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High quality of life is likely one of the largest figuring out elements when deciding the place to put down roots.
US Information & World Report created an inventory of the nation’s most livable cities by weighing elements corresponding to affordability, healthcare high quality, and the general happiness of residents.
Listed here are the highest 15 cities with the very best quality of life in 2024, ranked from worst to finest, based on its report.
15. Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado. RiverNorthPhotography/Getty Photographs by way of BI
High quality of life rating (out of 10): 7.2
Inhabitants of the metro space: 354,670
Common annual wage: $59,120
Median residence value: $596,583
Median age: 36.3 years previous
Identified for: Fort Collins is thought not just for its gorgeous pure magnificence and plethora of out of doors leisure actions but additionally for its bustling downtown that is stated to have been the inspiration for Disneyland’s Principal Road, USA.
14. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan. Maria Dryfhout/Shutterstock by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.2
Inhabitants of the metro space: 1,081,665
Common annual wage: $52,660
Median residence value: $338,977
Median age: 36.1 years previous
Identified for: Solely an hour’s drive from the shores of Lake Michigan, Grand Rapids is a well-liked location for folks trying to reap the benefits of town’s expansive parks, Grand Rapids Artwork Museum, and the Grand Rapids Ballet, which is the state’s solely skilled ballet firm.
13. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
Out of doors eating on the sidewalk in downtown Raleigh. Wileydoc/Shutterstock by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.2
Inhabitants of the metro space: 2,034,246
Common annual wage: $61,759
Median residence value: $434,741
Median age: 37.5 years previous
Identified for: Raleigh-Durham is rapidly changing into a premier vacation spot for excellent meals and leisure with a second-tier metropolis really feel. Dwelling to a number of the state’s prime universities and faculties, in addition to greater than 20 craft breweries, procuring facilities, and native museums, this area of North Carolina is a good place to put down roots.
12. Washington, DC
Washington, DC. Getty/Chip Somodevilla by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.2
Inhabitants of the metro space: 6,332,069
Common annual wage: $80,480
Median residence value: $538,037
Median age: 37.5 years previous
Identified for: The nation’s capital, Washington, DC, is residence to a number of the United States’ most well-known cultural landmarks, together with the White Home and the Lincoln Memorial. There’s additionally a blossoming meals scene on this metropolis and loads of alternatives for a enjoyable night time out.
11. Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho. Anna Gorin/Getty Photographs by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.2
Inhabitants of the metro space: 750,669
Common annual wage: $49,440
Median residence value: $221,475
Median age: 36.9 years previous
Identified for: Boise’s gorgeous pure environment are only one motive to maneuver to this up-and-coming metropolis. Along with greater than 180 miles of public trails for mountaineering, biking, and operating, artistically inclined people can absorb a present at one of many metropolis’s theaters, whereas sports activities followers can root for the Boise State College Broncos.
10. Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey. halbergman/Getty Photographs by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.3
Inhabitants of the metro space: 384,951
Common annual wage: $71,600
Median residence value: $344,842
Median age: 38.9 years previous
Identified for: Trenton is famend as one of many extra reasonably priced cities on this checklist. In response to US Information & World Report, the common median sale value for a single-family residence falls under the nationwide median value. Residents have entry to Mercer Meadows, which is a 1,600-acre park, native wineries, vineyards, and breweries.
9. Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York. Paul Brady Pictures/Shutterstock by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.3
Inhabitants of the metro space: 1,088,373
Common annual wage: $56,830
Median residence value: $195,508
Median age: 40.4 years previous
Identified for: The historic figures Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass as soon as lived in Rochester, including to this metropolis’s wealthy cultural historical past. Right now’s residents can partake within the metropolis’s many leisure actions, corresponding to watersports on Lake Ontario, snowboarding at close by Bristol Mountain, and the native Seabreeze amusement park.
8. Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut. Alexander Farnsworth/Getty Photographs by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.3
Inhabitants of the metro space: 1,213,324
Common annual wage: $67,140
Median residence value: $347,842
Median age: 40.6 years previous
Identified for: Whereas the inhabitants of Hartford skews older than many cities on this checklist, there is no scarcity of buzzy eating places and company places of work for these trying to develop their careers within the Connecticut capital. The Bushnell Theater brings Broadway exhibits to city recurrently, and The Mark Twain Home and Museum is a well-liked vacation spot for literary buffs.
7. Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin
Inexperienced Bay Packers followers help their staff. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photographs by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.3
Inhabitants of the metro space: 326,590
Common annual wage: $51,510
Median residence value: $278,558
Median age: 38.9 years previous
Identified for: Sports activities is a lifestyle on this Midwestern metropolis, due to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. When soccer season ends, residents can get pleasure from Inexperienced Bay’s thriving arts-and-entertainment scene or hike alongside one of many metropolis’s nature trails.
6. Boston
A girl consuming espresso in Boston. 2p2play/Shutterstock by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.3
Inhabitants of the metro space: 4,912,030
Common annual wage: $76,850
Median residence value: $716,746
Median age: 38.8 years previous
Identified for: Some of the historic cities within the nation, Boston affords many thrilling cultural actions, together with walks alongside the Freedom Path and performances by the Boston Pops Orchestra. Advantageous eating and buzz-worthy eating places abound, as do historic taverns and bars, and two Boston cooks have been nominated for the James Beard Awards in 2024, Eater reported.
5. Portland, Maine
A kayak teacher in Portland, Maine. Michael D. Wilson/Aurora Images/Getty Photographs by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.4
Inhabitants of the metro space: 547,792
Common annual wage: $57,060
Median residence value: $501,164
Median age: 43.6 years previous
Identified for: Portland, Maine, has rapidly turn into the New England metropolis to observe, due to its thriving meals scene, plethora of out of doors leisure actions, and thrilling music and nightlife scene. However the price of residing in Portland is rising steadily, leaving town at a crossroads of the way to create extra reasonably priced housing whereas retaining Portland’s small-town really feel.
4. San Jose, California
San Jose, California. Walter Bibikow/Getty Photographs by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.4
Inhabitants of the metro space: 1,995,351
Common annual wage: $99,430
Median residence value: $1,524,907
Median age: 37.4 years previous
Identified for: Often known as the capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is a vacation spot for a lot of trying to break into the world of tech and innovation. The price of residing is excessive, however the shut proximity to the ocean and the Sierra Nevada mountain vary improves the standard of life for San Jose’s outdoorsiest residents.
3. Madison, Wisconsin
A view of Madison, Wisconsin. Walter Bibikow/Getty Photographs by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.4
Inhabitants of the metro space: 674,506
Common annual wage: $59,510
Median residence value: $398,096
Median age: 36.5 years previous
Identified for: Because the capital of Wisconsin’s Dairyland, Madison has a thriving meals scene constructed off native cheese and breweries. Town’s lakes and bike paths additionally make this metropolis an incredible place to reside within the hotter months.
2. Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado. Web page Gentle Studios/Shutterstock by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.7
Inhabitants of the metro space: 328,713
Common annual wage: $73,360
Median residence value: $881,147
Median age: 37.2 years previous
Identified for: Boulder boasts greater than 60 parks and 155 miles of mountaineering trails for nature lovers. Town’s downtown space additionally abounds with eating places, cafés, and bars, whereas the outside Pearl Road Mall is a well-liked procuring vacation spot.
1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan. Paul Brady Pictures/Shutterstock by way of BI
High quality of life rating: 7.9
Inhabitants of the metro space: 372,428
Common annual wage: $61,010
Median residence value: $405,142
Median age: 34.1 years previous
Identified for: Dwelling to the College of Michigan, Ann Arbor combines a small-town really feel with the advantages of a much bigger metropolis.
In response to US Information & World Report, greater than 90% of Ann Arbor residents reside lower than a 10-minute stroll away from a public park, giving them entry to mountaineering, kayaking, and cross-country snowboarding. Town’s downtown can also be a thriving hub for retailers and eating places, in addition to craft breweries and distilleries.
