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The Best Places to Live in America, Ranked

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By Rilwan Abdullahi

Numerous variables, such as climate, politics, and proximity to extended family, are subjective when determining where to plant one’s roots.

Other desirable characteristics include affordable housing, access to well-paying jobs, a low cost of living, excellent schools, and high-quality healthcare. For its ranking of the best places to reside in the United States for 2022, U.S. News & World Report gathered information on these critical factors for more than one hundred US cities.

To conclusively rank these major metropolitan areas, U.S. News categorized the data into five indexes for each city: job market, value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration. You can read U.S. News’ full methodology.

In addition to the city’s population and average annual salary, the following table provides 10-point scales for “value,” a combination of annual household income and cost of living, and “quality of life,” which takes into account crime, college preparation, commute, and other factors.

Huntsville, Alabama came out on top, followed closely by Colorado Springs.

Continue reading to learn the seven (7) best places to reside in America.

1. Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

The city of Cincinnati is passionate about its cuisine, athletics, and culture. The Queen City of the Midwest has something for everyone, from a robust employment market to an event calendar packed with baseball, museums, and local heritage events.

Despite being one of the 30 largest metropolitan areas in the United States, Cincinnati’s housing is less expensive than the national average, to the delight of its residents.

Population: 2,214,265

Average annual salary: $53,650

Quality of life: 6.7

Value: 7.8

2. Rochester, New York

Rochester, New York

Rochester has made efforts to preserve its heritage while modernizing its downtown to attract more suburban residents.

In the winter, Rochester offers ski slopes and toboggan hills, while in the summer, boating and fishing are possible on Lake Ontario.

Population: 1,071,784

Average annual salary: $54,550

Quality of life: 7.1

Value index: 7.0

3. Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville has experienced a cultural renaissance in recent years, accompanied by an influx of new restaurants and businesses. Despite the fact that summers can be extremely warm, the city’s typically moderate climate makes it possible to explore downtown on foot throughout the year.

Greenville’s economy has been bolstered by an influx of manufacturing employment, with companies such as GE and Michelin setting up shop in the city.

Population: 908,680

Average annual salary: $47,100

Quality of life: 6.1

Value index: 8.0

4. Pensacola, Florida

Pensacola, Florida

This diverse region is home to a 10-day fiesta, beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, and excellent angling spots. Pensacola received high ratings for desirability and net migration, indicating that an increasing number of people are interested in relocating to this beautiful region.

Population: 496,278

Average annual salary: $45,170

Quality of life: 6.6

Value index: 6.5

5. Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, which is only 30 kilometers from the popular tourist destination Niagara Falls, features a more cohesive community. During the winter, Buffalo residents can ski or watch two of their favorite professional sports teams compete.

Nature admirers can visit the nearby Allegheny National Forest and Letchworth State Park, while art lovers can visit nearby cultural attractions.

Population: 1,129,018

Average annual salary: $53,300

Quality of life: 6.8

Value index: 7.8

6. Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford, situated in the Connecticut River Valley, was once home to historical figures such as Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Among the city’s historic attractions are entertainment venues, ski slopes, and state parks located nearby.

In Hartford, which is home to Aetna Inc., United Technologies Corp., and Hartford Hospital, the aerospace, healthcare, and financial services industries dominate the employment market.

Population: 1,205,842

Average annual salary: $65,750

Quality of life: 7.2

Value index: 6.1

7. Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne, Indiana, the center of the Rust Belt, is undergoing revitalization as of late. Manufacturers such as General Motors and BAE Systems have brought jobs to the area, and young people eager to relocate downtown are boosting the local economy.

Fort Wayne, Indiana, is an ideal site to purchase a home, begin a career, launch a business, and raise a family, according to a local expert.

Population: 409,419

Average annual salary: $48,060

Quality of life: 6.4

Value index: 8.4

Frequently Asked Question

What is the #1 city to live in the US?

Cambridge, Massachusetts is the best city to reside in the United States; see which other cities made the list. The best U.S. cities to reside in 2023, according to Niche. This month, Niche ranked the best cities to reside in the United States in 2023.

Where is the cheapest place in the US?

Niche ranked the cheapest locations to live in the United States in its report. This year’s list is topped by Brownsville, Texas. Over the past few years, Brownsville’s position in Niche’s Lowest Cost of Living ranking has consistently risen, from number six in 2021 to number three in 2022 to number one in 2023.

How is the best city to live in?

Bangalore topped the list for the year 2022, followed by Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Coimbatore, Vadodara, Indore, and Greater Mumbai. Culture and environment, stability, health, infrastructure, and education are used to evaluate cities.

Where do the happiest people in the USA live?

In the United States, cities vary widely in terms of their environment, income, citizens’ well-being, and community. California dominated the list of the happiest cities in America in 2023, with Fremont, California, at the top for the second consecutive year.

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