
San Jose sits at the heart of Silicon Valley and leads in tech innovation. Apple, Google, and many startups hire highly paid engineers. Salaries are high, but living costs and home prices are among the highest in the country. Traf...
Personal Safety : 92
Property Safety : 90
Community Safety : 93
$1,482,000
Median Home Rent
$3,200

San Diego has mild weather all year and beaches from La Jolla to Imperial Beach. Biotech firms and the military support many jobs. Living here costs a lot, and home prices are very high. Traffic slows commutes on major highways. B...
Personal Safety : 42
Property Safety : 52
Community Safety : 50
$950,000
Median Home Rent
$2,650

Austin leads tech hiring as Apple, Tesla, and Google expand across the city. With no state income tax, people keep more of what they earn. Live music fills Sixth Street and Rainey Street every night. UT Austin boosts research and innovation, while Lady Bird Lake offers kayaking and trails. Food trucks serve cheap, tasty meals. Traffic is heavy, summers are very hot, and home prices have surged, but many still move here for big jobs and an energetic lifestyle.
$618,558
Median Home Rent
$1,850

Denver sits about 30 minutes from top ski resorts. The city has more than 150 craft breweries. Aerospace, tech, and clean energy drive job growth. Red Rocks hosts concerts in a stunning natural setting. Pro teams include the Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, and Avalanche. The city gets around 300 sunny days a year. Home prices have jumped, and ski traffic can be heavy, but light rail links downtown, suburbs, and the airport. People move here for easy access to the outdoors and an active lifestyle.
$613,750
Median Home Rent
$2,100

Nashville earned the name Music City through its deep country music roots. Broadway honky tonks play live music all day and night. Healthcare is huge here, with HCA employing thousands. There is no state income tax on wages. Vanderbilt leads research and medical innovation. Hot chicken and barbecue shape the food scene. The city is growing fast, which means more traffic and higher home prices, but lively neighborhoods like East Nashville and The Gulch keep the energy strong.
$575,000
Median Home Rent
$1,750

Miami is a key link between the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean. There is no state income tax. South Beach draws crowds with beaches, nightlife, and Art Deco style. Global companies base Latin American operations here. Areas ...
Personal Safety : 16
Property Safety : 35
Community Safety : 34
$560,000
Median Home Rent
$2,400

Sarasota is known for white sand Gulf beaches and warm weather all year. There is no state income tax, and many retirees move here for the lifestyle and culture. Siesta Key Beach is a top draw, and the Ringling Museum adds art and...
Personal Safety : 22
Property Safety : 48
Community Safety : 39
$515,000
Median Home Rent
$1,900

Dallas has many Fortune 500 headquarters, including AT&T and ExxonMobil. DFW Airport connects the city to the world, and there is no state income tax. The Arts District brings museums and theaters downtown, while Uptown and Knox Henderson draw young professionals. The metro is large, so commutes can be long. Summers are extremely hot, traffic is heavy, and schools vary by area. Strong diversity and lively neighborhoods give Dallas a modern yet Texas style feel.
$514,999
Median Home Rent
$1,600

Asheville sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains with beautiful views all around. Art fills the city through galleries, crafts, and street performers. The area is famous for craft breweries and farm to table food. The Biltmore Estate draws many visitors, and outdoor fun like hiking and biking is easy to find. Home prices and living costs have risen, and tourist traffic can be heavy, but people love the mix of nature, creativity, and open minded culture.
$470,500
Median Home Rent
$1,700

Phoenix gets more than 300 sunny days a year and draws people with lower costs than California. Desert trails offer great hiking and views. Tech jobs are growing, and nearby Scottsdale and Tempe bring dining and nightlife. Summers...
Personal Safety : 16
Property Safety : 38
Community Safety : 89
$451,571
Median Home Rent
$1,650

Las Vegas has no state income tax and strong jobs in tourism and entertainment. The Strip offers famous shows, food, and casinos, while Red Rock Canyon gives quick access to desert hiking. Homes cost less than in many California cities, and suburbs like Henderson and Summerlin draw families. Summers are extremely hot, schools face challenges, traffic builds near the Strip, and water supply is a growing concern, but many people still move here for jobs and lifestyle.
$445,000
Median Home Rent
$1,550

Charlotte is the nation's second biggest banking hub after New York. Bank of America and Wells Fargo employ thousands uptown. The city has no state income tax on wages. Light rail links suburbs to jobs, and the airport is one of the busiest in the country. Myers Park and Dilworth have historic tree lined streets, while NoDa draws young creatives. Summers are hot and humid, and school quality varies, but growth keeps bringing new energy.
$441,000
Median Home Rent
$1,700

Tampa sits on Florida's Gulf Coast and stays warm all year. There is no state income tax. Tech companies keep moving in. Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach draw sun lovers, while Ybor City shows off Cuban culture, food, and night...
Personal Safety : 40
Property Safety : 63
Community Safety : 37
$439,899.5
Median Home Rent
$1,700

Atlanta is the Southeast's main business and travel hub. Its airport is one of the busiest in the world, and giants like Coca-Cola and Delta are based here. Film and TV production thrive, earning the city the name Hollywood of the...
Personal Safety : 26
Property Safety : 11
Community Safety : 27
$429,990
Median Home Rent
$1,650

Raleigh anchors the Research Triangle near Duke and UNC. Biotech, pharma, and software firms hire talent year-round. Oak-lined streets shape historic areas like Oakwood and Mordecai. Top public schools draw families. Umstead State Park offers hiking close to downtown. Four seasons bring mild winters and bright fall colors. The airport links to major hubs. Homes cost less than many tech cities. Great food, breweries, and diverse communities add energy, while traffic stays easier than in bigger Southern metros.
$420,000
Median Home Rent
$1,650

Orlando is famous for Disney and Universal, and tourism drives many jobs. There is no state income tax. Lake Eola Park brings events and green space to downtown, and UCF adds energy and research. Tech companies are growing here to...
Personal Safety : 100
Property Safety : 100
Community Safety : 100
$415,000
Median Home Rent
$1,650

Chattanooga built one of the first citywide gigabit internet networks. The Tennessee River runs through downtown with parks and trails. There is no state income tax on wages. Lookout Mountain and nearby trails offer great views and outdoor fun. Revived downtown streets bring restaurants and breweries. Homes stay more affordable than in many cities, schools are improving, and traffic is light. Many remote workers move here for tech access and mountain lifestyle.
$362,000
Median Home Rent
$1,400

Fort Worth honors its Western roots in the Stockyards and keeps a strong cowboy spirit. It costs less than Dallas and has no state income tax. The Kimbell Art Museum is world class, and Sundance Square offers food and fun downtown...
Personal Safety : 10
Property Safety : 28
Community Safety : 39
$337,250
Median Home Rent
$1,500

Jacksonville offers affordable beach living with no state income tax. The city covers a huge area, and Atlantic and Neptune beaches are close by. The port and Naval Station Mayport support many jobs. Home prices stay lower than in most Florida metros. Summers are hot with frequent storms, but traffic is easier than in bigger cities. Riverside and Avondale have historic charm, though most people need a car to get around. Families move here for space and coastal access.
$315,000
Median Home Rent
$1,500

Columbus is home to Ohio State University and has strong college town energy. The city offers affordable Midwest living and growing tech jobs. Short North brings art, food, and nightlife, while Nationwide Children's Hospital is a ...
Personal Safety : 20
Property Safety : 32
Community Safety : 43
$300,000
Median Home Rent
$1,300

Cincinnati's downtown has come back to life with restaurants, breweries, and music spots. The city offers affordable Midwest living, and Over the Rhine is now a lively arts and food area. The Bengals and Reds bring sports energy, and riverfront parks host trails and festivals. Winters are cold and snowy, but home prices stay reasonable and traffic is light. Historic roots and lower costs draw young professionals.
$300,000
Median Home Rent
$1,200

San Antonio is known for the River Walk, which draws visitors all year. There is no state income tax, and military bases like Fort Sam Houston support many jobs. Mexican culture shapes the food, festivals, and daily life. The Alamo adds deep history. Homes stay more affordable than in many big cities. Summers are very hot, schools vary by area, and traffic can slow down, but lively neighborhoods like the Pearl add modern energy.
$297,499
Median Home Rent
$1,350

Oklahoma City offers very affordable living and lower home prices than most U.S. cities. Oil and gas still drive many jobs, and the Thunder bring pro sports energy. Bricktown adds food, bars, and canal walks downtown. Tornado season and very hot summers are real challenges, and most people need a car. Schools are improving, and many families move here for space, low costs, and a growing city feel.
$271,000
Median Home Rent
$1,150

Rate Pittsburgh
5.0/5
1 Review
Job Market
100%
Commute
100%
Good Schools
100%
Affordability
100%
Public Transit
100%
Future Growth
100%
Pittsburgh has shifted from steel to tech and healthcare. Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh lead research, and UPMC supports many jobs. Homes stay affordable, and areas like Lawrenceville draw young creatives. Rivers, bridges, and hills give the city a unique look. Winters are cold and snowy, but buses and trains help people get around. Growing tech, strong culture, and lower costs make Pittsburgh appealing to young professionals.
$240,000
Median Home Rent
$1,250

Houston is the energy capital of the U.S., and the Port of Houston leads the nation in shipping tonnage. There is no state income tax. NASA's Johnson Space Center supports many aerospace jobs, and the Museum District packs 19 museums close together. The food scene reflects people from all over the world. Summers are very hot and humid, storms and flooding are real risks, and traffic is heavy. Still, strong jobs and diversity keep Houston growing.
$164,500
Median Home Rent
$1,450
If you're searching for affordable places to live in the US that balance lower home prices with a reasonable cost of living, these options are a good place to start. They offer steady job access, essential amenities, and housing that fits a wider range of budgets.
| City | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Cost of Living vs. State Avg. | Affordability Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | $200,500 | $830 | 8.8/10 | |
| Rockford | $171,500 | $875 | 8.4/10 | |
| Wichita | $244,100 | $941 | 8.1/10 | |
| Conway | $270,800 | $1,300 | 8.1/10 | |
| Decatur | $250,000 | $943 | 8.1/10 |
Safety is a top concern for many people moving across the US. These cities rank among the safest based on the latest FBI crime data. They report lower rates of violent and property crime than the national average. You can see the full list in our safest places to live in the USA rankings.
To determine the best places to live, we applied a structured, data-driven methodology using verified economic and housing datasets. Our analysis incorporates employment levels and job stability (Bureau of Labor Statistics), cost-of-living benchmarks (C2ER), median home prices and average rents (Houzeo housing data), and income statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Each factor was normalized against its respective state average to control for regional cost differences and market size. The combined metrics were then weighted and aggregated to produce a final comparative score, highlighting cities where income levels align more favorably with housing costs, employment conditions remain stable, and overall affordability is stronger relative to the state baseline.
Transparent & data-driven
Each city is scored against the state average on five weighted factors, normalized to control for regional cost differences and market size. Home prices, rents, and inventory come straight from Houzeo's live MLS feed; everything else is sourced from verified government datasets.
Median home price, price per sq ft & rent relative to local incomes vs. the state average.
Violent and property crime rates per capita from FBI reporting vs. the state average.
Median household income, employment levels & job stability vs. the state average.
Active listings, days on market & buyer competition from Houzeo’s live MLS feed.
Schools, walkability, commute times & access to everyday amenities — the tiebreaker.
Important Legal Disclosures
MLS Disclaimers
The market analysis provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Data is sourced from public records, industry reports, and third-party providers, and while Houzeo strives for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information presented.
All estimates, projections, and historical data are based on statistical models and should not be relied upon as predictions of future market conditions. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and real estate market conditions may change due to various economic and regulatory factors. Users are responsible for conducting their own due diligence before making any real estate or financial decisions. Houzeo is not liable for any decisions or actions taken based on the information provided. Any unauthorized use, duplication, or distribution of the data may violate copyright laws and result in legal consequences. Certain information, tools and services on this page may be powered by third-party vendors. Houzeo does not control or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or functionality of such third-party services.