The Best Places to Live in the U.S.: 25 Small to Mid Size Cities with It All

Over the past 18 months, almost half of Americans either moved or thought about it.  If you look into your options, you’ll find that the most livable places in the U.S. aren’t necessarily the biggest, and sometimes they’re surprising.

How Did We Pick These 25 Best Places to Live? For eight years, Livability.com  has been collecting data from surveys and studies to analyze 1,000 cities in America to find some of our country’s best places to live.

1. Madison, Wisconsin It is an excellent place for new college graduates and retirees, and anyone in between.  On top of that, it also has beautiful architecture (thanks to Frank Lloyd Wright) and lovely farmers’ markets to enjoy.

2. Ann Arbor, Michigan Known mainly as the home of the University of Michigan, this college town is buzzing with culture, green vistas, and innovation, making it one of the best places to live in the U.S. Ann Arbor has a tech startup scene that helped launch Nokia and Duo Security and helping make tomorrow’s innovations a reality.

3. Overland Park, Kansas If you’re looking for a suburb with peaceful scenery, look into Overland Park. With excellent schools, affordable houses, and plenty of theatres, this nearby city to St. Louis received high marks. Overland Park offers a lot, from a killer barbeque scene, extensive botanical garden, and large employers like T-Mobile.

4. Frederick, Maryland

If you had to describe Frederick in one word, it would be charming. With countryside wineries, beautiful architecture, and rich history, this little city is truly one of the best places to live in the U.S. If you only have to commute to Baltimore or D.C. every once in a while, it’s a fantastic regional option.

5. Charlottesville, Virginia

Another college town, Charlottesville, has grown from the creativity and energy of the prestigious public college, The University of Virginia.

6. Quincy, Massachusetts

Close to hundreds of colleges and universities (including Harvard), Quincy has maintained its historical feel while keeping an eye on the future. Quincy’s downtown area is Boston’s biggest revitalization project and where you’ll find the perfect mix of shops, restaurants, homes, and commercial space.

7. Hillsboro, Oregon Part of Oregon’s Silicon Forest, Hillsboro is home to the headquarters of many high-tech companies, including Intel and Genentech. Though it’s right next to Portland, rest assured that Hillsboro has a personality of its own, offering exceptional health care, family farms, and arts and culture organizations for days.

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