Advertisement US News & World Report created a list of the best places to live in the US in 2024.Factors such as housing affordability, job opportunities, and quality of life determined the list.Naples, Florida, tops 2024’s list, followed by Boise, Idaho, and Colorado Springs, Colorado.Deciding where to live isn’t always easy.
Some people move multiple times in a decade, searching for new experiences or better opportunities.
Others end up regretting relocating to their new homes.
Advertisement While everyone’s circumstances are unique, data can help narrow down the choices .
Every year, US News & World Report ranks 150 big cities based on factors including quality of life , schools, crime rates, employment opportunities, and housing affordability to find the best places to live in the United States.
For 2024’s list , the South and the Midwest have the most cities ranked in the top 15.
Advertisement Booming Boise, Idaho; outdoorsy Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the bustling banking hub of Charlotte, North Carolina, all consistently make the list of the best places to live.
Newcomers include Austin, a growing tech hub , and two scenic South Carolina locales: Greenville and Charleston.
In addition to weighing job opportunities and housing costs , US News & World Report emphasizes each area’s overall standard of living.
Here are the 15 best places to live in the US, according to US News & World Report.Residents find plenty to like about these cities, including relatively affordable homes , plenty of jobs, and lots of ways to spend their free time.
Advertisement 15.Lexington, Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky.
Getty Images Population of the metro area: 320,154
Median home price: $331,000
Median monthly rent: $1,600
Median household income: $66,392
Climate Vulnerability Index: 58th percentile (average vulnerability).This index shows areas of the US most likely to face challenges from climate change.
Known for: Home to over 450 horse farms, Lexington is known as the horse capital of the world .While it doesn’t have the Kentucky Derby, Keeneland Race Track holds its own horse races twice a year.
Advertisement 14.Madison, Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin.
Walter Bibikow/Getty Images Population of the metro area: 280,305
Median home price: $415,000
Median monthly rent: $1,700
Median household income: $70,484
Climate Vulnerability Index: 6th percentile (lowest vulnerability)
Known for: Wisconsin’s capital is also the state’s second-largest city.Madison is a college town, offering plenty of chances to see concerts and sporting events.
Advertisement 13.Charleston, South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina.
f11photo/Shutterstock Population of the metro area: 155,369
Median home price: $617,500
Median monthly rent: $2,800
Median household income: $89,083
Climate Vulnerability Index: 55th percentile (average vulnerability)
Known for: With its cobblestone streets and 18th- and 19th-century buildings, Charleston is a dream for historic-architecture buffs.Plus, miles of beachy coastline are just a short trip from downtown.
Advertisement 12.Green Bay, Wisconsin Green Bay, Wisconsin.
DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images Population of the metro area: 105,744
Median home price: $318,000
Median monthly rent: $999
Median household income: $66,950
Climate Vulnerability Index: 15th percentile (lowest vulnerability)
Known for: Wisconsin’s oldest city is home to the Green Bay Packers, a storied NFL team.Nature lovers can make the most of Green Bay ‘s 25-mile Fox River State Trail, even in the winter.
Advertisement 11.Sarasota, Florida Sarasota, Florida.Sean Pavone/Shutterstock Population of the metro area: 57,602
Median home price: $488,500
Median monthly rent: $2,800
Median household income: $68,870
Climate Vulnerability Index: 24th percentile (lower vulnerability)
Known for: Sarasota earned the nickname the Circus City because Ringling Bros.and Barnum & Bailey Circus moved its winter quarters to the beachy town in 1927.These days, the weather, leisurely pace of life, and lack of income tax all attract people to Florida.
Sarasota, in particular, has become a magnet for workers, according to a January LinkedIn report .
Advertisement 10.Boulder, Colorado Boulder, Colorado.Page Light Studios/Shutterstock Population of metro area: 105,898
Median home price: $945,000
Median monthly rent: $2,995
Median household income: $75,923
Climate Vulnerability Index: 12th percentile (lowest vulnerability)
Known for: Not far from the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is known for outdoorsy activities , including rock climbing, hiking, skiing, and cycling.The city’s median age is 28.6, giving it a youthful, lively energy.
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Austin Austin.Kruck20/Getty Images Population of metro area: 979,882
Median home price: $484,900
Median monthly rent: $2,000
Median household income: $91,501
Climate Vulnerability Index: 20th percentile (lower vulnerability)
Known for: An artsy, contemporary city, Austin is known for its vibrant nightlife, live music, eclectic cuisine, and college scene.
It also has a long history of attracting tech giants , and even more companies have opened offices there since the pandemic.West Coasters in the industry have moved to the city, lured by the booming job market and comparatively low cost of living.
Advertisement 8.Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach, Virginia.Kyle J Little/Shutterstock Population of metro area: 453,649
Median home price: $384,500
Median monthly rent: $2,195
Median household income: $91,141
Climate Vulnerability Index: 18th percentile (lowest vulnerability)
Known for: Boasting a beloved boardwalk, Virginia Beach has miles of beaches , delectable seafood, and a mild climate.Murals, museums, and shops in the ViBe Creative District give the seaside destination some arty flair, too.
Advertisement 7.Huntsville, Alabama Huntsville, Alabama.
Denis Tangney/Getty Images Population of metro area: 225,564
Median home price: $315,000
Median monthly rent: $1,465
Median household income: $73,319
Climate Vulnerability Index: 54th percentile (average vulnerability)
Known for: Since the start of the US space program in the 1950s Huntsville has been a hub for the aerospace and defense industries.Today it’s bursting with startups , alongside long-standing workplaces like NASA and Boeing.Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin also has a facility for building rocket engines in Huntsville.
Advertisement 6.Raleigh, North Carolina Raleigh, North Carolina.
Getty Images Population of metro area: 482,295
Median home price: $450,000
Median monthly rent: $1,826
Median household income: $86,309
Climate Vulnerability Index: 13th percentile (lowest vulnerability)
Known for: This capital city has a busy downtown, free museums, and miles of hiking trails.Part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, Raleigh has a long history of fostering technology and science companies, creating a strong local economy.
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Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina.Getty Images Population of the metro area: 911,311
Median home price: $424,900
Median monthly rent: $1,950
Median household income: $80,581
Climate Vulnerability Index: 35th percentile (lower vulnerability)
Known for: Second only to New York, Charlotte is a bustling banking hub.Locals can root for the city’s professional basketball, football, and soccer teams or soak up the art and food scenes .
Advertisement 4.Greenville, South Carolina Greenville, South Carolina.Sean Pavone/Shutterstock Population of the metro area: 72,824
Median home price: $366,500
Median monthly rent: $1,725
Median household income: $73,536
Climate Vulnerability Index: 55th percentile (average vulnerability)
Known for: In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville attracts new residents with its moderate climate, burgeoning food reputation, and natural beauty.Greenville is also home to several major corporations, including Michelin, GE, and Lockheed Martin.
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Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images Population of the metro area: 488,664
Median home price: $440,000
Median monthly rent: $1,873
Median household income: $83,215
Climate Vulnerability Index: 34th percentile (average vulnerability)
Known for: The US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center is located in Colorado Springs , making the city especially attractive to athletes.There are hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, and white water rafting is a popular summer activity.From the Garden of the Gods to the iconic Pikes Peak, gorgeous natural sights adorn the area.
Advertisement 2.Boise, Idaho Boise, Idaho.vkbhat / Getty Images Population of the metro area: 235,421
Median home price: $472,500
Median monthly rent: $1,774
Median household income: $79,977
Climate Vulnerability Index: 9th percentile (lowest vulnerability)
Known for: Thousands of new residents flocked to Idaho’s capital in the past decade, making it the US’s fastest-growing city in 2018 .
Boise blends sought-after amenities such as microbreweries and cider houses with nearby scenic state parks full of rivers, canyons, and mountains.
Advertisement 1.Naples, Florida Naples, Florida Mint Images/Getty Ima Population of the metro area: 19,704
Median home price: $629,500
Median monthly rent: $6,100
Median household income: $135,657
Climate Vulnerability Index: 32nd percentile (lower vulnerability)
Known for: Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Naples is like a postcard come to life, with white-sand beaches, luxurious residences, and over 1,350 holes of golf.
The city has long attracted wealthy residents who can afford the high housing costs.Right now a $295 million compound is up for grabs, the most expensive home for sale in the US .
Sources: Population and income data are from the US Census, median home price from Realtor.com, median rent from Zillow, and climate information from the Climate Vulnerability Index.
This story was originally published on May 15, 2024, and most recently updated on December 4..
