Are you looking for a new place to call home in the coming year? If yes, then you’re not alone. In Q2 2023, around 51.9% of homeowners wished to make a move.
Whether for better career prospects, education opportunities, or affordable living, many Americans are looking for a change. Yet, high mortgage rates, expensive home prices, and rising living costs can make the moving process challenging.
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- Explore Your Mortgage Options: You can opt for FHA, VA, or USDA loans for low downpayment mortgages. Additionally, you can consider no-closing-cost mortgages or down payment assistance programs.
- Research and Compare Mortgage Lenders: You can save over $84,000 by shopping for mortgages. Compare mortgage lenders based on their interest rates, guidelines, loan offers, and mortgage policies.
- Buy Without a Realtor: Selling their homes to unrepresented buyers helps home sellers save thousands in buyer agent commissions. You can start your home search on real estate websites like Houzeo, Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc.
Best Places to Live in the United States in 2024
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Green Bay, WI | 106,095 | $241,400 | $6,858 | 3.0% | 59/100 |
| 2. | Huntsville, AL | 221,933 | $278,500 | $7,001 | 2.0% | 57/100 |
| 3. | Raleigh, NC | 476,587 | $433,120 | $7,349 | 2.9% | 63/100 |
| 4. | Boulder, CO | 105,485 | $983,863 | $9,073 | 3.0% | 74/100 |
| 5. | Sarasota, FL | 57,376 | $462,710 | $7,277 | 3.4% | 61/100 |
| 6. | Naples, FL | 19,618 | $594,106 | $7,360 | 3.3% | 64/100 |
| 7. | Portland, ME | 68,424 | $528,770 | $8,284 | 2.2% | 64/100 |
1. Green Bay, Wisconsin
| Median Home Price | $241,400 |
| Median Household Income | $55,221 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,858 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0 |
| Community Well-Being Score | 59/100 |
Green Bay offers a low cost of living, affordable housing, and quality of life. An average Green Bay resident spends 25.69% of their income on mortgage expenses. This is 17.12% less than the national average of 31%.
The city ranks 7th in quality of life. Green Bay has diverse close-knit communities with a population of just about 106,817.
You can socialize with locals at city-deck concerts, lake festivals, and art fairs. Apart from that, Bay Beach Amusement Park, Saint James Park, and Farmer’s Market are popular outings.
» Homes For Sale in Green Bay, WI: Find your dream home in this city.
2. Huntsville, Alabama
| Median Home Price | $278,500 |
| Median Household Income | $60,959 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,001 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0 |
| Community Well-Being Score | 57/100 |
Huntsville is an ideal college town and is home to the University of Alabama and Oakwood University. Space exploration and defense technologies are some of the most preferred domains of research education.
Huntsville has growing job opportunities in the tech industry. Some of the most popular tech companies, like Facebook and Google, have offices in Huntsville.
Apart from world-class higher education and work prospects, Rocket City has a rich culture. Some popular cultural events include the Panoly Art Festival and the Christmas Parade.
» Homes For Sale in Huntsville, AL: Browse thousands of property listings in Huntsville.
3. Raleigh, North Carolina
| Median Home Price | $433,120 |
| Median Household Income | $72,996 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,349 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.9 |
| Community Well-Being Score | 63/100 |
In a community survey, Raleigh residents reported an 88% job satisfaction rate. The Research Triangle Park (RTP) has the headquarters of some of the biggest businesses in the country. Companies like MetLife, Red Hat, Citrix, etc. are located outside of RTP.
The Triangle has excellent higher education options as well. Duke University, Davidson College, and Wake Forest University are popular colleges in the area.
Raleigh also hosts a community living for its residents. Some popular community events include the North Carolina Strawberry Festival and the Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival.
» Homes For Sale in Raleigh, NC: View thousands of properties for sale in this city.
4. Boulder, Colorado
| Median Home Price | $983,863 |
| Median Household Income | $74,902 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,073 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0 |
| Community Well-Being Score | 74/100 |
Boulder has a robust tech industry and hosts major tech companies like Twitter, Apple, and Google. The city is also home to other tech companies like Sovrn, Automax, and Inscripta.
Boulder has been named the “happiest city” in the country. The city has various meditation and community centers for the mental well-being of its residents. Popular ones include Bohemia Boulder and the Boulder Shambhala Center.
The city also offers diverse community living. Live Music Fridays, Outback Saloon, and the Rayback Food Truck Park are popular places for social gatherings.
» Homes For Sale in Boulder, CO: Discover new property listings in the happiest city of the country.
5. Sarasota, Florida
| Median Home Price | $462,710 |
| Median Household Income | $62,615 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,277 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4 |
| Community Well-Being Score | 61/100 |
Sarasota is the best place to live in the US if you have made a good living and wish to retire in a beach town. The population’s median age here is 54, which shows the city bustles with retirees.
However, Sarasota’s cost of living is a bit on the steeper side. So, it is ideal only for people who have earned well over their lifetimes.
» Homes For Sale In Sarasota, FL: Find your dream home in this beach town.
6. Naples, Florida
| Median Home Price | $594,106 |
| Median Household Income | $125,306 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,360 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3 |
| Community Well-Being Score | 64/100 |
Naples is the best area to live for professional growth. The job market in the Golf Capital of the World will grow by 39.3% over the next decade. Also, the city’s crime rate is 37% lower than the state average.
The living costs in this city are 20% higher than the national average. This makes Naples one of the most expensive cities to live in the US.
» Homes For Sale in Naples, FL: View best luxurious properties for sale in Naples.
7. Portland, Maine
| Median Home Price | $528,770 |
| Median Household Income | $66,109 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,284 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2 |
| Community Well-Being Score | 64/100 |
Portland has a solid public school system. Yarmouth Schools (a school district) ranks #3 best in the state. Other popular schools include Longfellow School-Portland, Ocean Avenue, and Harrison Lyseth Elementary School.
Apart from good schools, Portland is the 10th best city to live in the USA for jobs. The city’s low unemployment rate of 2.2% is 1.3% lower than the national average. The sectors with the fastest growth include manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology.
» Homes For Sale in Portland, ME: Find best properties in the Portland neighborhood.
Best Places to Live for Young Adults in the US
The USA offers some of the best places for young adults looking for educational and employment opportunities.
- Gainesville, FL: A median age of just 26.5 makes Gainesville ideal for youngsters. The city offers a college-town atmosphere and has some of the best school districts in the state.
- Charlotte, NC: Queen City is the spot for professional sports and is home to the Hornets and Carolina Panthers. The city also offers a growing job market, especially in healthcare and technology. Charlotte is among the best cities for young adults due to its low cost of living and affordable home prices.
Best Places to Live in America for Retirees
The following are the best cities to live in the United States for retirees:
- Ocala, FL: The city is known for its lush natural beauty and has a close-knit community. The inland location protects Ocala against hurricanes and storms. Costs of housing, utilities, groceries, and goods and services are 6% to 15% below the national average.
- New York City, NY: The Big Apple is home to some of the most renowned hospitals in the country. These include New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital. Though New York City is a bit expensive, it ranks #6 in happiness and #14 overall.
Best Places to Live in the USA for Families
Here are the best cities to raise a family in the US:
- Paradise Valley, AZ: Paradise Valley is adjacent to the Scottsdale Unified School District. This school district is home to the top-ranked schools in the country. Additionally, in 2023, Paradise Valley Hospital received an A rating in Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety System.
- Panthersville, GA: This district is home to the famous Columbia Elementary School and the Academy of Engineering. Also, Panthersville has many grocery stores and parks.
Best Places to Live in the USA for Professional Growth
Here are the top cities to live in the US for professional growth:
- Orlando, FL: O-town may see a 10.2% increase in employment possibilities by 2030. In addition, Orlando is leading the nation in biotech, space research, defense, and aerospace technologies.
- San Francisco, CA: Silicon Valley in the South of San Francisco is every techie’s dream destination. San Francisco is home to numerous corporations, including Apple, Facebook, Google, and others. their home. Apart from a flourishing job market, the city offers a vibrant mixture of arts, music, cuisine, and festivals.
Find Your New Home in US With Houzeo
With thousands of property listings, Houzeo.com is one of the biggest property listing sites in the US. Find condos, townhouses, co-ops, and other types of homes for sale in US on Houzeo.
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» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in America’s competitive housing market.
Research Methodology
We researched several cities across all states to rank the best places in the US. Comparison criteria for the best cities to live in the USA and the information sources are as follows:
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Population: Demographic Reports by Cubit [1]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities in the USA to live in for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, retirees, and working professionals.
Best Places to Live Near You
| Region | Best Places to Live Near Me |
|---|---|
| Northeast | Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Vermont |
| Midwest | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri| Nebraska | North Dakota | Ohio | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
| South | Alabama | Arkansas | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Mississippi | North Carolina | Oklahoma | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | District of Columbia | West Virginia |
| West | Alaska | Arizona | California | Colorado | Hawaii | Idaho | Montana | Nevada | New Mexico | Oregon | Utah | Washington State | Wyoming |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one place to live in the US?
Green Bay, Wisconsin is the #1 place to live in the US. The city offers a low cost of living, affordable housing, and a good quality of life.
What city has the highest quality of life in America?
Green Bay City in Wisconsin has the highest quality of life in America. Discover other best cities to live in America.
Where is everyone moving to in 2023?
Most people in 2023 are moving to Florida. Tax exemptions, sunny climate, and affordable living are the contributing factors. Jacksonville, Pensacola, Tallahassee, and Tampa are some of the best places to live in FL.
Where is the safest place to live in America?
Broadview Heights, Ohio, is the safest place to live in America. The crime rate in this city stands at 0.1%. Discover other safe places to live in the US.
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