Revealed: Best Cities to Live in the US, 2024

Covering nearly 3.8 million square miles and housing over 335 million people, the United States stands as the third-largest country globally in terms of both landmass and population. Despite a generally high standard of living, the vast size of the country means that certain regions offer more favorable living conditions than others.

Determining the overall quality of life is a subjective endeavor, yet various factors contribute to the desirability of specific communities. Elements such as the local economy, public health and safety, and accessibility to culture and entertainment play crucial roles in shaping the living experience.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 40% of the 28.2 million Americans who relocated in 2022 did so for reasons such as securing a new job, finding a better or more affordable home, residing in a safer neighborhood, or health-related considerations.

The analysis encompassed all locations in the U.S. with sufficient data and populations exceeding 5,000. The list includes cities, towns, villages, boroughs, and unincorporated communities, with a focus on the highest-ranking place in each county to prevent geographic clustering.

Typically, the communities on this list boast low crime rates, prosperous economies, and financially stable populations. Most residents in these areas also enjoy easy access to quality healthcare, public parks, and recreational facilities, as well as entertainment and cultural attractions such as bars, restaurants, theaters, and museums.

• Boulder, Colorado

  Median home value: $790,100
  Median household income: $74,902
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 95.0%
  Recreational establishments: 18.3 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 104,930

• North Oaks, Minnesota

  Median home value: $696,800
  Median household income: $220,861
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.8%
  Recreational establishments: 38.9 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 5,204

• Coto de Caza, California

  Median home value: $1,165,200
  Median household income: $210,990
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.1%
  Recreational establishments: 17.2 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 15,873

• Montecito, California

  Median home value: $2,000,000
  Median household income: $193,423
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 96.1%
  Recreational establishments: 49.5 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 8,494

• Key West, Florida

  Median home value: $728,500
  Median household income: $75,638
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 80.6%
  Recreational establishments: 179.6 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 26,776

• Key Biscayne, Florida

  Median home value: $1,246,700
  Median household income: $167,990
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.5%
  Recreational establishments: 18.1 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 14,530

• Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania

  Median home value: $769,300
  Median household income: $247,930
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 92.9%
  Recreational establishments: 47.1 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 5,314

• Bellaire, Texas

  Median home value: $857,900
  Median household income: $211,202
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 91.0%
  Recreational establishments: 17.1 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 17,262

• St. Helena, California

  Median home value: $1,370,500
  Median household income: $122,348
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 95.2%
  Recreational establishments: 27.2 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 5,530

• Druid Hills, Georgia

  Median home value: $698,000
  Median household income: $137,576
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 88.5%
  Recreational establishments: 12.4 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 8,611

• Fairwood, Maryland

  Median home value: $588,600
  Median household income: $177,315
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.3%
  Recreational establishments: 11.8 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 7,453

• Jackson, Wyoming

  Median home value: $836,300
  Median household income: $83,289
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.7%
  Recreational establishments: 51.2 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 10,728

• Southlake, Texas

  Median home value: $723,800
  Median household income: $239,833
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 94.6%
  Recreational establishments: 19.6 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 30,754

• Boston, Massachusetts

  Median home value: $610,400
  Median household income: $81,744
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.8%
  Recreational establishments: 31.2 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 672,814

• Hingham, Massachusetts

  Median home value: $1,020,600
  Median household income: $206,384
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 91.5%
  Recreational establishments: 59.4 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 5,557

• Merion Station, Pennsylvania

  Median home value: $693,800
  Median household income: $233,340
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 96.4%
  Recreational establishments: 38.7 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 5,369

• Westfield, New Jersey

  Median home value: $810,400
  Median household income: $185,319
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.8%
  Recreational establishments: 16.4 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 30,950

• Chatham, New Jersey

  Median home value: $827,900
  Median household income: $209,283
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.5%
  Recreational establishments: 33.1 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 9,208

• Laie, Hawaii

  Median home value: $937,000
  Median household income: $101,011
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.3%
  Recreational establishments: 33.4 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 6,436

• Aspen, Colorado

  Median home value: N/A
  Median household income: $89,625
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 94.6%
  Recreational establishments: N/A
  Total population: 7,019

• Ridgewood, New Jersey

  Median home value: $789,900
  Median household income: $194,256
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.5%
  Recreational establishments: 9.5 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 25,991

• Paradise Valley, Arizona

  Median home value: $1,778,000
  Median household income: $203,659
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 92.7%
  Recreational establishments: 25.6 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 12,666

• Bainbridge Island, Washington

  Median home value: $852,700
  Median household income: $145,475
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 86.8%
  Recreational establishments: 43.8 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 24,557

• Garden City, New York

  Median home value: $881,200
  Median household income: $185,188
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.2%
  Recreational establishments: 30.1 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 23,087

• Arlington, Virginia

  Median home value: $755,800
  Median household income: $128,145
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 100.0%
  Recreational establishments: 19.0 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 235,764

• Coronado, California

  Median home value: $1,656,900
  Median household income: $114,559
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.7%
  Recreational establishments: 25.7 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 20,627

• La Cañada Flintridge, California

  Median home value: $1,671,400
  Median household income: $187,384
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.9%
  Recreational establishments: 22.1 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 20,613

• Lake Forest, Illinois

  Median home value: $812,900
  Median household income: $194,267
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.8%
  Recreational establishments: 40.8 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 19,450

• New York, New York

  Median home value: $660,700
  Median household income: $70,663
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.9%
  Recreational establishments: 14.4 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 8,736,047

• Berkeley, California

  Median home value: $1,111,000
  Median household income: $97,834
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.4%
  Recreational establishments: 26.3 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 119,607

• Cambridge, Massachusetts

  Median home value: $888,000
  Median household income: $112,565
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.1%
  Recreational establishments: 27.8 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 116,892

• Chevy Chase, Maryland

  Median home value: $999,200
  Median household income: $207,971
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.8%
  Recreational establishments: 21.8 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 9,889

• Hinsdale, Illinois

  Median home value: $880,100
  Median household income: $224,185
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.7%
  Recreational establishments: 18.8 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 17,148

• Upper Montclair, New Jersey

  Median home value: $797,400
  Median household income: $235,637
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.7%
  Recreational establishments: 21.4 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 12,033

• Princeton, New Jersey

  Median home value: $893,600
  Median household income: $165,149
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.4%
  Recreational establishments: 22.7 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 30,717

• Falls Church, Virginia

  Median home value: $838,300
  Median household income: $155,071
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 100.0%
  Recreational establishments: 0.0 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 14,494

• Glencoe, Illinois

  Median home value: $1,101,200
  Median household income: $212,132
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.3%
  Recreational establishments: 24.6 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 8,824

• Mountain View, California

  Median home value: $1,613,300
  Median household income: $158,104
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.5%
  Recreational establishments: 21.9 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 82,409

• McLean, Virginia

  Median home value: $1,102,100
  Median household income: $242,610
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.7%
  Recreational establishments: 14.8 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 49,310

• Mercer Island, Washington

  Median home value: $1,504,500
  Median household income: $170,000
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.0%
  Recreational establishments: 30.4 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 25,506

• Hoboken, New Jersey

  Median home value: $777,600
  Median household income: $160,890
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 100.0%
  Recreational establishments: 14.4 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 59,369

• Rumson, New Jersey

  Median home value: $1,309,200
  Median household income: $239,188
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 96.0%
  Recreational establishments: 42.9 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 7,292

• Wellesley, Massachusetts

  Median home value: $1,251,800
  Median household income: $226,250
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 94.7%
  Recreational establishments: 31.6 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 29,365

• University Park, Texas

  Median home value: $1,380,600
  Median household income: $247,045
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 96.7%
  Recreational establishments: 20.4 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 25,029

• Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, California

  Median home value: $1,450,000
  Median household income: $220,875
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.5%
  Recreational establishments: 50.0 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 12,535

• San Carlos, California

  Median home value: $1,904,400
  Median household income: $204,570
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.5%
  Recreational establishments: 17.3 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 30,754

• San Francisco, California

  Median home value: $1,194,500
  Median household income: $126,187
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 100.0%
  Recreational establishments: 41.1 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 865,933

• Old Greenwich, Connecticut

  Median home value: $1,444,800
  Median household income: $234,152
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.5%
  Recreational establishments: 57.2 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 6,929

• Rye, New York

  Median home value: $1,529,400
  Median household income: $207,930
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.6%
  Recreational establishments: 42.6 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 16,459

• Orinda, California

  Median home value: $1,538,400
  Median household income: $248,984
  Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.2%
  Recreational establishments: 27.0 per 10,000 businesses
  Total population: 19,497

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