Garden of the Gods Road in Colorado Springs
Garden of the Gods Road in Colorado Springs. (Photo by Unsplash+ in collaboration with Josh Hild)
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5 Best Places To Live In America, Ranked

January 25, 2024
by Anna Landry

Discovering the ideal place to call home involves navigating a myriad of factors, from cultural amenities to economic opportunities. In this article, we explore the top destinations across the country that offer a harmonious blend of thriving communities, picturesque landscapes, and a high quality of life. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant urban pulse or the tranquility of suburban charm, our curated list unveils the best places to live in America.

If you’ve been considering a move, you’re far from alone. A study found that 40 percent of Americans are also contemplating a new location. Moving is far from a beloved task for most adults. In fact, a survey found that one in eight Americans would actually consider it to be more stressful than jail. Though research suggests that the average American has moved five times in their life, most of us would prefer to minimize our hops from city to city or state to state.

That’s why choosing a place to live is such an important decision. It’s no small feat to pack up a life and move it elsewhere, but when there’s something greater out there, it can be a major step toward a better future. A recent survey found that 52 percent of people would consider moving to a new city to land their dream job. Another survey found that 13 percent of movers were relocating to be closer to family.

Whether you are determined to make a change or just pondering, America has thousands of great options to choose from. With 50 states filled with happening cities and towns, the choice can be based on a lot of factors. From climate, to education, to economy, weighing the decision can feel overwhelming to say the least. To help navigate the process, StudyFinds searched 10 expert lists to round up the top five best places to live in America. Our list is comprised of the five cities most frequently listed atop others’ reviews. But if you have a suggestion that we missed, be sure to share it in the comments below!

➡️ How Our “Best Of The Best” Lists Are Created

StudyFinds’ “Best of the Best” articles are put together with the idea of taking the work out of common consumer research. Ever find yourself searching for a product or service on Google and reading multiple reviews to find items listed across many of them? Our Best of the Best lists are created with that process in mind, with each item ranked by how frequently it appears on expert reviews or lists. With Best of the Best, you are getting consensus picks — making them truly the best of the best!

usa flag on pole under sunset sky with clouds
The American flag (Photo by iStrfry , Marcus on Unsplash)

The List: Best Places to Live in America, According to Experts

1. Ann Arbor, Michigan

a street in Ann Arbor, Michigan
State Street in Ann Arbor (Photo by Brad West on Unsplash)

Home to a vibrant culinary scene, growing technology industry, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a city with a lot to offer. Money says not to dismiss Ann Arbor as just another college town; that would be a disservice to all it has to offer. 

There is plenty to do in Ann Arbor. Livability mentions their beautiful hiking trails, artistic flair, and friendly, smart residents. What’s not to like?

Among the many benefits of life in Ann Arbor is the sheer variety that the city offers. “Ann Arbor is a mix of the rural and urban, sporty and smart, outdoorsy and high-tech city,” says MovingWaldo. “Ann Arbor boasts excellent public schools, an increasingly diverse job market, a culturally diverse community, a robust public park system, and low crime rates.”

2. Raleigh, North Carolina

a pond in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina (Photo by Sean Russell on Unsplash)

If you’re looking to build a career in tech while enjoying the comforts of the American South, Raleigh is the city for you. Bankrate calls it “an East Coast center of innovation,” thanks to the city’s plans for a billion-dollar Apple campus. Aside from its booming tech climate, anyone will enjoy the mild weather year-round, amazing culinary scene, and the exciting NC State college football community.

Though Raleigh is a growing city, residents and visitors say it still holds on to classic Southern hospitality and a small-town feel. MovingWaldo describes the city’s residents as some of the warmest and most welcoming people you will ever meet. “Residents are mostly young, friendly, diverse, and educated individuals who enjoy dining out in local restaurants and gathering over craft beers in one of the city’s microbreweries,” they add in their review.

Money reviewers can’t get over the city’s beautiful green spaces with over 9,000 acres of parkland. It will certainly appease the outdoorsy.

3. Huntsville, Alabama

a water fountain in Hunstville
Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama (Photo by Megan Lee on Unsplash)

If you haven’t heard of Huntsville, odds are that you will soon. The city is the fastest growing in the state of Alabama, and for good reason. Business Insider says Huntsville started gaining popularity when it became a famous hub for NASA in the 1960s. Now, you can expect to see tech companies, craft breweries, and artists popping up all over the place there today.

The city is a great place for people of all ages, offering exciting restaurants and bars for young people, great schools for families, and favorable weather year-round for all its residents. “Huntsville’s city has many new shopping, dining, and entertainment options alongside the largest privately owned arts facility in the south,” adds MovingWaldo. “The downtown is gentrifying, with an old cotton mill turned to a performing arts center, and a renovated school now home to craft breweries and bars,” adds Inc.

4. Fayetteville, Arkansas

The old Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville, Arkansas
The old Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville, Arkansas (Photo by Gunnar Rathbun on Shutterstock)

As the home of The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville combines youthful energy with a classic, small-town feel. MovingWaldo also mentions their endless entertainment options for residents. 

According to Business Insider, Fayetteville has seen a burst of growth and is transforming from a small town to a bustling destination full of opportunities for higher education, cultural development, and business.

Thanks to its location in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville also draws a crowd of nature lovers. Inc. notes that in addition to the beautiful mountain backdrop, they have plenty of state parks, community green space, trails, and playgrounds for children. 

5. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs (Photo by Melanie Magdalena on Unsplash)

A paradise for hikers, nature lovers, and adventure seekers, Colorado Springs perfectly rounds out our list of best places to live in the U.S. A local expert tells Business Insider that “Colorado Springs is ‘booming, with new residences popping up alongside quality schools, parks, and cultural attractions.'”

Moving to Colorado Springs gives you all the benefits of Colorado without being smack inthe middle of the hectic action. Inc. says that you can enjoy the nearby ski resorts in Vail and Aspen and come home to the quiet, peaceful living you can find in Colorado Springs for cheaper housing and less traffic. 

Beyond the beautiful landscape, Colorado Springs also holds a wealth of opportunity. Livability. mentions that “the city’s more than 495,000 residents also enjoy excellent job prospects, tons of higher education opportunities, lots of sunshine and an authentic community feel.”

Sources:

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.

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Comments

      1. As an Ohio State alumni all I can say is someone must be holding the list upside down.

      2. As a U of Michigan alumnus, I’m going to tell you that alumnus is the singular of alumni.

    1. No Michigan!!! Snow, ice, rust your cars, Dems, oh did I mention snow, ice, rust your cars and Dems. Very high heating costs and will only get higher along with property taxes. Not sustainable for most people. If you’re Trans or from Detroit please move there you will love it. They need more diversity in Ann Arbor.

      2. Thats 1/2 of the east. Cold, rust, taxes. I think they are referring to AA being the culteral center of Mi at this point. I’ve had a great time there. Detroit will come back in another 20-30- years. Right now AA is the best there is in that area. i think most of the appeal is that, Mi has great fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, backcountry, .. As far as culture. Yeah, I must a missed it.

      3. I could see living in northern Michigan and spending Jan thru April in Alabama.Best of both worlds.I have travelled northern Alabama a good bit,it’s lovely.

  3. Ann Arbor? Sure, if you like a hardcore leftist attitude and intolerance of anything other than the leftist viewpoints. Plus the weather sucks and it’s not far from Detroit. The UM is a progressive joke.

    1. Gary IN, East St. Louis MO, Oakland CA, The Bronx, and the 6th ward of New Orleans are the top 5 places to live provided you tweak the criteria properly.

  4. Colorado Springs is awful. I don’t know why anyone would live there. The fishing sucks. There is too much crime and the people are not nice. At least that is the vibe I get.

    2. Nailed it. Homeless people everywhere and drug paraphernalia and trash at a lot of the trailheads these days.

  5. Roughly 7% of Washtenaw county middle schoolers are addicted to heroin. This is just clickbait.

    1. Lmao. That’s a really specific claim that almost certainly has no basis in face. Nearly 1 in 10 *middle schoolers* there are heroin addicts? Do you have a link or other evidence to back that up?

  10. This article is propaganda, Ann Arbor has a low crime rate because the police refuse to write reports when they don’t catch a suspect in the act. It is not even close to being the #1 place to live in the usa. And the culinary scene here is moderate at best compared to other surrounding cities. Its a town full of elitists who don’t want poor people living within 12 blocks of them, although its next door neighbor Ypsilanti has transient criminals that are happy to kick in your door while you’re at work. If you go downtown be prepared to walk a couple of miles because you cant drive anywhere, and everything here costs about 20% more, with some of the worst service you’ll ever get in a tourism town. Also the river is disgusting, you couldn’t pay me to swim or fish in it. No doubt the rest of this article missed the mark just as badly. Gonna guess the author did very little actual research on this blog entry.

      1. I grew up near columbus and frequent the city, trust me, I’d live in Columbus over The Ace Deuce any day. Ann Arbor is mostly full of blight with the exception of a few gated communities and the campus. Its a party town and thats all it has going for it, once you sober up you realize what a crap town it really is.

  12. Only valid if you don’t care how lgbt folks or women desperate for abortion are treated. Or see don’t see drag queens as only good silly fun.

  14. Ann Arbor? YGBSM! Expensive housing, oppressive taxes, far left politics, and an arrogant government.

  16. I had me some green apes once.
    You want lefties, come to the “Peoples Republic of Madison Wi”. We got lefties up the arrogant a-hole. Papa Joe’s coming on Wednesday, we’re so left.

  17. Funny I have seen the other cities listed in a lot of other top 20 list but never AA….. they must have paid some hefty marketing dollars to whoever made this list. Liberal swamp

      2. “swamp” aka anyone trump whines about. You are realllly triggered by infrastructure, safety regulations and public education spending huh?

  18. All five are college towns. Was that a sine qua non criterion?

    I got a degree from U of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Spent four years there. I have to ask: Have any of the study authors spent time in Ann Arbor in February? During my last winter in Ann Arbor, most of the people that I knew had some kind of injury from falling on ice. We got snow in early December and then a brief and partial thaw. Then the temp went below freezing for the next three months. There was ice EVERYWHERE! On sidewalks, yards, porches, steps, tree trunks … So many people had bruises or sprains or even broken bones from falling.

    And did I mention that we didn’t see the sun for those three months? Low overcast the entire time.

    1. Your comment is spot on. My mother’s family is from Michigan, and I have spent some winters there. If you were in Ann Arbor right now, you would be discovering the truth of the wit’s statement that February is the month God invented to show non-drinkers what a hangover is like. I HAVE spent significant time in all the other cities, and this list is an example of taking random statistics and applying them to unrelated aspects of life. (I’m a native of Denver, I graduated from high school about 20 miles from Fayetteville, AR, I once worked for an Alabama company, I had extensive dealings with Volvo Trucks in NC. I could probably live in most of these places (except Ann Arbor) and be happy enough, but it would cost me more and not make me happier than where I live now, by choice, in central Texas.

  19. What brain dead person created this stupid list? Arkansas or Alabama? Redneck toothless hillbillies. No thanks

    1. And Michigan?????? Unless they were going for guns per capita, the judges had to be on crack!

    2. Are you really that cluess. Huntsville is the head of the US space agency. Arkansas is absolutely beautiful in the mountains. And at least neither of them are led by Woke clueless imbeciles like California or New York.

      1. Arkansas is beautiful in the mountains? Anywhere beautiful in the mountains. But the extremely high illiteracy rate and the fact it is overrun by Christian nationalists should scare most intelligent people away from Arkansas.

      2. Apparently you’ve not been in southern states much. Ppl are friendlier, more responsible and smarter than NYC’s, Chicago’s, etc AVERAGE people.

      3. You mean Awake people. You mean those that express tolerance and treating people with dignity. Well sone of us feel it’s imperative to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not just preach it. You know there is that little faith without works is dead James talked about? Oh well not important to you. I am proud to be woke.

      4. What do you mean by “woke”? By the way, the smartest people live in NY and LA, so save your triggered fantasies.

    3. Yankee idiot- saying those ignorant comments about Alabama and Arkansas. I am an ex New Yorker and love the South. Seems like since the North has so many problems with crime and taxation- many are moving to the South. I live in the FreeState of Florida and I have all my teeth – idiot- thinking people in the South don’t have teeth!

      1. “free state” what does that even mean? I spent most of my life in Florida–it is a humid dump filled with uneducated trash and shopping malls.

      2. If that’s true then why is everybody moving to FL from California and new york.
        We unfortunately have thousands moving here daily. You may be the uneducated one

    4. You’re right, Bob. Please don’t move here. We’ll take our $90k median household income, low crime, low cost of living, excellent food scene, over 300 miles of mountain bike trails, world class museum, etc…and keep it to ourselves. You stay right where you are.

    5. Probably someone wise enough to look beyond stereotypes (or to read the byline to see who wrote the article).

    6. Those are the places that will keep all the people like you away, so the conservative people, can live happily Oh and what is wrong with people from the south, they seem to be happier than Blue areas. so do us all a favor and live as far North as you can get.

    7. Apparently you’ve not been in southern states much. Ppl are friendlier, more responsible and smarter than NYC’s, Chicago’s, etc AVERAGE people.

    8. Gee, Bob what an open minded person you are. Your attitude is not so very pleasant, but make it a good day.

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