Best Places to Live in the U.S.
Our data-driven rankings analyze housing affordability, safety, commute times, walkability, and purchasing power using transparent, citable public data sources.
WhereAtHome Score Methodology
Transparent, weighted composite of available public data. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled. Learn more
Rankings — Page 2 of 40
Click any city name to view detailed profile and score breakdown
| # | City | Pop. | Home Value | Income | Commute | Crime | Walk | CoL | Lean | Score ▼ | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | North Augusta, SC | 25,891 (2023) | $283,302 (2026) | $85,093 (2022) | 22.3 min | Very Low | 21 | 98 | R+25.9 | 81.1 | B- |
| 52 | Salina, KS | 45,792 (2023) | $178,837 (2026) | $56,945 (2022) | 14.2 min | Moderate-High | 39 | 90 | R+31.6 | 81.1 | B- |
| 53 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 135,958 (2023) | $214,766 (2026) | $66,895 (2022) | 17.8 min | Moderate | 34 | 91 | D+9.9 | 81 | B- |
| 54 | Enid, OK | 50,577 (2023) | $137,309 (2026) | $60,790 (2022) | 17.7 min | Moderate-High | 30 | 88 | R+53.8 | 81 | B- |
| 55 | Oregon, OH | 19,711 (2023) | $232,413 (2026) | $73,883 (2022) | 18.8 min | Moderate-Low | 23 | 89 | D+12.6 | 81 | B- |
| 56 | Parkersburg, WV | 29,025 (2023) | $150,256 (2026) | $41,921 (2022) | 18.1 min | Moderate | 46 | 82 | R+43.0 | 81 | B- |
| 57 | Urbana, IL | 38,209 (2023) | $209,974 (2026) | $41,115 (2022) | 14.6 min | Moderate-High | 91 | 95 | D+24.1 | 81 | B- |
| 58 | Athens, OH | 24,673 (2023) | $250,164 (2026) | $34,493 (2022) | 16.2 min | Low | 78 | 96 | D+10.8 | 80.9 | B- |
| 59 | Del Rio, TX | 34,574 (2023) | $208,595 (2026) | $57,072 (2022) | 20 min | Moderate-Low | 32 | 88 | R+26.6 | 80.9 | B- |
| 60 | Hastings, NE | 24,896 (2023) | $208,685 (2026) | $57,554 (2022) | 15.7 min | Moderate | 38 | 89 | R+41.6 | 80.9 | B- |
| 61 | Des Moines, IA | 214,133 (2024) | $212,006 (2026) | $60,509 (2023) | 19.2 min | Moderate | 45 | 88 | D+10.9 | 80.8 | B- |
| 62 | Evergreen Park, IL | 19,010 (2023) | $294,044 (2026) | $92,266 (2022) | 31.7 min | Low | 64 | 105 | D+42.0 | 80.8 | B- |
| 63 | Marion, IA | 42,213 (2023) | $281,229 (2026) | $81,519 (2022) | 19.2 min | Low | 32 | 94 | D+9.9 | 80.8 | B- |
| 64 | Plainview, TX | 19,420 (2023) | $120,278 (2026) | $46,274 (2022) | 17.8 min | Moderate-High | 31 | 85 | R+58.0 | 80.8 | B- |
| 65 | Scranton, PA | 75,805 (2023) | $194,124 (2026) | $48,776 (2022) | 19.6 min | Moderate | 58 | 90 | D+2.8 | 80.8 | B- |
| 66 | Quincy, IL | 38,803 (2023) | $183,694 (2026) | $54,199 (2022) | 13.4 min | Moderate-High | 41 | 89 | R+47.4 | 80.7 | B- |
| 67 | Sandusky, OH | 24,241 (2023) | $153,976 (2026) | $47,375 (2022) | 17.8 min | Moderate-High | 50 | 83 | R+14.2 | 80.7 | B- |
| 68 | Barberton, OH | 24,563 (2023) | $158,581 (2026) | $49,289 (2022) | 22.7 min | Moderate | 42 | 83 | D+7.0 | 80.6 | B- |
| 69 | Brownwood, TX | 18,790 (2023) | $172,876 (2026) | $45,412 (2022) | 13.2 min | Moderate | 32 | 87 | R+73.9 | 80.6 | B- |
| 70 | Charleston, WV | 46,838 (2023) | $166,520 (2026) | $58,902 (2022) | 18.4 min | Moderate-High | 33 | 92 | R+17.4 | 80.6 | B- |
| 71 | Horn Lake, MS | 26,468 (2023) | $203,546 (2026) | $57,111 (2022) | 25.9 min | Low | 21 | 90 | R+24.1 | 80.5 | B- |
| 72 | Oxford, AL | 22,078 (2023) | $198,245 (2026) | $66,031 (2022) | 22.6 min | Moderate-Low | 10 | 91 | R+44.8 | 80.5 | B- |
| 73 | Pekin, IL | 31,126 (2023) | $145,264 (2026) | $52,507 (2022) | 21.8 min | Moderate-High | 39 | 88 | R+26.7 | 80.5 | B- |
| 74 | Round Lake Beach, IL | 26,783 (2023) | $261,065 (2026) | $83,293 (2022) | 30.8 min | Low | 45 | 98 | D+20.8 | 80.5 | B- |
| 75 | Willoughby, OH | 24,163 (2023) | $249,498 (2026) | $70,807 (2022) | 22.4 min | Low | 30 | 95 | R+14.3 | 80.5 | B- |
| 76 | El Reno, OK | 19,216 (2023) | $185,902 (2026) | $49,988 (2022) | 20.7 min | Moderate-Low | 29 | 88 | R+40.4 | 80.4 | B- |
| 77 | Garfield Heights, OH | 28,900 (2023) | $138,742 (2026) | $49,864 (2022) | 23.5 min | Moderate-High | 44 | 83 | D+31.5 | 80.4 | B- |
| 78 | Highland, IN | 23,525 (2023) | $270,414 (2026) | $74,991 (2022) | 25.3 min | Low | 48 | 96 | D+5.6 | 80.4 | B- |
| 79 | Perrysburg, OH | 25,236 (2023) | $340,626 (2026) | $98,419 (2022) | 19.9 min | Very Low | 25 | 103 | R+10.2 | 80.4 | B- |
| 80 | San Angelo, TX | 99,262 (2023) | $214,811 (2026) | $65,040 (2022) | 17.7 min | Moderate | 32 | 94 | R+48.0 | 80.4 | B- |
| 81 | South Holland, IL | 20,483 (2023) | $231,726 (2026) | $79,567 (2022) | 34.2 min | Moderate | 73 | 101 | D+42.0 | 80.4 | B- |
| 82 | Deer Park, TX | 33,176 (2023) | $281,493 (2026) | $89,219 (2022) | 24.8 min | Low | 33 | 102 | D+5.5 | 80.3 | B- |
| 83 | Maple Heights, OH | 22,984 (2023) | $135,790 (2026) | $49,877 (2022) | 22.8 min | Moderate-High | 40 | 85 | D+31.5 | 80.3 | B- |
| 84 | Midwest City, OK | 58,086 (2023) | $170,509 (2026) | $56,811 (2022) | 22.6 min | Moderate | 29 | 88 | R+1.7 | 80.3 | B- |
| 85 | Urbandale, IA | 46,729 (2023) | $354,918 (2026) | $111,888 (2022) | 19 min | Low | 32 | 106 | D+10.9 | 80.3 | B- |
| 86 | Williamsport, PA | 27,470 (2023) | $211,327 (2026) | $48,388 (2022) | 16.6 min | Moderate | 55 | 90 | R+41.5 | 80.3 | B- |
| 87 | Florissant, MO | 51,128 (2023) | $196,718 (2026) | $64,178 (2022) | 26 min | Moderate | 39 | 89 | D+23.4 | 80.2 | B- |
| 88 | Garden City, MI | 26,325 (2023) | $207,556 (2026) | $63,630 (2022) | 26.7 min | Moderate | 50 | 91 | D+29.0 | 80.2 | B- |
| 89 | Midland, MI | 42,663 (2023) | $259,992 (2026) | $71,809 (2022) | 21.1 min | Low | 30 | 94 | R+15.2 | 80.2 | B- |
| 90 | Pascagoula, MS | 21,582 (2023) | $142,299 (2026) | $41,679 (2022) | 18.3 min | Moderate | 33 | 88 | R+39.9 | 80.2 | B- |
| 91 | Sidney, OH | 20,309 (2023) | $219,162 (2026) | $63,851 (2022) | 16.7 min | Moderate | 32 | 87 | R+64.8 | 80.2 | B- |
| 92 | Watauga, TX | 22,934 (2023) | $276,575 (2026) | $88,775 (2022) | 28.7 min | Low | 40 | 101 | R+5.1 | 80.2 | B- |
| 93 | St. Clair Shores, MI | 57,548 (2023) | $236,247 (2026) | $71,481 (2022) | 27.2 min | Moderate-Low | 47 | 94 | R+13.7 | 80.1 | B- |
| 94 | Augusta, GA | 205,414 (2023) | $188,454 (2026) | $50,605 (2022) | 21.4 min | Moderate-High | 68 | 92 | R+25.6 | 80 | B- |
| 95 | Chillicothe, OH | 21,895 (2023) | $208,000 (2026) | $50,839 (2022) | 22 min | Moderate-Low | 40 | 88 | R+39.3 | 80 | B- |
| 96 | Erlanger, KY | 19,777 (2023) | $255,011 (2026) | $74,147 (2022) | 21.5 min | Low | 21 | 91 | R+21.7 | 80 | B- |
| 97 | Marshall, TX | 24,118 (2023) | $166,238 (2026) | $49,162 (2022) | 16.6 min | Moderate | 23 | 89 | R+50.6 | 80 | B- |
| 98 | Piqua, OH | 20,747 (2023) | $183,917 (2026) | $55,379 (2022) | 17.6 min | Moderate-High | 42 | 85 | R+45.1 | 80 | B- |
| 99 | Bay City, MI | 32,082 (2023) | $126,569 (2026) | $45,026 (2022) | 21.4 min | High | 54 | 82 | R+14.7 | 79.9 | C+ |
| 100 | Madison Heights, MI | 28,238 (2023) | $222,737 (2026) | $63,224 (2022) | 24 min | Moderate | 57 | 93 | D+10.6 | 79.9 | C+ |
Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Zillow Home Value Index, FBI Crime Data Explorer, WalkScore.com, Niche.com, MIT Election Data + Science Lab (county-level 2024 presidential results)
Note: Population and income data reflect latest ACS estimates (2024). Home values reflect 2026 market data. Available crime and walkability observations are current as of 2026. Coverage varies by city; an em dash (—) means data is pending. Lean is the city's county 2024 presidential margin (R+ or D+), shown for context only — it is not part of the WhereAtHome Score.
Detailed City Profiles
51 North Augusta, SC
Small South Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$283,302
Population
25,891
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
21
52 Salina, KS
Small Kansas city with local appeal
Median Home
$178,837
Population
45,792
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
39
53 Cedar Rapids, IA
Mid-size Iowa city with community character
Median Home
$214,766
Population
135,958
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
34
54 Enid, OK
Oklahoma community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$137,309
Population
50,577
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
30
55 Oregon, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$232,413
Population
19,711
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
23
56 Parkersburg, WV
Small West Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$150,256
Population
29,025
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
46
57 Urbana, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$209,974
Population
38,209
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
91
58 Athens, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$250,164
Population
24,673
Crime
Low
Walk Score
78
59 Del Rio, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$208,595
Population
34,574
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
32
60 Hastings, NE
Small Nebraska city with local appeal
Median Home
$208,685
Population
24,896
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
38
61 Des Moines, IA
Insurance capital with surprising vibrancy
Median Home
$212,006
Population
214,133
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
62 Evergreen Park, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$294,044
Population
19,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
64
63 Marion, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$281,229
Population
42,213
Crime
Low
Walk Score
32
64 Plainview, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$120,278
Population
19,420
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
31
65 Scranton, PA
Pennsylvania community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$194,124
Population
75,805
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
58
66 Quincy, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$183,694
Population
38,803
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
41
67 Sandusky, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$153,976
Population
24,241
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
50
68 Barberton, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$158,581
Population
24,563
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
42
69 Brownwood, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$172,876
Population
18,790
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
32
70 Charleston, WV
Small West Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$166,520
Population
46,838
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
33
71 Horn Lake, MS
Small Mississippi city with local appeal
Median Home
$203,546
Population
26,468
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
72 Oxford, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$198,245
Population
22,078
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
10
73 Pekin, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$145,264
Population
31,126
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
39
74 Round Lake Beach, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$261,065
Population
26,783
Crime
Low
Walk Score
45
75 Willoughby, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$249,498
Population
24,163
Crime
Low
Walk Score
30
76 El Reno, OK
Small Oklahoma city with local appeal
Median Home
$185,902
Population
19,216
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
77 Garfield Heights, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$138,742
Population
28,900
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
44
Highland, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$270,414
Population
23,525
Crime
Low
Walk Score
48
79 Perrysburg, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$340,626
Population
25,236
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
25
80 San Angelo, TX
Texas community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$214,811
Population
99,262
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
32
81 South Holland, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$231,726
Population
20,483
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
73
82 Deer Park, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$281,493
Population
33,176
Crime
Low
Walk Score
33
83 Maple Heights, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$135,790
Population
22,984
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
40
Midwest City, OK
Oklahoma community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$170,509
Population
58,086
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
29
85 Urbandale, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$354,918
Population
46,729
Crime
Low
Walk Score
32
86 Williamsport, PA
Small Pennsylvania city with local appeal
Median Home
$211,327
Population
27,470
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
55
87 Florissant, MO
Missouri community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$196,718
Population
51,128
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
39
88 Garden City, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$207,556
Population
26,325
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
50
89 Midland, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$259,992
Population
42,663
Crime
Low
Walk Score
30
90 Pascagoula, MS
Small Mississippi city with local appeal
Median Home
$142,299
Population
21,582
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
91 Sidney, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$219,162
Population
20,309
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
32
92 Watauga, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$276,575
Population
22,934
Crime
Low
Walk Score
40
93 St. Clair Shores, MI
Michigan community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$236,247
Population
57,548
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
47
94 Augusta, GA
Growing Georgia city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$188,454
Population
205,414
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
68
95 Chillicothe, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$208,000
Population
21,895
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
40
96 Erlanger, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$255,011
Population
19,777
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Marshall, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$166,238
Population
24,118
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
23
98 Piqua, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$183,917
Population
20,747
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
99 Bay City, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$126,569
Population
32,082
Crime
High
Walk Score
54
100 Madison Heights, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$222,737
Population
28,238
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57