Waterways are beyond beautiful and there is so much to do on them, from kayaking and boating to fishing and scuba diving. There is even more to do and explore on the most amazing beaches there! You can spend a day kite surfing or surfing waves or just walking down the beach. The city is historical and modern all at the same time with great food!... Read 473 reviews

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• grade A minus

• Population 122,162

• City in Florida

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  Rating 4 out of 5  354 reviews

Current Resident: Clearwater is a beautiful area that is not only for vacationing, but for living! You may need to look a little further away from the beach for affordable housing but it's there. Lots of variety in food, diverse cultures, and more!... Read 354 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 115,975

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  378 reviews

Current Resident: I have been living in Tyler, Texas for 5 years now. It took me a while to love this city because I grew up in a huge community and city in Southern California. I moved to Tyler to pursue college and other personal interests, but this city has helped me grow as a person because the people I have worked and became friends with in Tyler. Although there is not many things to do in Tyler comparing to Dallas, you will find a little things to enjoy of living here and you do eventually find your own favorite spots to visit and hang out. This is also a great city to raise a family because they have fun places to take your kiddos to and the schools are great here from what I heard. One of my favorite places in Tyler is the state park because of the beautiful lake and the coffee shops! It has grown so much while living here and I wonder what other great things will come.... Read 378 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 105,859

• City in New York

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  Rating 4 out of 5  465 reviews

Current Resident: I love Buffalo because it truly is the City of Good Neighbors. Rarely do I ever see or experience poor interactions with others around me. This city is rebuilding and becoming a beacon of where to raise a family and grow as an individual. The one thing I would like to see change about Buffalo is the care of the roads. There are potholes everywhere! I have blown a tire more than once, and usually it's in parts that need the love and attention the most. Also I think that there needs to be more care of our veterans and homeless population in regards to housing, food, and mental health needs. There is a opioid epidemic here and I think the city can do more to take care of these people. Otherwise, I love this city and I love living here.... Read 465 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C

• Population 255,805

• City in Ohio

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  1,360 reviews

Current Resident: Overall Columbus, Ohio is a great place to live. There is a good mixture of city and nature here. I enjoy being outdoors and hiking and there are plenty of places to do that here. Columbus also has a ton of great restaurants and markets. There are plenty of other activities here including theater, museums, and family-friendly locations! As with any large city, I sometimes wish it felt a little safer here. There is a significant amount of crime and it has been consistently increasing.... Read 1,360 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C+

• Population 889,079

• City in Indiana

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  Rating 3.58 out of 5  2,578 reviews

Current Resident: I attended Butler University back in the early 80's, remained for about 10 years, and returned again 3 years ago. There are many positives about this city. Housing is affordable. Prior to moving back, I had been living on the west coast where buying a home would have been impossible for me. The people in the midwest are friendly and welcoming. I know my neighbors! We spend time together. The population is diverse. There are great sporting events. Not only do the Pacers make their home here; but also race fans pour end every summer for the Indy 500. Indianapolis has its own Symphony Orchestra, an Art Museum, a Children's Museum, and lots of great places to eat. Indianapolis has become much more dangerous over the years, however. In 2018, it was considered the 10th most dangerous city in the country based on the number on violent crimes. Indiana is a conservative state; however, Indy is reasonably forward thinking and accepting of alternative lifestyles.... Read 2,578 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 869,387

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.59 out of 5  315 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 315 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 104,657

• City in Illinois

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  Rating 3.41 out of 5  246 reviews

Current Resident: I have grown up and have lived in Springfield Illinois my entire life. I have visited other cities for various reasons but am very glad that I can call Springfield my home. I have always felt safe in the public high school I attended. I am thankful for the Catholic education I received at Blessed Sacrament School. I love the fact I lived near Washington Park. There are so many things that one can do there, the Route 66 festival downtown, Blues and Barbeque, to the annual city basketball tournament. It has over 117,000 people yet seems like a small town. The news coverage is adequate n most things but very good on high school sports. Lake Springfield is great for boating and fishing or just enjoying a sunset. Its's not just a punchline of the cartoon show the Simpsons. It a real town that was great to be from!... Read 246 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 115,075

• City in Texas

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  1,996 reviews

Current Resident: I was born and raised in the sun city El Paso. I love this city so much because of the diversity. Being right next to the border and having Fort Bliss, El Paso has become a very diverse culture that I love to be around. I also feel El Paso is a very safe city compared to others for its size. Most people in El Paso are liberal and open minded which I consider a plus as well. I think public education is pretty good with the better districts being Ysleta and Socorro. The only thing I wish to change about El Paso are the highways. They were built when this city had a smaller population and now with the city being much bigger, they can't hold all of the traffic. This leads to a lot of traffic in the afternoons which can be a hassle to get through. Other than that, I am proud to be a resident of the city of the 915 and plan to live here when I am older as well!... Read 1,996 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 679,879