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United States · 2026 edition

Best places to live in America

We scored 5,138 cities and towns of 10,000+ people on the six things people weigh when they move: affordability, safety, schools, health, jobs and the outdoors, from public data. Then we ask the people who live there whether we got it right.

#1 best places to liveFort Thomas, KY 78score

The top 25

Weights: Affordability 20% · Safety 20% · Schools 20% · Health 15% · Jobs & commute 15% · Outdoors & community 10%. How the score works

#1

Fort Thomas, KY

· 17,169 people
78A+

Why it’s here: Health (#109 closest to a top hospital), safety (#226 safest).

Is Fort Thomas really #1?AgreeDisagree
#2

Rochester, MI

· 12,934 people
78A+

Why it’s here: Schools (#6 highest graduation rate), safety (#76 safest).

Is Rochester really #2?AgreeDisagree
#3

Berkley, MI

· 15,149 people
78A+

Why it’s here: Safety (#123 safest), schools (#6 highest graduation rate).

Is Berkley really #3?AgreeDisagree
  1. 4
    Bay Village, OH15,984 people · Safety, schools
    78A+
  2. 5
    Perrysburg, OH25,181 people · Safety, schools
    77A+
  3. 6
    Springboro, OH19,980 people · Schools, safety
    76A+
  4. 7
    Los Alamos, NM13,317 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    76A+
  5. 8
    Whitefish Bay, WI14,665 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    76A+
  6. 9
    Hampden, PA34,222 people · Safety, health
    75A+
  7. 10
    Pella, IA10,720 people · Schools, health · weaker on outdoors & community
    75A+
  8. 11
    Fishers, IN102,337 people · Schools, health
    75A+
  9. 12
    Smithfield, UT14,408 people · Safety, schools
    75A+
  10. 13
    Rocky River, OH21,490 people · Safety, health
    75A+
  11. 14
    Upper Arlington, OH36,293 people · Health, schools · weaker on affordability
    75A+
  12. 15
    Kaysville, UT33,053 people · Schools, safety
    75A+
  13. 16
    Rochester Hills, MI77,089 people · Schools, safety
    75A+
  14. 17
    Brandon, SD10,996 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    74A+
  15. 18
    Noblesville, IN73,362 people · Schools, safety
    74A+
  16. 19
    Cedarburg, WI12,605 people · Schools, safety
    74A+
  17. 20
    Farmington, MI11,504 people · Safety, schools
    73A+
  18. 21
    Broadview Heights, OH19,771 people · Safety, schools
    73A+
  19. 22
    Beverly Hills, MI10,524 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    73A+
  20. 23
    New Ulm, MN14,056 people · Safety, affordability
    73A+
  21. 24
    Crestwood, MO12,295 people · Schools, health
    73A+
  22. 25
    Troy, IL11,647 people · Schools, safety · weaker on outdoors & community
    73A+
See the top 300 →
  1. 26
    Dyer, IN16,400 people · Safety, schools
    73A+
  2. 27
    Carmel, IN101,651 people · Health, schools · weaker on affordability
    73A+
  3. 28
    Meadville, PA12,577 people · Health, affordability
    73A+
  4. 29
    Brownsburg, IN31,215 people · Schools, safety
    73A+
  5. 30
    Brecksville, OH13,692 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    73A+
  6. 31
    Durham, NH15,080 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    73A+
  7. 32
    Pinehurst, NC18,256 people · Safety, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    73A+
  8. 33
    Hanover, NH11,685 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    73A+
  9. 34
    Papillion, NE25,244 people · Health, safety
    73A+
  10. 35
    East Grand Rapids, MI11,445 people · Jobs & commute, schools · weaker on affordability
    73A+
  11. 36
    Cary, IL17,923 people · Schools, safety
    73A+
  12. 37
    Scott, PA17,270 people · Health, schools
    73A+
  13. 38
    Spring Lake, MI15,517 people · Schools, health
    73A+
  14. 39
    Geneva, IL21,258 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    73A+
  15. 40
    Birmingham, MI21,763 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    73A+
  16. 41
    Spencer, IA11,400 people · Affordability, schools
    72A+
  17. 42
    Ballwin, MO31,279 people · Safety, schools
    72A+
  18. 43
    Waunakee, WI15,687 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    72A+
  19. 44
    Port Washington, WI12,645 people · Safety, schools
    72A+
  20. 45
    Norwalk, IA14,183 people · Safety, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    72A+
  21. 46
    Orion, MI38,546 people · Safety, schools
    72A+
  22. 47 Y
    York, ME13,986 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    72A+
  23. 48
    Trenton, MI18,125 people · Safety, schools
    72A+
  24. 49
    Mapleton, UT13,114 people · Safety, schools
    72A+
  25. 50 L
    Lincoln, MI14,898 people · Schools, safety
    72A+
  26. 51
    Orono, ME11,902 people · Safety, schools
    72A+
  27. 52
    Huntertown, IN11,379 people · Schools, health · weaker on outdoors & community
    72A+
  28. 53
    Centerville, UT16,679 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    72A+
  29. 54
    Northville, MI31,557 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    72A+
  30. 55
    Tipp City, OH10,439 people · Schools, affordability
    72A+
  31. 56
    Bellefontaine, OH13,807 people · Schools, affordability · weaker on outdoors & community
    71A+
  32. 57
    Menomonee Falls, WI39,539 people · Safety, health
    71A+
  33. 58
    Westfield, IN54,677 people · Schools, safety
    71A+
  34. 59
    Needham, MA32,459 people · Health, schools · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  35. 60
    Clayton, MO17,380 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  36. 61
    Sylvania, OH19,055 people · Safety, health
    71A+
  37. 62
    Teays Valley, WV14,151 people · Schools, affordability
    71A+
  38. 63
    Perry, IN38,311 people · Schools, health · weaker on outdoors & community
    71A+
  39. 64
    Dublin, OH49,294 people · Health, schools · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  40. 65
    Mountain Brook, AL22,029 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  41. 66
    Webster Groves, MO23,712 people · Safety, health
    71A+
  42. 67
    Tega Cay, SC13,615 people · Schools, safety
    71A+
  43. 68
    Bloomfield, MI44,097 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  44. 69
    Falmouth, ME12,755 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  45. 70
    Bethel Park, PA32,881 people · Safety, schools
    71A+
  46. 71
    Twinsburg, OH19,410 people · Schools, safety
    71A+
  47. 72
    Clay, IN101,217 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  48. 73
    Rockville Centre, NY25,765 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  49. 74
    Wayland, MA13,914 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  50. 75
    Weston, MA11,579 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  51. 76
    South Park, PA13,706 people · Safety, health
    71A+
  52. 77
    Olmsted, OH14,523 people · Safety, schools
    71A+
  53. 78
    Winfield, IL10,095 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  54. 79
    Winchester, MA23,406 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  55. 80
    North Canton, OH17,727 people · Safety, affordability
    71A+
  56. 81
    Loveland, OH13,197 people · Schools, safety
    71A+
  57. 82
    Delaware, IN35,734 people · Schools, health
    71A+
  58. 83
    Johnston, IA24,384 people · Schools, safety
    71A+
  59. 84
    Lake Forest, IL19,416 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  60. 85 E
    East Pennsboro, PA21,162 people · Safety, health
    71A+
  61. 86
    North Liberty, IA21,125 people · Safety, health
    71A+
  62. 87
    Georgetown, MI54,965 people · Schools, health
    71A+
  63. 88
    Avon, OH25,317 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  64. 89
    Plymouth, MN79,220 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  65. 90
    Oak Hills, OR11,131 people · Outdoors & community, schools · weaker on affordability
    71A+
  66. 91
    St. Marys, PA12,529 people · Affordability, health
    70A+
  67. 92 M
    Millcreek, PA53,472 people · Health
    70A+
  68. 93
    Oakland, MI20,339 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    70A+
  69. 94
    Lexington, MA34,295 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    70A+
  70. 95
    Grafton, WI12,445 people · Schools, health
    70A+
  71. 96
    Avon Lake, OH25,752 people · Safety, schools
    70A+
  72. 97
    Chesterfield, MO49,574 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    70A+
  73. 98
    Montgomery, OH10,855 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    70A+
  74. 99
    Scarsdale, NY18,010 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    70A+
  75. 100
    Bettendorf, IA39,647 people · Schools, safety
    70A+
  76. 101 H
    Harrison, WI13,658 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on outdoors & community
    70A+
  77. 102
    Longmeadow, MA15,696 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    70A+
  78. 103
    Hillsdale, NJ10,144 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    70A+
  79. 104
    Poland, OH14,573 people · Safety, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    70A+
  80. 105
    Pittsford, NY30,543 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    70A+
  81. 106
    Shorewood, WI13,627 people · Schools, outdoors & community · weaker on affordability
    70A+
  82. 107
    Medina, OH25,950 people · Schools, safety
    70A
  83. 108
    South Lyon, MI11,950 people · Safety, schools
    70A
  84. 109
    Mequon, WI25,270 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    70A
  85. 110
    Bella Vista, AR31,697 people · Schools, safety
    70A
  86. 111
    Superior, CO13,305 people · Outdoors & community, schools · weaker on affordability
    70A
  87. 112
    Winnetka, IL12,484 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    70A
  88. 113
    Wellesley, MA30,347 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    70A
  89. 114
    La Grange, KY10,311 people · Health, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    70A
  90. 115
    New Berlin, WI40,270 people · Schools, safety
    70A
  91. 116
    College, PA10,540 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    70A
  92. 117
    Derry, PA24,977 people · Health, schools
    70A
  93. 118
    Buffalo Grove, IL42,891 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    70A
  94. 119
    Bentonville, AR58,249 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    70A
  95. 120
    North Logan, UT11,460 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    70A
  96. 121
    Whitpain, PA20,446 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    70A
  97. 122
    Midland, MI42,724 people · Safety, schools
    69A
  98. 123
    Manlius, NY33,328 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    69A
  99. 124
    River Vale, NJ10,058 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    69A
  100. 125
    West Chester, PA20,666 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    69A
  101. 126
    East Greenwich, RI14,554 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    69A
  102. 127
    Mill Valley, CA14,012 people · Health, schools · weaker on affordability
    69A
  103. 128 G
    Grayslake, IL20,929 people · Schools, safety
    69A
  104. 129
    Jenks, OK27,102 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    69A
  105. 130
    Smithfield, RI22,233 people · Schools, safety
    69A
  106. 131
    Kirkwood, MO29,363 people · Schools, health
    69A
  107. 132
    Cary, NC179,306 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    69A
  108. 133
    Medway, MA13,436 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    69A
  109. 134
    Leawood, KS33,809 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    69A
  110. 135
    Baldwin, PA21,057 people · Safety, health
    69A
  111. 136
    Patton, PA15,791 people · Health, schools
    69A
  112. 137
    Brookfield, WI41,273 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    69A
  113. 138
    Troy, OH26,842 people · Affordability, safety
    69A
  114. 139
    Fox Crossing, WI19,131 people · Safety, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    69A
  115. 140
    Jefferson Hills, PA12,317 people · Health, safety · weaker on outdoors & community
    69A
  116. 141
    Royal Oak, MI57,950 people · Health, schools
    69A
  117. 142
    Pike Creek Valley, DE12,431 people · Health, outdoors & community
    69A
  118. 143
    Plymouth, MI27,412 people · Safety, schools
    69A
  119. 144
    Montville, OH13,290 people · Safety, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    69A
  120. 145 M
    Madison, NJ16,447 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    69A
  121. 146
    Cheshire, CT29,040 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    69A
  122. 147
    Lemont, IL17,820 people · Schools, safety
    69A
  123. 148
    River Edge, NJ12,091 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    69A
  124. 149
    Bethany, OR33,106 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    69A
  125. 150
    Waverly, IA10,494 people · Schools, health
    69A
  126. 151
    Weatherford, OK12,004 people · Safety, schools · weaker on health
    69A
  127. 152
    Grand Rapids, MI19,053 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    69A
  128. 153
    Vestavia Hills, AL38,616 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    69A
  129. 154
    Highlands Ranch, CO102,257 people · Health, schools · weaker on affordability
    69A
  130. 155
    Independence, KY29,392 people · Safety, health · weaker on outdoors & community
    69A
  131. 156
    Urbandale, IA46,595 people · Safety, jobs & commute
    69A
  132. 157 C
    Cheat Lake, WV10,902 people · Schools, health
    69A
  133. 158
    Stillwater, MN19,355 people · Health, safety
    69A
  134. 159
    Farmington, UT25,389 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    69A
  135. 160
    Groton, MA11,390 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    69A
  136. 161
    Lower Burrell, PA11,633 people · Safety, health · weaker on outdoors & community
    69A
  137. 162
    Murrysville, PA20,817 people · Safety, schools
    69A
  138. 163
    Canton, CT10,144 people · Safety, schools
    69A
  139. 164
    Fernandina Beach, FL13,420 people · Schools, health
    69A
  140. 165
    Acton, MA24,155 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    69A
  141. 166
    Newton, MA89,044 people · Health, safety · weaker on affordability
    69A
  142. 167
    Mokena, IL20,021 people · Schools, safety
    69A
  143. 168
    Dardenne Prairie, MO13,503 people · Schools, health
    69A
  144. 169
    Lakeville, MN74,354 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    69A
  145. 170
    Wilmette, IL27,503 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    69A
  146. 171
    Aliso Viejo, CA51,113 people · Outdoors & community, schools · weaker on affordability
    69A
  147. 172 C
    Concord, MA18,223 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    69A
  148. 173
    Sartell, MN19,758 people · Schools, health
    68A
  149. 174
    Windsor, CO37,914 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  150. 175
    Barrington, RI17,126 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    68A
  151. 176
    Edina, MN53,262 people · Health, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  152. 177
    Lake Oswego, OR40,381 people · Schools, outdoors & community · weaker on affordability
    68A
  153. 178
    Marion, IA41,896 people · Safety, health
    68A
  154. 179
    O'Fallon, MO93,801 people · Safety, schools
    68A
  155. 180
    Ankeny, IA72,615 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    68A
  156. 181
    Manheim, PA44,237 people · Safety, health
    68A
  157. 182
    Commerce, MI43,840 people · Schools, safety
    68A
  158. 183
    Lake St. Louis, MO18,066 people · Safety, schools
    68A
  159. 184
    Portsmouth, RI17,644 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  160. 185
    Reading, MA25,612 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  161. 186
    Grand Haven, MI10,996 people · Health, outdoors & community
    68A
  162. 187
    Bixby, OK30,155 people · Schools, safety
    68A
  163. 188
    Glen Rock, NJ12,154 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    68A
  164. 189
    Duxbury, MA16,185 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    68A
  165. 190
    Ridgewood, NJ26,308 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    68A
  166. 191
    South Fayette, PA18,460 people · Safety, schools
    68A
  167. 192
    Aurora, OH17,581 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    68A
  168. 193
    Waconia, MN13,434 people · Health, schools
    68A
  169. 194
    Oakland, NJ12,768 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  170. 195
    Westford, MA24,690 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  171. 196
    Issaquah, WA39,591 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    68A
  172. 197
    Lancaster, NY10,113 people · Schools
    68A
  173. 198
    Madison, MS27,946 people · Safety, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    68A
  174. 199
    Solon, OH23,943 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    68A
  175. 200
    Brandon, MS25,542 people · Schools, safety · weaker on outdoors & community
    68A
  176. 201
    De Pere, WI25,301 people · Safety, jobs & commute
    68A
  177. 202
    Anderson, OH43,867 people · Schools, health
    68A
  178. 203
    Gilbert, AZ280,262 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    68A
  179. 204
    Davidson, NC15,660 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    68A
  180. 205
    Jasper, IN15,991 people · Affordability, safety
    68A
  181. 206
    Shaler, PA27,538 people · Safety
    68A
  182. 207
    Grosse Pointe Woods, MI16,094 people · Health, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  183. 208
    Troy, MI87,898 people · Schools, health
    68A
  184. 209
    Kennebunk, ME11,820 people · Schools, safety
    68A
  185. 210
    Westwood, NJ11,283 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  186. 211
    Trophy Club, TX13,733 people · Safety, outdoors & community · weaker on affordability
    68A
  187. 212
    Monroe, WI10,587 people · Safety, affordability
    68A
  188. 213 H
    Harborcreek, PA16,671 people · Schools, affordability
    68A
  189. 214
    Northfield, MN20,742 people · Health, outdoors & community
    68A
  190. 215
    Fort Mill, SC30,775 people · Schools, safety
    68A
  191. 216
    Sudbury, MA19,306 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    68A
  192. 217
    Southlake, TX31,137 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    68A
  193. 218
    Mayfield Heights, OH20,022 people · Safety, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    68A
  194. 219
    Penfield, NY38,965 people · Schools, jobs & commute
    68A
  195. 220
    Crown Point, IN34,393 people · Schools, safety
    68A
  196. 221
    River Falls, WI16,719 people · Outdoors & community, health
    68A
  197. 222
    Glastonbury, CT35,293 people · Health, safety · weaker on affordability
    68A
  198. 223
    Libertyville, IL20,525 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    68A
  199. 224
    Northborough, MA15,750 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  200. 225
    Catalina Foothills, AZ52,593 people · Schools, health
    68A
  201. 226
    Milton, MA28,587 people · Health, safety · weaker on affordability
    68A
  202. 227
    Nixa, MO24,836 people · Safety, schools
    68A
  203. 228
    Lincoln, IN36,860 people · Schools, health · weaker on outdoors & community
    68A
  204. 229
    Westlake, OH34,104 people · Health, schools
    68A
  205. 230
    Oconomowoc, WI19,080 people · Safety, health
    68A
  206. 231
    Eden Prairie, MN63,051 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    68A
  207. 232
    North Kingstown, RI27,859 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    68A
  208. 233
    McCordsville, IN10,329 people · Schools, health
    67A
  209. 234
    Zeeland, MI12,137 people · Jobs & commute, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    67A
  210. 235
    Novi, MI66,717 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    67A
  211. 236
    Monroe, CT18,949 people · Safety, schools
    67A
  212. 237
    Waimalu, HI13,061 people · Schools, health
    67A
  213. 238
    Lehi, UT85,173 people · Safety, schools
    67A
  214. 239
    Hopkinton, MA19,358 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    67A
  215. 240
    Bedford, MA14,727 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  216. 241
    Cody, WY10,276 people · Schools, safety
    67A
  217. 242
    Laguna Woods, CA17,289 people · Safety, outdoors & community
    67A
  218. 243
    Greensburg, IN12,229 people · Schools, affordability · weaker on outdoors & community
    67A
  219. 244
    New Baltimore, MI12,072 people · Safety, schools
    67A
  220. 245 H
    Hampton, PA18,185 people · Schools, health
    67A
  221. 246
    La Grange Park, IL13,447 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  222. 247
    Avon, CT18,946 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    67A
  223. 248
    Amherst, NH11,861 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    67A
  224. 249
    Narragansett, RI14,494 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    67A
  225. 250
    Lewisboro, NY12,089 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    67A
  226. 251
    Kenmore, WA23,741 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  227. 252
    North Huntingdon, PA31,826 people · Safety, schools
    67A
  228. 253
    Exeter, NH16,151 people · Health, safety · weaker on affordability
    67A
  229. 254
    Western Springs, IL13,446 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  230. 255
    Goffstown, NH18,513 people · Safety, health
    67A
  231. 256 M
    Muskego, WI25,406 people · Safety, schools
    67A
  232. 257
    Farmington, CT27,134 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  233. 258
    Lyon, MI24,933 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    67A
  234. 259
    Carroll, IA10,208 people · Affordability, schools
    67A
  235. 260
    Lexington, SC24,585 people · Schools, safety
    67A
  236. 261
    Antioch, IL14,859 people · Schools, safety
    67A
  237. 262
    Wyomissing, PA11,172 people · Health, outdoors & community · weaker on affordability
    67A
  238. 263
    Granby, CT11,184 people · Safety, schools
    67A
  239. 264
    Fall Creek, IN73,319 people · Schools, health
    67A
  240. 265
    Hubbard, OH12,891 people · Affordability, safety
    67A
  241. 266
    Canyon, TX15,723 people · Schools, safety · weaker on health
    67A
  242. 267
    Waukee, IA29,236 people · Schools, safety · weaker on outdoors & community
    67A
  243. 268
    Stallings, NC16,886 people · Schools, safety
    67A
  244. 269
    Scio, MI17,725 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  245. 270
    Southfield, MI14,758 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  246. 271
    Kinnelon, NJ10,013 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    67A
  247. 272
    Newburyport, MA18,652 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    67A
  248. 273
    Garden City, NY22,941 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  249. 274
    Lebanon, IN17,812 people · Schools, affordability · weaker on outdoors & community
    67A
  250. 275
    Oswego, IL36,375 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    67A
  251. 276
    Madison, AL60,106 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on outdoors & community
    67A
  252. 277
    Wheaton, IL53,557 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  253. 278
    Glen Ellyn, IL28,390 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  254. 279 A
    Ada, MI14,524 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    67A
  255. 280
    Flower Mound, TX78,389 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  256. 281
    Madison, CT17,616 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    67A
  257. 282
    Verona, NJ14,545 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  258. 283
    Belmont, MA27,175 people · Health, outdoors & community · weaker on affordability
    67A
  259. 284
    Lake, OH30,348 people · Schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    67A
  260. 285
    Ellisville, MO10,002 people · Schools, safety
    67A
  261. 286
    Savage, MN32,889 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  262. 287
    Geneva, IL26,345 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  263. 288
    Coppell, TX42,154 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    67A
  264. 289
    Holliston, MA15,094 people · Safety, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  265. 290
    Northbrook, IL34,585 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  266. 291
    Saratoga, CA30,319 people · Schools, safety · weaker on affordability
    67A
  267. 292
    Owasso, OK40,151 people · Schools
    67A
  268. 293
    Forestville, OH10,831 people · Schools, health · weaker on outdoors & community
    67A
  269. 294
    Manhattan, IL11,026 people · Safety, schools · weaker on outdoors & community
    67A
  270. 295 B
    Byron, MI27,691 people · Schools, health · weaker on outdoors & community
    67A
  271. 296
    Lenexa, KS58,384 people · Schools, health
    67A
  272. 297
    Libertyville, IL54,192 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  273. 298
    Minnetonka, MN53,064 people · Schools, jobs & commute · weaker on affordability
    67A
  274. 299
    Pine, PA15,224 people · Schools, health · weaker on affordability
    67A
  275. 300
    Southborough, MA10,493 people · Safety, schools · weaker on affordability
    67A

Every city and town with 10,000+ residents and data on at least 5 of the 6 areas.

State by state

The top-scoring city or town in each state

Every state has its own list, scored against its own towns, with small towns included.

AlaskaNorth LakesAlabamaMountain BrookArkansasBella VistaArizonaGilbertCaliforniaMill ValleyColoradoSuperiorConnecticutCheshireDistrict of ColumbiaWashingtonDelawarePike Creek ValleyFloridaFernandina BeachGeorgiaJeffersonHawaiiWaimaluIowaPellaIdahoRathdrumIllinoisTroyIndianaFishersKansasLeawoodKentuckyFort ThomasLouisianaBayou CaneMassachusettsNeedhamMarylandOcean PinesMaineYorkMichiganRochesterMinnesotaNew UlmMissouriCrestwoodMississippiMadisonMontanaBozemanNorth CarolinaPinehurstNorth DakotaWest FargoNebraskaPapillionNew HampshireDurhamNew JerseyHillsdaleNew MexicoLos AlamosNevadaSummerlin SouthNew YorkRockville CentreOhioBay VillageOklahomaJenksOregonOak HillsPennsylvaniaHampdenRhode IslandEast GreenwichSouth CarolinaTega CaySouth DakotaBrandonTennesseeBrentwoodTexasTrophy ClubUtahSmithfieldVirginiaMechanicsvilleVermontEssex JunctionWashingtonIssaquahWisconsinWhitefish BayWest VirginiaTeays ValleyWyomingCody
Your turn

Did we get America right?

Data can’t tell you what a Tuesday feels like on Main Street. If you live in one of these towns, or left one, tell neighbors what the numbers miss.

You’ll land in your town’s Town Square with a post started. Guests can post too; we just confirm your email.
Method

How the score works

Every number is public data, compared only with other U.S. cities and towns. A town gets 0–100 in each area by where it falls on that area’s lists (the best = 100, the last = 0), and the score is the weighted average. So a score of 70 means that, across what matters, the town does better than about 70% of the others. Nobody is best at everything: the top scores land around 70. Schools are compared within each state, since every state gives its own tests.

Affordability

What a home costs against local income, the property-tax bill, and rent.

Most affordableLowest property taxCheapest rent

Safety

Crime reported to police per resident (FBI data).

Safest

Schools

State test results and the graduation rate of the town’s public schools.

Best schools (by state)Highest graduation rate (by state)

Health

CDC health estimates, health insurance, and the drive to a top hospital.

HealthiestFewest uninsuredClosest to a top hospital

Jobs & commute

Household income and the average commute.

Highest incomeShortest commute

Outdoors & community

Trails, conserved land, walkable streets, and a well-used library.

Most trailsMost conserved landMost walkableMost-used libraries
ListAffordabilitySafetySchoolsHealthJobs & commuteOutdoors & community
Overall20%20%20%15%15%10%
For families15%25%35%10%5%10%
To retire20%25%–35%–20%
Affordable45%20%15%10%5%5%

Towns need data on at least 5 of the 6 areas; a missing area’s weight is shared by the rest. Sources: U.S. Census ACS, state education departments, FBI crime data, CDC PLACES, IMLS libraries, conservation and trail data.

Quick answers

Living in America: questions people ask

What is the best place to live in America?

Fort Thomas, KY scores highest overall (78), followed by Rochester, MI and Berkley, MI.

What is the best place in America to raise a family?

Rochester, MI, when schools and safety count for most of the score.

What is the most affordable good place to live in America?

Peru, IN leads when affordability counts for nearly half the score, without giving up safety and schools.

Where is the best place to retire in America?

Pittsburgh, PA scores best when health, safety and affordability lead.

Go deeper

Every national ranking

All rankings →
Most affordableSafestHealthiestLowest property taxShortest commuteMost trailsMost walkableHighest incomeFastest growing