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 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acworth, GA | 22,379 (2023) | $412,338 (2026) | $74,643 (2022) | 30.4 min | Very Low | 26 | 104 | D+14.9 | 72.4 | C- |
| 2 | Arlington Heights, IL | 74,495 (2023) | $500,757 (2026) | $113,502 (2022) | 27.8 min | Very Low | 48 | 124 | D+42.0 | 76 | C |
| 3 | Avon Lake, OH | 25,942 (2023) | $432,538 (2026) | $103,946 (2022) | 28.3 min | Very Low | 24 | 109 | R+5.7 | 75 | C |
| 4 | Bainbridge Island, WA | 24,254 (2023) | $1,200,693 (2026) | $151,290 (2022) | 38.3 min | Very Low | 19 | 185 | D+20.9 | 64.2 | D |
| 5 | Bartlett, IL | 39,992 (2023) | $447,342 (2026) | $126,555 (2022) | 30.8 min | Very Low | 22 | 119 | D+13.3 | 75.6 | C |
| 6 | Bellevue, WA | 154,331 (2024) | $1,451,887 (2026) | $145,892 (2023) | 26.4 min | Very Low | 55 | 175 | D+51.7 | 69.5 | D+ |
| 7 | Bergenfield, NJ | 28,274 (2023) | $651,416 (2026) | $121,738 (2022) | 33.8 min | Very Low | 63 | 133 | D+3.4 | 73.3 | C |
| 8 | Broadview Heights, OH | 19,634 (2023) | $376,901 (2026) | $97,902 (2022) | 27.5 min | Very Low | 10 | 103 | D+31.5 | 75.4 | C |
| 9 | 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+ |
| 10 | Camas, WA | 27,254 (2023) | $750,827 (2026) | $133,829 (2022) | 27 min | Very Low | 18 | 140 | D+7.0 | 70.5 | C- |
| 11 | Carmel, IN | 104,776 (2024) | $580,014 (2026) | $121,400 (2023) | 23.5 min | Very Low | 28 | 108 | R+6.1 | 74.5 | C |
| 12 | Castle Rock, CO | 81,415 (2023) | $666,242 (2026) | $135,985 (2022) | 29.3 min | Very Low | 11 | 141 | R+7.0 | 70.5 | C- |
| 13 | Centerville, OH | 25,754 (2023) | $391,980 (2026) | $79,509 (2022) | 21.4 min | Very Low | 30 | 98 | Even | 76.4 | C |
| 14 | Colleyville, TX | 25,736 (2023) | $919,474 (2026) | $196,298 (2022) | 24.3 min | Very Low | 17 | 153 | R+5.1 | 71.8 | C- |
| 15 | Columbus, IN | 51,522 (2023) | $281,533 (2026) | $75,114 (2022) | 18.1 min | Very Low | 29 | 96 | R+27.3 | 81.7 | B- |
| 16 | Corinth, TX | 23,707 (2023) | $412,999 (2026) | $116,083 (2022) | 26.4 min | Very Low | 11 | 113 | R+13.2 | 76.1 | C |
| 17 | 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+ |
| 18 | Darien, IL | 21,698 (2023) | $463,450 (2026) | $110,546 (2022) | 29.7 min | Very Low | 35 | 122 | D+13.3 | 75.1 | C |
| 19 | Deerfield, IL | 18,884 (2023) | $662,331 (2026) | $185,762 (2022) | 28.1 min | Very Low | 36 | 146 | D+20.8 | 75.8 | C |
| 20 | Dover, NH | 33,485 (2023) | $548,206 (2026) | $90,844 (2022) | 23.1 min | Very Low | 33 | 116 | D+12.1 | 73.1 | C |
| 21 | Edwardsville, IL | 26,698 (2023) | $333,548 (2026) | $87,094 (2022) | 24.1 min | Very Low | 31 | 106 | R+13.3 | 78.8 | C+ |
| 22 | Erie, CO | 35,269 (2023) | $724,400 (2026) | $154,509 (2022) | 27.4 min | Very Low | 13 | 153 | D+55.8 | 71.3 | C- |
| 23 | Fair Lawn, NJ | 35,564 (2023) | $739,017 (2026) | $141,540 (2022) | 33.5 min | Very Low | 60 | 144 | D+3.4 | 73.1 | C |
| 24 | Fishers, IN | 103,842 (2024) | $449,366 (2026) | $115,126 (2023) | 24.8 min | Very Low | 22 | 101 | R+6.1 | 76.4 | C |
| 25 | Fort Mill, SC | 33,626 (2023) | $529,805 (2026) | $128,125 (2022) | 27 min | Very Low | — | 115 | R+19.1 | 72.6 | C- |
| 26 | Frankfort, IL | 20,907 (2023) | $502,643 (2026) | $157,615 (2022) | 34.9 min | Very Low | 19 | 129 | D+1.6 | 75 | C |
| 27 | Franklin, WI | 35,485 (2023) | $447,838 (2026) | $100,524 (2022) | 25.4 min | Very Low | 17 | 110 | D+38.5 | 74.3 | C |
| 28 | Fremont, CA | 230,504 (2024) | $1,471,931 (2026) | $155,342 (2023) | 32.4 min | Very Low | 42 | 185 | D+53.6 | 66.8 | D |
| 29 | Frisco, TX | 219,587 (2024) | $649,173 (2026) | $134,891 (2023) | 29.4 min | Very Low | 26 | 118 | R+11.2 | 72.4 | C- |
| 30 | Gilbert, AZ | 275,411 (2024) | $570,915 (2026) | $105,842 (2023) | 27.8 min | Very Low | 28 | 112 | R+3.5 | 72.3 | C- |
| 31 | Glen Ellyn, IL | 28,347 (2023) | $584,435 (2026) | $128,132 (2022) | 30.1 min | Very Low | 50 | 136 | D+13.3 | 74.7 | C |
| 32 | Hawthorne, NJ | 19,496 (2023) | $651,326 (2026) | $105,168 (2022) | 25.8 min | Very Low | 54 | 140 | R+2.9 | 73.4 | C |
| 33 | Henderson, NV | 330,891 (2024) | $485,484 (2026) | $83,567 (2023) | 26.2 min | Very Low | 30 | 108 | D+2.6 | 72.8 | C- |
| 34 | Highland Park, IL | 30,272 (2023) | $802,430 (2026) | $159,567 (2022) | 28.8 min | Very Low | 42 | 146 | D+20.8 | 72.8 | C- |
| 35 | Holly Springs, GA | 19,540 (2023) | $435,387 (2026) | $108,332 (2022) | 35.4 min | Very Low | — | 116 | R+39.0 | 71.1 | C- |
| 36 | Homer Glen, IL | 24,546 (2023) | $531,950 (2026) | $130,235 (2022) | 36.3 min | Very Low | 14 | 120 | D+1.6 | 71.4 | C- |
| 37 | Hudson, OH | 22,968 (2023) | $562,779 (2026) | $160,280 (2022) | 24.7 min | Very Low | 12 | 128 | D+7.0 | 75.6 | C |
| 38 | Huntley, IL | 28,269 (2023) | $429,595 (2026) | $83,357 (2022) | 31.3 min | Very Low | 13 | 112 | R+5.3 | 71.2 | C- |
| 39 | Independence, KY | 29,503 (2023) | $331,613 (2026) | $92,355 (2022) | 27.4 min | Very Low | 11 | 96 | R+21.7 | 77 | C+ |
| 40 | Irvine, CA | 307,670 (2024) | $1,517,431 (2026) | $116,519 (2023) | 25.8 min | Very Low | 44 | 178 | D+2.6 | 67.2 | D+ |
| 41 | Johns Creek, GA | 81,108 (2023) | $704,500 (2026) | $153,882 (2022) | 31.2 min | Very Low | 18 | 133 | D+44.9 | 71.3 | C- |
| 42 | Kettering, OH | 56,876 (2023) | $247,857 (2026) | $69,818 (2022) | 19.8 min | Very Low | 41 | 91 | Even | 84 | B |
| 43 | Lake Forest, IL | 19,354 (2023) | $1,246,873 (2026) | $202,153 (2022) | 34.5 min | Very Low | 18 | 178 | D+20.8 | 66.3 | D |
| 44 | Lino Lakes, MN | 22,376 (2023) | $460,473 (2026) | $120,745 (2022) | 26.3 min | Very Low | 8 | 117 | R+4.4 | 74.7 | C |
| 45 | Lisle, IL | 23,222 (2023) | $438,465 (2026) | $106,265 (2022) | 29.2 min | Very Low | 37 | 124 | D+13.3 | 75.7 | C |
| 46 | Mason, OH | 35,660 (2023) | $513,673 (2026) | $121,082 (2022) | 26.8 min | Very Low | 18 | 116 | R+31.5 | 74 | C |
| 47 | Mayfield Heights, OH | 19,793 (2023) | $235,842 (2026) | $59,423 (2022) | 22.4 min | Very Low | 47 | 94 | D+31.5 | 83.1 | B |
| 48 | McKinney, TX | 208,867 (2024) | $480,265 (2026) | $108,542 (2023) | 30.2 min | Very Low | 24 | 111 | R+11.2 | 73.5 | C |
| 49 | Melissa, TX | 23,571 (2023) | $430,394 (2026) | $138,465 (2022) | 32.6 min | Very Low | — | 125 | R+11.2 | 74.8 | C |
| 50 | Mequon, WI | 25,489 (2023) | $665,026 (2026) | $141,996 (2022) | 21.8 min | Very Low | 11 | 130 | R+10.5 | 73.1 | 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
1 Acworth, GA
Small Georgia city with local appeal
Median Home
$412,338
Population
22,379
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
26
2 Arlington Heights, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$500,757
Population
74,495
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
48
3 Avon Lake, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$432,538
Population
25,942
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
24
4 Bainbridge Island, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,200,693
Population
24,254
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
19
5 Bartlett, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$447,342
Population
39,992
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
22
6 Bellevue, WA
Eastside excellence
Median Home
$1,451,887
Population
154,331
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
7 Bergenfield, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$651,416
Population
28,274
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
63
8 Broadview Heights, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$376,901
Population
19,634
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
10
9 Buffalo Grove, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$452,107
Population
42,482
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
10 Camas, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$750,827
Population
27,254
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
18
11 Carmel, IN
Award-winning city planning meets Midwestern charm
Median Home
$580,014
Population
104,776
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A
12 Castle Rock, CO
Colorado community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$666,242
Population
81,415
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
11
13 Centerville, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$391,980
Population
25,754
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
30
14 Colleyville, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$919,474
Population
25,736
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
17
15 Columbus, IN
Indiana community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$281,533
Population
51,522
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
29
Corinth, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$412,999
Population
23,707
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
11
17 Cottage Grove, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$402,376
Population
42,056
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
16
18 Darien, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$463,450
Population
21,698
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
35
19 Deerfield, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$662,331
Population
18,884
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
36
20 Dover, NH
Small New Hampshire city with local appeal
Median Home
$548,206
Population
33,485
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
33
21 Edwardsville, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$333,548
Population
26,698
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
31
Erie, CO
Small Colorado city with local appeal
Median Home
$724,400
Population
35,269
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
13
23 Fair Lawn, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$739,017
Population
35,564
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
60
24 Fishers, IN
Young families find their perfect fit
Median Home
$449,366
Population
103,842
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A
25 Fort Mill, SC
Small South Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$529,805
Population
33,626
Crime
Very Low
Median Income
$128,125
26 Frankfort, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$502,643
Population
20,907
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
19
Franklin, WI
Small Wisconsin city with local appeal
Median Home
$447,838
Population
35,485
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
17
28 Fremont, CA
East Bay family haven
Median Home
$1,471,931
Population
230,504
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A
29 Frisco, TX
Sports City USA
Median Home
$649,173
Population
219,587
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
30 Gilbert, AZ
Fastest-growing town turned family haven
Median Home
$570,915
Population
275,411
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A
31 Glen Ellyn, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$584,435
Population
28,347
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
50
32 Hawthorne, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$651,326
Population
19,496
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
54
33 Henderson, NV
Vegas suburb with small-town feel
Median Home
$485,484
Population
330,891
Crime
Very Low
Schools
B
34 Highland Park, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$802,430
Population
30,272
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
42
35 Holly Springs, GA
Small Georgia city with local appeal
Median Home
$435,387
Population
19,540
Crime
Very Low
Median Income
$108,332
36 Homer Glen, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$531,950
Population
24,546
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
14
37 Hudson, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$562,779
Population
22,968
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
12
38 Huntley, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$429,595
Population
28,269
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
13
39 Independence, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$331,613
Population
29,503
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
11
40 Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
41 Johns Creek, GA
Georgia community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$704,500
Population
81,108
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
18
42 Kettering, OH
Ohio community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$247,857
Population
56,876
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
41
43 Lake Forest, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,246,873
Population
19,354
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
18
44 Lino Lakes, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$460,473
Population
22,376
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
8
45 Lisle, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$438,465
Population
23,222
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
37
46 Mason, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$513,673
Population
35,660
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
18
47 Mayfield Heights, OH
Small Ohio city with local appeal
Median Home
$235,842
Population
19,793
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
47
48 McKinney, TX
Historic downtown meets modern growth
Median Home
$480,265
Population
208,867
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A
Melissa, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$430,394
Population
23,571
Crime
Very Low
Median Income
$138,465
50 Mequon, WI
Small Wisconsin city with local appeal
Median Home
$665,026
Population
25,489
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
11