Lifestyle

15 BEST Places To Live In The U.S. Right Now

What are some of the qualities you may be looking for when you want to live in an area? It may be that it is easier to go around, or there are more than enough job opportunities, or there might be a steady influx of residents annually, or any other reason.

Some other factors are the crime rate, the cost or standard of living, the quality of education, etc. You do not need to empty all your accounts to live in America. Urban areas may offer many activities, but they may also come at a very high price. So, there must be a balance between finding the iconic neighborhoods and side attractions, promising job growth, and ultimately having one of the lowest living costs in the US.

So, are you in search of a change in the environment? Or is your city too dull, isolated, expensive, or congested? Well, here in this article, we have your answers. Research across the US concerning what people think makes their areas span these categories: Economy, amenities, demographics, education, housing, health care, civil and social capital, infrastructure, and transportation. So what people consider the best places on this list are cities with a low crime rate, good schools, and social amenities like natural environments, parks, culture, etc. They should also be economically and ethnically diverse and conducive for the residents and even immigrants.

 

What Are The Largest Cities In The US?

From New York to San Diego, the big cities and bright lights may have caught your attention. Discover the largest cities in the US and some of the best places to live in the US. This list has been made by considering population, using the World Population Review statistics.

 

New York City

New York City; best places to live in the us
Photo by Redd on Unsplash

It is not nicknamed “The city that never sleeps” and “The Big Apple” for no reason. This city is energetic, fast-paced, and home to iconic restaurants, neighborhoods, and museums. It can boast of being among the most significant financial and cultural hubs globally. Real estate may be costly, but there are many job opportunities and amenities, making it one of the best places to live in the US and one of the largest cities in the U.S.

 

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles
Photo by Sterling Davis by Unsplash

With a population of over four million, Los Angeles, popularly called “Tinseltown,” “The Big Orange,” “La La Land,” or “City of Angels,” is home to many celebrities, free spirits, and artists. It just never stops being a site of attraction for people worldwide. This cosmopolitan city offers easy access to beaches, hiking trails, and forests and is a haven for entertainment. So, if you are looking for ideal weather, ample opportunities, and a lot of diversity, you can go to Los Angeles.

 

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago City; best places to live in the us
Photo by Pedro Lastra on Unsplash

With a population of 2,679,044 and the nickname “The Windy City,” Chicago is also a great place to live in the US. Situated along Lake Michigan, It is among the largest cities in the US. The city’s world-renowned museums, schools, low housing expenses, Midwest charm, and iconic restaurants make it a convenient and attractive place to live in. It is also known for the beautiful skyline and iconic architecture it offers. However, it may be a little cold during winter.

 

Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas; best places to live in the us
Photo by Kevin Hernandez on Unsplash

With a population of over two million and a nickname of “Space City,” “H Town,” or “The big heart,” Houston is one of the best places to live in the U.S. With a diverse economy, ideal neighborhoods, and a stable market for jobs and opportunities, it is fast becoming one of the best cities for young professionals. Some years ago, Forbes acknowledged the city as one of the best places for business and careers. It is a lovely place filled with excellent schools, sunny weather, affordable real estate, low living costs, and social amenities. It is generally one of the places with the lowest cost of living in the US. A couple of great places to live in Texas include Dallas-Fort Worth, Killeen, El Paso, Beaumont, and Corpus Christi.

 

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona; best places to live in the US
Photo by Rebecca Lawrence on Unsplash

With a population of 1,711,356, the city popularly nicknamed “The Salt River Valley” or “The Valley of the Sun” is surrounded by numerous desert mountains and hiking trails. Those who love staying outdoors would find the city truly fascinating. The city also has amenities like first-class golf courses and consistently sunny weather. Phoenix is also one of the places with the lowest cost of living in the US. If you are a cost-conscious retiree, why not consider Phoenix? It is not just one of the cheapest places to live in the US; it is also considered one of the best places to retire in the US, thanks in no small part to its recreational and social opportunities. Most people agree that it is a great place to raise a family and among the best cities for young professionals.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Image by rawpixel.com

It has a population of 1,576,596 and the nickname “The City of Brotherly Love.” Philadelphia is one of the most significant cities in the country in history. It also offers amenities like plenty of music venues, hip arts scenes, and trendy restaurants. A center of commerce for Pennsylvania, it contains some of the biggest companies in the state. Due to the excellent schools in the area, many graduates and undergraduates opt to visit the area and even settle there. 

 

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio, Texas, United States
Photo by Matthew LeJune on Unsplash

It is one of the largest cities in the US., with a population of around 1,565,929 and the nickname “Alamo City.” San Antonio is a great place, especially if you want to move to the west. Rich in Wild West culture and history, it offers a great job market, a friendly environment for families, delicious recipes, and many community gatherings and amenities. It is also known to offer one of the lowest living costs in the US, world-class academic institutions, sunny weather, and affordable real estate.

 

San Diego, California

San Diego, California, United States
Photo by Lucas Davies on Unsplash

With a population of over a million and the nickname of “America’s Finest City,” San Diego is gradually achieving progressive growth in the US. It is also a popular spot for foodies and beach enthusiasts and is one of the best cities for young professionals. There is also the added advantage of outdoor activities, recreational or not, and it even offers an active sports culture. The business sector is also overgrowing, with high-tech companies and startups growing in number every day. It is also known for the high number of educated people working there. 

 

Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas, United States
Photo by Erin Hervey on Unsplash

“The Big D” is leading in the progressive growth of tech, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The city also offers a booming job market, a thriving economy, and a diverse population. Another advantage of this city is its sunny weather, first-grade public schools, cheaper real estate, and other amenities. These factors make this city among the best places to raise a family and one of the best cities for young professionals. It also makes the list of places to retire in the US.

 

San Jose, California

San Jose, California
Photo by Andrii Ganzevych on Unsplash

With a population of 1,033,519 and nicknamed “The Capital of Silicon Valley,” this city recently made it to the list of best places to live in the US. This massive city in California is sunny and offers a blend of excellent schools and a stable job market. It also has a very high concentration of tech companies. If you are looking for an ideal place to work or live for IT professionals, San Jose is your place.

 

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri
Photo by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash

With a population of 2,487,053 and the nickname “Heart of America,” Kansas City is famous for its barbeque and jazz, and other exciting things that happen in this small city. This city is sleek, modern, and has straightforward access to some of the other happening neighborhoods in the city.  Even though it is still an up-and-coming city, living standards are considerably low. Moreover, it has one of the most exciting food spots. It is a beautiful place to live in the US.

 

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor, United States
Photo by Brad West on Unsplash

Though small compared to other cities on this list, Ann Arbor, more commonly known as Tree Town, is a lovely city to live in. It also has some of the best college towns in the United States. This is mainly due to the activities and events offered by its big university, the University of Michigan. Residents in this city get to enjoy the art galleries, bookstores, restaurants, and performance venues scattered around the city. It is a great place to live in the US and also one of the best places to retire in the US.

 

Denver, Colorado

Denver, Colorado, United States
Photo by Jakob Rosen on Unsplash

With a population of 619,968 and nicknamed “Mile High City,” it is the capital of the state of Colorado. Denver is also an old American metropolis and center for 19th-century structures. It is one of the cheapest places to live in the US and is also known for its museums and arts. It attracts people from all over with its top-notch cultural attractions, chef-driven restaurants, music scenes, and outdoor adventure spots. What’s more, it is a very safe place to live in. Colorado is the second-best state to retire in the US. A couple of other great places to live in Colorado include Idaho Springs, Georgetown, and Evergreen.

 

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Photo by Curtis Adams on Pexels

With a population of 457,159 and the nickname “City of Oaks,” it is a great place to reside in North Carolina. It is also one of the safest places to live in. One of the cheapest places to live in the US, residents in Raleigh enjoy a blend of suburban and urban. Because of the low cost of living, most people own their own homes. Parks and restaurants abound in this area. It is also an excellent city for young professionals, where they could visit trendy spots and great bars. It also has a rich cultural heritage and is one of the best places to retire in the US. And if you have kids, look no further. It is also one of the best places to raise a family.

 

Bellevue, Washington

Bellevue, Washington, United, States
Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash

City in the Park residents enjoys bike paths, restaurants, museums, music venues, and beautiful parks. Right now, it is also experiencing progressive growth for a downtown area. It is a great place to live in the US and one of the best places to live for retirement in the US. Bellevue is generally one of the cheapest places to live in the US and the best places to raise a family. It is also one of the safest places to live in.

 

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, United States
Photo by MJ Tangonan on Unsplash

With the nickname “Violet Crown City” and a population of 964,254, this town passes among the best places to live in the US. They also have a very modest standard of living. It is also home to one of the most iconic universities, The University of Texas. Being the capital of Texas, Austin is widely known for its live-music scenes around the rock, blues, and government. Its many lakes and parks are popular for boating, hiking, swimming, and biking. It has a rich blend of racial cultures, comprised of whites, blacks, Latinos, and Asians. The city is also leading the charge for the revolution of clean technology. It is home to wind turbine manufacturers, solar companies, and system integrators. So, if you are looking for one of the best places to live in Texas and one of the best cities for young professionals, Austin is the place.

 

Where Should You Live?

As an immigrant or citizen of the US, any of these places are suitable for living. Due to all these factors present in different cities, it may be difficult to answer the question, where should I live?” Several places in the US are safe and beneficial. So make your choice from this list above, and you can be sure of landing the neighborhood of your dreams. Do all the necessary preparations for proper relocation and make a move for it.