What is the best small town to live in?

The "best" small town depends on your priorities (jobs, nature, affordability, schools), but top contenders in recent rankings include Johns Creek, GA (safety, schools, jobs), Carmel, IN (economy, health, safety), and Fishers, IN (livability, family-friendly) for suburbs/small cities. For scenic beauty and outdoor access, consider Incline Village, NV, Moab, UT, or Red Lodge, MT, while Belfast, ME offers coastal charm and creativity.

Where is the best small town to live in?

Buying or selling a home?

• #1 in Best Small Cities to Live in the U.S. 7.0. ...
• Apex, NC. #2 in Best Small Cities to Live in the U.S. ...
• Leander, TX. #3 in Best Small Cities to Live in the U.S. ...
• Rochester Hills, MI. #4 in Best Small Cities to Live in the U.S. ...
• Troy, MI. ...
• Sammamish, WA. ...
• Ellicott City, MD. ...
• Flower Mound, TX.

What is the #1 best small city in America?

Best Small Cities to Live in America

• Carmel, Ind. Carmel, Indiana, ranks as the best small city to live in, thanks to a combination of strong economic performance, health outcomes, and safety. ...
• Brookfield, Wisc. Brookfield, Wisconsin, takes the second spot, driven by low unemployment and poverty levels. ...
• Apex, N.C.

What is the safest small town to live in the USA?

There's no single "safest" town, as rankings vary by report and criteria, but Columbus, Indiana, often leads as a top contender for overall safety, while other consistently safe small towns include Wallingford, CT; Lone Peak, UT; Zionsville, IN; Monroe Township, NJ; and Lexington, MA, noted for low violent and property crime rates, with New England and the Midwest frequently dominating safety lists. 

What is the happiest small town in the United States?

The happiest small towns in America vary by list, but consistently feature places with strong communities, outdoor access, and good quality of life, with recent mentions including White Rock, NM, praised for low poverty and close community; Eureka Springs, AR, known for its historic charm; Stowe, VT, and Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, for beauty and amenities; and Sugarcreek, OH, for Amish culture. Other contenders often cited are Taos, NM, Bisbee, AZ, and charming spots like Fish Creek, WI, and Saratoga Springs, NY.
 

10 Best Small Towns to Live in the United States

What is the friendliest small town in America?

America's friendliest small towns often blend natural beauty, rich history, and strong community spirit, with popular mentions including Tryon, NC, known for its Hallmark charm; Murray, KY, a past winner of the Rand McNally "Friendliest" title; Abilene, KS, recognized for its history; and scenic spots like Telluride, CO, and Bar Harbor, ME, where local charm thrives. Other notable towns praised for welcoming vibes are Eureka Springs, AR, and Lewisburg, WV, showcasing diverse regional friendliness.
 

What are the 5 unhappiest states in the US?

The Top 5 happiest states in the U.S. are: Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey and Connecticut. The 5 LEAST happy states in the U.S. are: West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and Alaska.

Which U.S. city has the best quality of life?

The best U.S. cities for quality of life vary by ranking, but Brookline, MA, often tops lists for blending small-town feel with big-city access, while Columbia, MD, excels for women's opportunities, and Chicago is noted as a top big city for overall livability, despite some drawbacks. Other top contenders include Alexandria, VA, Bellevue, WA, Chapel Hill, NC, and cities in the < !nav>Research Triangle (NC) / NC/VA/MD area for strong education, healthcare, and amenities. 

Where is the cheapest but safest place to live in America?

The cheapest and safest places to live in the U.S. often blend low crime rates with affordable housing, with top contenders frequently including small cities in Ohio (like New Philadelphia), Georgia (Roswell, Johns Creek), Texas (Mission, Brownsville), Michigan (Grand Rapids, Bay City), and Oklahoma (Enid, Edmond), offering good cost of living, low property values, and stable economies, though "safest" and "cheapest" can vary by ranking source. 

What are the top 3 safest states to live in?

Based on recent 2025 analyses, the top three safest states in the U.S. are consistently Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, often followed closely by Maine, with these Northeastern states leading due to low violent crime, good healthcare access, and lower disaster risks. These rankings consider factors like crime rates, financial security, and natural disaster prevalence, with New Hampshire often ranking #1 for public safety by specific metrics, while Vermont leads overall in some studies. 

Where is the prettiest place in America to live?

The most beautiful places to live in the U.S. offer diverse scenery, from coastal gems like Santa Barbara, CA, and Portland, ME, to mountain paradises in Aspen, CO, Jackson, WY, and Asheville, NC, with vibrant cities like Seattle, WA, and charming historic towns like Hudson, NY, and Savannah, GA, also ranking high for natural beauty, quality of life, and outdoor access. The "best" choice depends on preference for mountains, beaches, desert landscapes, or vibrant city life, with options like Hawaii, Oregon, and Utah also frequently cited for stunning states.
 

What is the richest small-town in America?

GoBankingRates put together a list of the most affluent small towns in all 50 states. Towns with 500 to 1,500 households were considered eligible for the list. Medina, Washington, had the highest median household income and the highest average home value.

What is America's prettiest city?

There's no single "most beautiful" city, as it's subjective, but Charleston, SC, frequently tops lists for historic charm, architecture, and Southern hospitality. Other top contenders include Seattle, praised for its natural setting with mountains and ocean, San Francisco, known for its iconic views, and New York City, celebrated for its vibrant, world-class atmosphere.
 

What small-town are millionaires moving to?

Truckee-Grass Valley, Calif.

And the long, snowy winters are perfect for the numerous ski resorts in the vicinity of Truckee and Grass Valley. Another appealing aspect of the area for millionaires: It's a straight shot down Interstate 80 to reach Sacramento, the state capital, and San Francisco.

Where is the best place to move to start over?

San Diego, California

With sunny skies almost year-round, it's a paradise for sun-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. The city's numerous beaches offer endless opportunities for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing, embodying the quintessential California dream.

What is the cheapest small-town to live in in the United States?

The cheapest small towns to live in the U.S. often feature housing costs significantly below the national average, with locations like Bloomfield, IA, offering median homes around $130k and low rent; Branson, MO, for entertainment & outdoor access; and Cortland, NY, boasting historic charm near larger cities, with many options found in the Midwest and South like Enid, OK, Hickory, NC, and Texas towns such as Harlingen, TX, providing affordability with community feel and outdoor access. 

Where can I live that is warm and cheap?

Best affordable warm states with soaring home prices

• Texas. Texas is ideal for millennials and Gen Z buyers who want affordable housing, strong job opportunities, and a good quality of life without the sky-high prices of coastal cities. ...
• Florida. ...
• Arizona. ...
• Georgia. ...
• South Carolina.

What is the easiest state to live in financially?

The easiest states to live in financially generally have low costs of living, especially for housing, and often feature low taxes, with Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi frequently topping lists for affordability and savings potential, driven by cheaper groceries, transport, and lower median home values compared to national averages. Southern and Midwestern states tend to offer more financial ease, while high-cost areas like Hawaii, California, and the Northeast are typically the hardest. 

Is it better to rent or buy affordably?

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in California? In most cities, renting has a lower monthly cost, but homeownership can be more cost-effective in the long term due to equity growth and tax benefits. The decision depends on your budget and plans.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

What is the happiest place to live in the USA?

The happiest places to live in the U.S. often include California cities like Fremont, San Jose, and Irvine, due to strong economies, good weather, and community, alongside Midwestern gems like Sioux Falls (SD), Overland Park (KS), Lincoln (NE), and Madison (WI), known for affordability, low depression rates, and outdoor access, with other consistent contenders being Scottsdale (AZ), San Francisco (CA), and Seattle (WA), focusing on lifestyle, purpose, and overall well-being. 

What is the hardest U.S. state to live in?

These states are America's worst for quality of life in 2025:

• Arkansas.
• Alabama.
• Georgia.
• Louisiana.
• Utah.
• Indiana.
• Texas.
• Tennessee.

What is the most loved state in the USA?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as America's favorite state in recent surveys, leading in overall favorability and net positive perception due to its beauty, warm weather, and perceived well-being, followed by states like North Carolina, Alaska, Tennessee, and Colorado in positive ratings. However, "most liked" varies by survey criteria, with other rankings highlighting states like Utah or Nebraska for overall livability, but Hawaii generally wins popularity contests. 

What is the unhealthiest state to live in?

While rankings vary slightly by study, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Kentucky consistently appear as the most unhealthy U.S. states, often due to high rates of obesity, smoking, chronic disease, substance abuse, poor nutrition, mental distress, and lower life expectancies, with many of these top contenders located in the South.