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 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | Mishawaka, IN | 50,842 (2023) | $216,965 (2026) | $51,543 (2022) | 21.5 min | Moderate | 44 | 87 | D+1.5 | 78 | C+ |
| 202 | Painesville, OH | 20,605 (2023) | $231,205 (2026) | $51,373 (2022) | 21.6 min | Moderate-Low | 37 | 88 | R+14.3 | 78 | C+ |
| 203 | Pearl, MS | 28,117 (2023) | $211,159 (2026) | $56,838 (2022) | 25.1 min | Moderate-Low | 18 | 90 | R+47.1 | 78 | C+ |
| 204 | Warren, MI | 136,655 (2023) | $202,927 (2026) | $61,633 (2022) | 25.9 min | Moderate-High | 44 | 93 | R+13.7 | 78 | C+ |
| 205 | Wausau, WI | 39,968 (2023) | $253,426 (2026) | $59,259 (2022) | 15.1 min | Moderate | 43 | 90 | R+18.7 | 78 | C+ |
| 206 | Yukon, OK | 26,388 (2023) | $276,382 (2026) | $75,865 (2022) | 21.9 min | Moderate-Low | 34 | 93 | R+40.4 | 78 | C+ |
| 207 | Big Spring, TX | 22,373 (2023) | $147,462 (2026) | $65,418 (2022) | 19.8 min | High | 21 | 88 | R+62.8 | 77.9 | C+ |
| 208 | Erie, PA | 92,957 (2023) | $208,273 (2026) | $43,135 (2022) | 18.2 min | Moderate-High | 60 | 86 | R+1.0 | 77.9 | C+ |
| 209 | Fargo, ND | 129,798 (2024) | $326,637 (2026) | $62,891 (2023) | 16.8 min | Low | 46 | 94 | R+8.4 | 77.9 | C+ |
| 210 | Onalaska, WI | 19,018 (2023) | $372,566 (2026) | $80,296 (2022) | 17.6 min | Very Low | 28 | 102 | D+9.4 | 77.9 | C+ |
| 211 | Rocky River, OH | 21,236 (2023) | $408,262 (2026) | $90,459 (2022) | 22.3 min | Very Low | 44 | 106 | D+31.5 | 77.9 | C+ |
| 212 | Socorro, TX | 38,238 (2023) | $209,849 (2026) | $47,649 (2022) | 27.1 min | Low | 20 | 87 | D+15.1 | 77.9 | C+ |
| 213 | Anderson, IN | 55,199 (2023) | $137,016 (2026) | $44,974 (2022) | 25.5 min | Moderate-High | 34 | 84 | R+26.9 | 77.8 | C+ |
| 214 | Champaign, IL | 89,189 (2023) | $240,516 (2026) | $58,273 (2022) | 14.8 min | Moderate-High | 52 | 98 | D+24.1 | 77.8 | C+ |
| 215 | East Chicago, IN | 25,830 (2023) | $129,375 (2026) | $39,434 (2022) | 22.9 min | High | 56 | 82 | D+5.6 | 77.8 | C+ |
| 216 | Montgomery, AL | 195,287 (2023) | $152,082 (2026) | $54,166 (2022) | 19.9 min | High | 26 | 89 | D+30.7 | 77.8 | C+ |
| 217 | Radcliff, KY | 22,749 (2023) | $213,512 (2026) | $54,558 (2022) | 23.7 min | Moderate-Low | 19 | 90 | R+29.3 | 77.8 | C+ |
| 218 | Shawnee, OK | 31,803 (2023) | $178,811 (2026) | $50,695 (2022) | 20.6 min | Moderate-High | 35 | 87 | R+47.4 | 77.8 | C+ |
| 219 | Toledo, OH | 265,304 (2023) | $134,048 (2026) | $45,405 (2022) | 19.9 min | Very High | 46 | 83 | D+12.6 | 77.8 | C+ |
| 220 | Brookings, SD | 24,312 (2023) | $327,724 (2026) | $57,824 (2022) | 12.6 min | Low | 39 | 97 | R+17.4 | 77.7 | C+ |
| 221 | Elyria, OH | 53,117 (2023) | $190,886 (2026) | $49,569 (2022) | 22.8 min | Moderate | 29 | 86 | R+5.7 | 77.7 | C+ |
| 222 | Flint, MI | 79,661 (2023) | $67,030 (2026) | $35,451 (2022) | 22.2 min | Very High | 44 | 77 | D+4.2 | 77.7 | C+ |
| 223 | Mount Prospect, IL | 54,298 (2023) | $455,313 (2026) | $100,526 (2022) | 28.3 min | Low | 87 | 119 | D+42.0 | 77.7 | C+ |
| 224 | Port Arthur, TX | 55,547 (2023) | $125,021 (2026) | $45,357 (2022) | 23 min | High | 33 | 85 | R+8.9 | 77.7 | C+ |
| 225 | Utica, NY | 63,607 (2023) | $212,600 (2026) | $48,212 (2022) | 18.1 min | Moderate-High | 54 | 96 | R+21.3 | 77.7 | C+ |
| 226 | Ankeny, IA | 74,458 (2023) | $341,196 (2026) | $101,151 (2022) | 21.1 min | Moderate-Low | 34 | 105 | D+10.9 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 227 | Appleton, WI | 74,719 (2023) | $309,058 (2026) | $75,469 (2022) | 19.4 min | Moderate-Low | 44 | 94 | R+10.2 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 228 | Bloomington, IL | 78,587 (2023) | $272,368 (2026) | $73,119 (2022) | 16.3 min | Moderate | 35 | 97 | D+4.9 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 229 | Buffalo Grove, IL | 42,482 (2023) | $452,107 (2026) | $127,553 (2022) | 28.8 min | Very Low | 40 | 126 | D+20.8 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 230 | Frankfort, KY | 28,285 (2023) | $248,111 (2026) | $53,905 (2022) | 17.2 min | Moderate-Low | 29 | 90 | R+4.8 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 231 | Hays, KS | 21,040 (2023) | $257,712 (2026) | $55,349 (2022) | 11.8 min | Moderate | 39 | 95 | R+46.1 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 232 | Kankakee, IL | 23,503 (2023) | $159,724 (2026) | $42,180 (2022) | 22.5 min | Moderate-High | 48 | 88 | R+20.8 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 233 | Lake Jackson, TX | 27,768 (2023) | $273,775 (2026) | $89,215 (2022) | 20.4 min | Moderate | 24 | 103 | R+19.7 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 234 | Shelbyville, IN | 20,609 (2023) | $226,906 (2026) | $55,850 (2022) | 21.3 min | Moderate | 40 | 87 | R+48.0 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 235 | Sulphur, LA | 20,400 (2023) | $203,049 (2026) | $53,606 (2022) | 17.2 min | Moderate-High | 30 | 93 | R+39.6 | 77.6 | C+ |
| 236 | Abilene, TX | 129,043 (2023) | $222,710 (2026) | $59,254 (2022) | 15.2 min | Moderate-High | 31 | 93 | R+49.8 | 77.5 | C+ |
| 237 | Auburn, NY | 25,983 (2023) | $229,007 (2026) | $48,203 (2022) | 19.9 min | Moderate | 52 | 96 | R+13.0 | 77.5 | C+ |
| 238 | Binghamton, NY | 46,727 (2023) | $193,367 (2026) | $42,031 (2022) | 19.3 min | Moderate-High | 55 | 94 | Even | 77.5 | C+ |
| 239 | Brandon, MS | 25,719 (2023) | $291,089 (2026) | $89,051 (2022) | 25.6 min | Low | 11 | 98 | R+47.1 | 77.5 | C+ |
| 240 | Cleveland, OH | 367,991 (2024) | $116,759 (2026) | $35,562 (2023) | 24.2 min | High | 57 | 83 | D+31.5 | 77.5 | C+ |
| 241 | Franklin, IN | 25,908 (2023) | $286,166 (2026) | $72,344 (2022) | 24.2 min | Low | 27 | 94 | R+34.3 | 77.5 | C+ |
| 242 | Massillon, OH | 32,439 (2023) | $222,038 (2026) | $53,699 (2022) | 21.8 min | Moderate | 40 | 87 | R+21.9 | 77.5 | C+ |
| 243 | Odessa, TX | 115,743 (2023) | $253,740 (2026) | $71,293 (2022) | 23 min | Moderate | 42 | 98 | R+52.9 | 77.5 | C+ |
| 244 | Beloit, WI | 36,342 (2023) | $211,287 (2026) | $57,168 (2022) | 22.2 min | Moderate-High | 42 | 87 | D+7.3 | 77.4 | C+ |
| 245 | Corsicana, TX | 25,671 (2023) | $180,790 (2026) | $49,353 (2022) | 20.6 min | Moderate-High | 34 | 87 | R+51.8 | 77.4 | C+ |
| 246 | Cottage Grove, MN | 42,056 (2023) | $402,376 (2026) | $117,673 (2022) | 25.3 min | Very Low | 16 | 114 | D+8.9 | 77.4 | C+ |
| 247 | Covington, KY | 40,972 (2023) | $222,725 (2026) | $53,770 (2022) | 22.8 min | Moderate | 42 | 87 | R+21.7 | 77.4 | C+ |
| 248 | Marion, OH | 35,531 (2023) | $169,702 (2026) | $44,879 (2022) | 20.1 min | Moderate-High | 37 | 83 | R+41.4 | 77.4 | C+ |
| 249 | Orange, TX | 19,108 (2023) | $184,568 (2026) | $58,756 (2022) | 23.4 min | Moderate-High | 24 | 88 | R+66.7 | 77.4 | C+ |
| 250 | Owasso, OK | 41,162 (2023) | $320,140 (2026) | $79,183 (2022) | 21.1 min | Low | 28 | 98 | R+15.2 | 77.4 | 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
201 Mishawaka, IN
Indiana community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$216,965
Population
50,842
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
44
202 Painesville, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$231,205
Population
20,605
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
37
203 Pearl, MS
Small Mississippi city with local appeal
Median Home
$211,159
Population
28,117
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
18
204 Warren, MI
Mid-size Michigan city with community character
Median Home
$202,927
Population
136,655
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
44
205 Wausau, WI
Small Wisconsin city with local appeal
Median Home
$253,426
Population
39,968
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
43
206 Yukon, OK
Small Oklahoma city with local appeal
Median Home
$276,382
Population
26,388
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
207 Big Spring, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$147,462
Population
22,373
Crime
High
Walk Score
21
208 Erie, PA
Pennsylvania community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$208,273
Population
92,957
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
60
209 Fargo, ND
Northern Plains energy
Median Home
$326,637
Population
129,798
Crime
Low
Schools
B
210 Onalaska, WI
Small Wisconsin city with local appeal
Median Home
$372,566
Population
19,018
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
28
211 Rocky River, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$408,262
Population
21,236
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
44
212 Socorro, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$209,849
Population
38,238
Crime
Low
Walk Score
20
213 Anderson, IN
Indiana community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$137,016
Population
55,199
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
34
214 Champaign, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$240,516
Population
89,189
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
52
215 East Chicago, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$129,375
Population
25,830
Crime
High
Walk Score
56
216 Montgomery, AL
Mid-size Alabama city with community character
Median Home
$152,082
Population
195,287
Crime
High
Walk Score
26
Radcliff, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$213,512
Population
22,749
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
19
218 Shawnee, OK
Small Oklahoma city with local appeal
Median Home
$178,811
Population
31,803
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
219 Toledo, OH
Growing Ohio city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$134,048
Population
265,304
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
46
220 Brookings, SD
Small South Dakota city with local appeal
Median Home
$327,724
Population
24,312
Crime
Low
Walk Score
39
221 Elyria, OH
Ohio community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$190,886
Population
53,117
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
29
222 Flint, MI
Michigan community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$67,030
Population
79,661
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
44
223 Mount Prospect, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$455,313
Population
54,298
Crime
Low
Walk Score
87
224 Port Arthur, TX
Texas community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$125,021
Population
55,547
Crime
High
Walk Score
33
225 Utica, NY
New York community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$212,600
Population
63,607
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
54
226 Ankeny, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$341,196
Population
74,458
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
227 Appleton, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$309,058
Population
74,719
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
228 Bloomington, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$272,368
Population
78,587
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
35
229 Buffalo Grove, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$452,107
Population
42,482
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
230 Frankfort, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$248,111
Population
28,285
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
231 Hays, KS
Small Kansas city with local appeal
Median Home
$257,712
Population
21,040
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
39
232 Kankakee, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$159,724
Population
23,503
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
233 Lake Jackson, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$273,775
Population
27,768
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
24
234 Shelbyville, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$226,906
Population
20,609
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
235 Sulphur, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$203,049
Population
20,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
30
236 Abilene, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$222,710
Population
129,043
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
31
237 Auburn, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,007
Population
25,983
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
52
238 Binghamton, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Median Home
$193,367
Population
46,727
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
239 Brandon, MS
Small Mississippi city with local appeal
Median Home
$291,089
Population
25,719
Crime
Low
Walk Score
11
240 Cleveland, OH
Rust Belt renaissance on Lake Erie
Median Home
$116,759
Population
367,991
Crime
High
Schools
C-
241 Franklin, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$286,166
Population
25,908
Crime
Low
Walk Score
27
242 Massillon, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$222,038
Population
32,439
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
243 Odessa, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$253,740
Population
115,743
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
42
244 Beloit, WI
Small Wisconsin city with local appeal
Median Home
$211,287
Population
36,342
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Corsicana, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$180,790
Population
25,671
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
34
246 Cottage Grove, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$402,376
Population
42,056
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
16
247 Covington, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$222,725
Population
40,972
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
42
248 Marion, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$169,702
Population
35,531
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
37
249 Orange, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$184,568
Population
19,108
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
24
250 Owasso, OK
Small Oklahoma city with local appeal
Median Home
$320,140
Population
41,162
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28