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2018 Best Places to Live in AmericaAbout this List

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

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Best Places to Live
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  1. Carmel

    • Town in Indiana
    • 220
    1 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Carmel is a nationally recognized city and has been ranked the No. 1 best place to live in Money magazine and on Niche.com. It is a great city to live in because of many factors that make it special. First and foremost Carmel is ranked one of the safest cities in Indiana, and has a very low crime rate overall and extremely low violent and property crime rate. Carmel also has a very good school system and is nationally recognized for the quality of education students receive from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and the amount of extracurriculars and opportunities CCS kids benefit from as they progress through school.
    Read 220 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 88,595 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  2. Chesterbrook

    • Suburb of Philadelphia, PA
    • 45
    2 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: I moved here and love it here. There is a huge park where my dog and I can Jog which has a pond and an outdoor amphitheater ,easy access to 202,etc...and so many nice people and dogs. The new townhouses are elevating the values of the older townhomes, and it's overall an amazingly safe, serene enclave. My dog has vast areas to play and see his "buddies" and there's an amazing dog walking company here(dogewalk.com) that gives my boy 2 walks a day at a great price! Great schools,huge park,dog fun...what else is there!
    Read 45 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 4,675 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Clarendon Hills

    • Suburb of Chicago, IL
    • 21
    3 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Clarendon Hills is a very cute town and has lots to offer! Very safe, great schools, cute downtown, very family-friendly. Does lack diversity and nightlife, however.
    Read 21 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 8,680 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Richmond Heights

    • Suburb of St. Louis, MO
    • 18
    4 Best Places to Live in America

    Former Resident: One of the best st louis has to offer with it's safe neighborhoods, location and amenities. Lived here for a year and felt safe/comfortable and close to forest park, stores, other neighborhoods and the business districts. The little shops were nice and lots of foot traffic was not weirdos like other areas in the city. community center nearby and overall an excellent place to live. Only issue was with living in an apartment near residential area was making friends. people were more reserved here and I think homeownership is important to fit in.. I would recommend this area to anyone with a family and a well/okay paying job.
    Read 18 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 8,466 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  6. Okemos

    • Town in Michigan
    • 73
    5 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: I love everything about Okemos! I grew up here and hope to raise my family here as well. The public schools are by far the best in Mid-Michigan. I felt extremely prepared to go into college and was well above many other students. The math classes I took in college were even easier than the ones I took at Okemos. In addition, it is very safe and clean. There are some good restaurants, my favorite being Dusty's, but this is an area I think they can improve in.
    Read 73 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 22,989 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  7. Buffalo Grove

    • Suburb of Chicago, IL
    • 123
    6 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: As a teenager growing up in Buffalo Grove, the majority of my plans with friends involve eating out with friends at one of the numerous restaurants around the area. There are so many amazing options for food in and around Buffalo Grove that include cuisine from almost anything you could think of. In the summer, I bike ride constantly around the area, and I never feel worried about my safety in Buffalo Grove. In order to explore some activities beyond food and dessert, you may need to venture into nearby suburbs. However, you don't need to travel far to experience pedal boating at Independence Grove, indoor skydiving and outlet malls at Rosemont, and other awesome options to do with friends or family. I've been lucky to attend Stevenson High School, which has given me the ability to meet so many people in a diverse atmosphere. Through my AP classes and the rigor of the school, I know I will be prepare to take on college and beyond. Happy to grow up here!
    Read 123 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 41,551 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  10. Clayton

    • Suburb of St. Louis, MO
    • 14
    7 Best Places to Live in America

    Nearby Resident: Beautiful suburb of St. Louis! Has a business district with shopping and restaurants, as well as very nice residential areas. Good place to live for students, young professionals, or families.
    Read 14 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 16,214 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  11. Brentwood

    • Suburb of St. Louis, MO
    • 21
    8 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Brentwood is the St. Louis area’s best kept secret. It’s a wonderful, walkable, very friendly neighborly, and accessible with top-notch schools with high scores and small class sizes. Real estate is hot for all stages of life - young families, professionals, retirees. And you can get to the best St. Louis has to offer in 10-15 minutes. Our family is so happy here.
    Read 21 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 8,025 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  12. Birmingham

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 58
    9 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: I love Birmingham! Downtown Birmingham is great; the city is not too big or too small, and it is very close to many places such as Detroit. I have lived here my whole life and I have never wished to live in another city and I would love to live here again after college and raise my family here.
    Read 58 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 20,836 Population
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  14. Dublin

    • Suburb of Columbus, OH
    • 111
    10 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: I love living in Dublin, it’s an extremely nice suburb! The neighborhood I am in is extremely friendly and you get to know all your neighbors. Historic Dublin is really nice and has a lot of food places to eat! The night life ends a little early but that’s because it’s so family oriented. The schools are very highly rated. Dublin is only about 20 minutes from downtown Columbus and Easton Town Center which are two common areas people like to go. There are many good restaurants and they just opened a new area that has bars and other things to do, apartments are there as well so it is literally it’s own community.
    Read 111 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 44,442 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Ann Arbor

    • City in Michigan
    • 396
    11 Best Places to Live in America

    Nearby Resident: I love Ann Arbor because it has the small town feel, while also having the city and nigh life atmosphere. The heart of this city is located on the campus of The University of Michigan, but it is also surrounded by many tight knit neighborhoods and high schools. There are unlimited restaurants located in downtown Ann Arbor. I have lived here for 16 years and still have not visited 75% of them. If you love family, food, sports, activities, adventure, great school systems, and a caring community then Ann Arbor is the perfect place!
    Read 396 Reviews

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

  16. Presidio of San Francisco

    • Neighborhood in San Francisco, CA
    • 3
    12 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Great park. Beautiful sights, easy transportation to other activities. See Crissy Field and the views of the Golden Gate Bridge or the old Spanish fort buildings. Go the the Walt Disney Family Museum or Fort Point, which has been in it's location in one form or another since the 1700's!
    Read 3 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • 4,117 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  19. Bexley

    • Suburb of Columbus, OH
    • 24
    13 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: I have lived in Bexley for 4 years now and love everything about this suburb. The community is very welcoming and comfortable. There is always a new place to eat whether you are looking for something casual like pizza or even a fancier night out at the local steakhouse. The grocery shopping is convenient with a new Giant Eagle as well as a Kroger, CVS, and more just down the road. There are always new places coming about aiding in the prominent college crowd of the private institution, Capital University. Housing includes anything from apartments to beautiful old mansions. This environment is somewhere I would recommend to anyone.
    Read 24 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 13,659 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  20. Harbour Island

    • Neighborhood in Tampa, FL
    • 3
    14 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Harbour Island is centrally located in downtown Tampa. I love living on the water, and easy walking distances to the downtown area. Then this is a good location for me. I attend Eckerd College campus in Tampa and St. Petersburg location. My apartment complex is conveniently located to both campuses.
    Read 3 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • 3,713 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  21. Whitefish Bay

    • Suburb of Milwaukee, WI
    • 20
    15 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: I loved growing up in Whitefish Bay! I went to Holy Family (a Catholic school in WFB) for grades K-8, and then attended Whitefish Bay High School. I had amazing experiences at both. The sense of community here is fantastic, and I also love the many beaches and parks that this suburb offers. WFB has beautiful homes and is overall a great place for families to live!
    Read 20 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 14,099 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  22. Naperville

    • City in Illinois
    • 510
    16 Best Places 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 510 Reviews

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

  23. Fishers

    • Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
    • 307
    17 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Fishers is a very family oriented community with phenomenal schools. My children are able to play outside without too much concern for their safety (outside of the normal concerns of traffic, etc.) Everything we need is within close proximity, i.e. grocery, library. Traffic can often be difficult, but those problems are being remedied currently. We love Fishers!
    Read 307 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 87,557 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Houserville

    • Town in Pennsylvania
    • 12
    18 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Very clean, quaint, charming neighborhood of State College, PA. Voted #3 in best places to live in the United States. Great public schools, very close to Penn State University. Cata bus allows for easy commute to downtown State College.
    Read 12 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 2,019 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Morrisville

    • Suburb of Raleigh, NC
    • 50
    19 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Morrisville is very nice for eating out, shopping, luxurious housing, as well great for walking/biking trails for everyday exercise. In the early mornings, people are seen walking and running around the neighborhoods, people are very health conscious and many new organic food places have opened up. Morrisville is increasing in diversity, also in competitiveness in local schools. Over the past couple of years, Morrisville is becoming very lively environment causing it to have really well affect on the housing market. Morrisville is also close to the RTP area, which is really convenient for working people.
    Read 50 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 23,873 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Mount Lebanon Township

    • Suburb of Pittsburgh, PA
    • 71
    20 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: I have lived in Mount Lebanon for all my seventeen years of living, so naturally, I am predisposed to liking it. Regardless, the education and emphasis on community are the outlying aspects that truly exemplify the beauty of this neighborhood. For example, Mount Lebanon's schools are recognized nationally for their excellence. In terms of community, families and friends are often found in the same, popular spots in Mount Lebanon. The downtown is known as "uptown", and it is a center for small businesses, law enforcement, and schools. People come together for public events like art festivals and light up nights. Perhaps most important to Mount Lebanon is the demeanor of the people: warm, friendly, and thankful for the safe community in which they live.
    Read 71 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 32,760 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Beverly Hills

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 15
    21 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: I really enjoy living in Beverly Hills. There is a great school district. The police station is very central and the people are really friendly!
    Read 15 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 10,424 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  30. Albany

    • Suburb of San Francisco, CA
    • 41
    22 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Positives: small town community feel. You know your neighbors and retail shop owners. Good community resources and activities. Great schools with parents and teachers who care. Excellent transportation options if you have to commute. Ability to walk just about everywhere. There is a generally high police presence in terms of patrol car visibility which I think helps a lot. You can walk the streets at all hours and it's generally safe.

    Negatives: petty crime such as prowling and vehicle burglaries that you see in places like Berkeley and Oakland. Used to be a much bigger homeless population but most have been moved out. Housing and rental prices are ridiculously high given the size of most homes and apartments. More demand than supply.

    Albany was once very conservative, but the demographics are slowly changing and the city has had its share of ups and downs with regard to race, tolerance, and diversity.
    Read 41 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 19,682 Population
    View Nearby Homes
  31. Review Your Area

  32. Los Alamos

    • Town in New Mexico
    • 13
    23 Best Places to Live in America

    Former Resident: Los Alamos is in a remote but idyllic ponderosa pine setting atop 5 mesas (7,500 ft elevation) overlooking the Rio Grande valley. It is a town of cultural diversity being the home to scientists from all over the world, yet encircled by Native American land. It is a wonderful place for raising a family...safe environment...good school system...lots of free activities designed for young families. There are many trails to hike, parks to explore, playgrounds to enjoy, museums and nature center activities to enlighten. There is a golf course, an aquacenter and ski slopes at hand. If you like to perform musically or theatrically there are various organizations which provide plenty of opportunities. There is an arts center with a shop to display ones creations. There is a large public library that is well supported by its highly educated community members. We lived in Los Alamos for 12 years...it was a privilege to have been able to do so.
    Read 13 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 12,035 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  33. Rincon Hill

    • Neighborhood in San Francisco, CA
    • 1
    24 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: Love living here, housing is a bit expensive but it feels secure and pretty (if you walk towards the water); I’d like to see less homeless people wondering the streets...
    Read 1 Review

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • 7,210 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  34. Penn Wynne

    • Suburb of Philadelphia, PA
    • 14
    25 Best Places to Live in America

    Current Resident: I love living in Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania. I have lived here for the past 15 years and spent elementary, middle, and am currently finishing up high school living in this neighborhood. Many of my friends live here, and I have met many kind people from all over Penn Wynne. Penn Wynne has a small town feeling with all of the benefits of living minutes away from Philadelphia. I love the parks and open spaces that Penn Wynne has to offer. I am not sure where I will live when I am older, but Penn Wynne will always have a special place in my heart.
    Read 14 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 5,720 Population
    View Nearby Homes
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