Which US 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.

What U.S. city has the highest quality of life?

The top 10 US cities by quality of life

• Newton, Massachusetts.
• Woodbury, Minnesota.
• Plymouth, Minnesota.
• Pleasanton, California.
• Redmond, Washington.
• Castle Rock, Colorado.
• Bellevue, Washington.
• San Ramon, California.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different reports rank states differently, but Vermont is frequently cited as #1 for Quality of Life (CNBC), while Massachusetts often leads overall livability/best state rankings (WalletHub), and Utah ranks high overall for Best States (U.S. News). These rankings vary by the specific metrics used, such as health, safety, environment, education, or economic opportunity. 

What is the #1 best city in America?

New York, NY. New York City, the perpetual heartbeat of America, has finished #1 since we started ranking U.S. cities almost a decade ago. This year, the city also tops our three overall indexes: Livability, Lovability and Prosperity.

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. 

These cities have the world’s best quality of life

Where do the nicest people live in the USA?

While "nicest" is subjective, studies and surveys often point to Minnesota, known for "Minnesota Nice," along with Southern states like Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia, and Midwestern states like Iowa, as having very friendly and polite people, often characterized by strong community spirit and helpfulness. Other frequently mentioned spots include Hawaii, Colorado, and Wisconsin, known for relaxed attitudes or deep-rooted hospitality. 

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.

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 are the top 3 cities in America?

Source: U.S. Census Bureau website.

• New York City. New York. 8,478,072. (2020) 8,804,190.
• Los Angeles. California. 3,878,704. (2020) 3,898,747.
• Chicago. Illinois. 2,721,308. ...
• Houston. Texas. 2,390,125. ...
• Phoenix. Arizona. 1,673,164. ...
• Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. 1,573,916. ...
• San Antonio. Texas. 1,526,656. ...
• San Diego. California. 1,404,452.

Which state is worth moving to?

The study found the best states to move to are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho and Virginia. According to the list, worst states to move to are California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oregon.

What state has the friendliest people?

While subjective, studies and surveys consistently rank Minnesota, Tennessee, and South Carolina as some of the friendliest U.S. states, often followed by Texas and Wyoming, with general "Southern hospitality" and Midwest politeness often cited, though perceptions of "niceness" (like Minnesota's reserved style) can vary.
 

What U.S. state is safest and cheapest to live in?

For the best combination of cheap and safe, consider states like Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas, which consistently rank high in affordability (low housing, groceries, overall cost of living) while also offering manageable safety, with Vermont and New Hampshire often topping pure safety lists, though they are pricier. The ideal balance depends on whether you prioritize the lowest cost (Mississippi) or strong safety (Vermont), with Midwestern/Southern states generally offering lower expenses and Northern/New England states often leading in safety metrics. 

What's the safest city in the United States?

There isn't one single "safest city," as rankings vary by study, but Warwick, Rhode Island, often tops lists like WalletHub for overall safety in 2025, considering natural disasters, home/community safety, and financial factors, while San Jose, California, is ranked highly by SmartAsset for large cities focusing on crime rates. Other consistently high-ranking cities include Overland Park (KS), Burlington (VT), and Columbia (MD).
 

What city has the best standard of living?

Zurich, Switzerland, tops the Quality of Living City Ranking for 2024. It is followed by Vienna, Austria, and Geneva, Switzerland, in second and third place.

Which U.S. city has the lowest cost of living?

1. Harlingen, Texas. Harlingen, Texas, clinches the title as the cheapest place to live in America, per Kiplinger. In this town situated on Texas' southernmost tip, the cost of living is 24.4 percent below average in the U.S.

What is the most loved city in the USA?

1. New York City, NY. There's no other city quite like New York City. In 2023, New York attracted over 9 million international visitors, making it the most visited city in the United States for overseas travelers.

What is the best major city to live in the US?

The best big cities to live in the U.S. often include Austin, Seattle, San Diego, Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C., balancing factors like job markets, culture, affordability (relative to major hubs), and quality of life, though rankings vary by source, with some highlighting tech-friendly cities like Austin and Seattle, historical/cultural centers like Boston and D.C., and Sun Belt growth areas like Dallas and Houston. Texas cities like Austin, Fort Worth, and Houston consistently appear for growth and value, while places like San Jose and Raleigh are noted for tech opportunities and livability. 

What is the coziest city in America?

There's no single "coziest" city, as it depends on your preference (cozy cafes, fall vibes, historic charm), but recent studies often highlight Jersey City, NJ, for its cafes and community spots, or San Francisco, CA, for its fog and charming neighborhoods, while Portland, ME, is praised for fall coziness, and other cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, and historic St. Augustine, FL, also rank high for their unique cozy atmospheres. 

What is the most attractive state in America?

There's no single "most beautiful" state, as it's subjective, but California, Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, and Washington consistently rank high for diverse, breathtaking scenery, offering everything from epic coastlines and massive mountains to lush rainforests and unique desert landscapes, with California often cited for its unparalleled variety. 

What is considered America's finest city?

"America's Finest City" is the well-known nickname for San Diego, California, a title it earned for its beautiful beaches, warm climate, abundant attractions like Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, and a high quality of life, celebrated through events like the America's Finest City Half Marathon, as mentioned on Wikipedia and this blog post.
 

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. 

Who has the longest life expectancy in the United States?

Hawaii consistently has the highest life expectancy in the U.S., often followed closely by states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Minnesota, with recent data from the CDC (2021) showing Hawaii at 79.9 years, driven by factors like strong healthcare, low mortality rates, and healthy lifestyles, though exact figures vary slightly by year and source.