Naples, Florida wins the top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Places to Live rankings, driven by its job market and exceptional quality of life.
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U.S. News & World Report’s methodology incorporates various metrics to assess the livability of 150 major U.S. cities.
These best places metrics include the health of the local job market, affordability of housing, overall value, quality of life, and desirability. This year’s rankings placed increased on value and job market prospects.
The best places rankings are a reflection of thousands of Americans’ preferences when choosing a place to live. Quality of life remains paramount weighted at 32% followed closely by value at 27%, job market at 22%, and desirability at 19%.
The top 10 cities show a range of regions across the United States, with states like Florida, Idaho, Colorado, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, and Texas all making appearances.
This geographical diversity shows opportunities available to residents seeking an optimal balance of affordability, job prospects, and quality of life.
Boise, Idaho, secures the second spot on the list, lauded for its exceptional value, job market, and quality of life.
Similarly, Colorado Springs, Colorado, wins the third position driven by its high desirability and value scores.
The Carolinas emerge as contenders in this year’s rankings, with Greenville, South Carolina, making its debut in the top 10 at fourth place.
Charlotte and Raleigh, both in North Carolina secure the fifth and sixth positions, respectively, propelled by their job markets and quality of life.
Major cities like New York City and Los Angeles faced hurdles in the rankings primarily due to their exorbitant costs of living.
With New York ranking 124th and Los Angeles 130th, these urban hubs struggle to reconcile high salaries with steep housing expenses.
U.S. News & World Report’s rankings are underpinned by a methodology that incorporates data from reputable sources such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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15 Best Places to Live in the US
1. Naples, Florida
- Population: 19,115
- Median home price: $650,000
- Median monthly rent: $5,800
- Median household income: $135,657
- Known for: Picturesque Gulf Coast setting, white-sand beaches, luxury homes, abundance of golf courses (over 1,350 holes), attraction for wealthy residents, home to the most expensive property in America ($295 million compound with a private yacht basin and dedicated gift-wrapping room).
2. Boise, Idaho
- Population of the metro area: 235,684
- Median home price: $482,100
- Median monthly rent: $1,825
- Median household income: $81,425
- Known for: Rapid growth, America’s fastest-growing city in 2018, urban amenities combined with easy access to nature (rivers, canyons, mountains), microbreweries, cider houses.
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Population of the metro area: 478,961
- Median home price: $455,000
- Median monthly rent: $1,800
- Median household income: $78,568
- Known for: US Olympic and Paralympic Training Centers, appeal to athletes, abundant hiking and mountain biking trails, iconic natural sights like Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak.
4. Greenville, South Carolina
- Population of the metro area: 70,720
- Median home price: $344,000
- Median monthly rent: $1,825
- Median household income: $67,340
- Known for: Moderate temperatures, mix of urban amenities and natural beauty, home to major corporations like Michelin and GE’s gas turbine plant.
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
- Population of the metro area: 874,579
- Median home price: $432,300
- Median monthly rent: $1,999
- Median household income: $74,401
- Known for: Second-largest banking hub in the US, professional sports teams (basketball, football, hockey), NASCAR Hall of Fame.
6. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Population of the metro area: 482,295
- Median home price: $453,000
- Median monthly rent: $1,895
- Median household income: $75,424
- Known for: Lively downtown, free museums, numerous parks, emerging tech hub.
7. Huntsville, Alabama
- Population of the metro area: 225,564
- Median home price: $314,800
- Median monthly rent: $1,450
- Median household income: $68,930
- Known for: Aerospace and defense industries, dubbed Silicon Valley of the South, presence of major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Apple, and Blue Origin.
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Population of the metro area: 453,649
- Median home price: $374,000
- Median monthly rent: $2,100
- Median household income: $83,245
- Known for: Coastal location, sandy beaches, seafood delicacies, year-round mild climate, popular seaside destination.
9. Austin, Texas
- Population of metro area: 979,882
- Median home price: $527,400
- Median monthly rent: $2,250
- Median household income: $89,415
- Known for: Vibrant arts scene, live music, diverse cuisine, booming tech industry, attraction for West Coast tech workers due to job market and cost of living.
10. Boulder, Colorado
- Population of metro area: 105,898
- Median home price: $1 million
- Median monthly rent: $2,780
- Median household income: $81,608
- Known for: Outdoor activities (rock climbing, hiking, skiing), youthful energy from several universities.
11. Sarasota, Florida
- Population of the metro area: 57,602
- Median home price: $523,800
- Median monthly rent: $2,900
- Median household income: $68,870
- Known for: Circus heritage, attractive weather, slower pace of life, influx of LinkedIn members.
12. Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Population of the metro area: 105,744
- Median home price: $276,000
- Median monthly rent: $1,145
- Median household income: $55,177
- Known for: Oldest city in Wisconsin, home to Green Bay Packers.
13. Charleston, South Carolina
- Population of the metro area: 155,369
- Median home price: $577,000
- Median monthly rent: $2,970
- Median household income: $83,103
- Known for: Historic charm, abundance of churches, beach access.
14. Madison, Wisconsin
- Population of the metro area: 280,305
- Median home price: $420,000
- Median monthly rent: $1,675
- Median household income: $73,647
- Known for: State capital, college town atmosphere.
15. Lexington, Kentucky
- Population of the metro area: 320,154
- Median home price: $329,000
- Median monthly rent: $1,500
- Median household income: $62,908
- Known for: Horse farms, though Kentucky Derby takes place in Louisville.
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