The US cities with the best quality of life, ranked
US News & World Report released a list of the cities with the best quality of life for 2024 to 2025.
Cities with places for outdoor activities, such as beaches and mountains, ranked higher.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, was named the best city for a high quality of life.
Quality of life is one of the most important aspects one should consider before moving to a new city.
US News & World Report created a list of the country's most livable cities, weighing factors such as affordability, healthcare quality, and residents' overall happiness.
For its ranking, US News & World Report used data from sources such as the US Census Bureau, the FBI, and the US Department of Labor, among others. Business Insider added the city population for each location using US Census 2023 estimates.
Here are the top 15 cities with the best quality of life in 2024 to 2025, ranked.
15. Fayetteville, Arkansas
Quality of life score: 7.0
Population: 101,680
Median household income: $70,165
Median home price: $281,646
Median age: 33 years old
Known for: Among the Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is an outdoorsy town that's known for its friendly residents, its love of college football, and local favorites such as deep-fried catfish sandwiches.
14. Richmond, Virginia
Quality of life score: 7.0
Population: 229,247
Median household income: $68,814
Median home price: $321,874
Median age: 36 years old
Known for: Richmond is a historic city founded in 1737, but that doesn't mean it's old-fashioned. A thriving downtown scene with art galleries, concert halls, and trendy restaurants meld the city's rich history with the modern times, and Richmond's more than 100 local parks offer plenty of outdoor recreation for residents.
13. Hartford, Connecticut
Quality of life score: 7.0
Population: 119,669
Median household income: $46,377
Median home price: $214,546
Median age: 36 years old
Known for: While the population of Hartford skews older than some cities on this list, there's no shortage of buzzy restaurants and corporate offices for those looking to grow their careers in the Connecticut capital. The Bushnell theater brings Broadway shows to town regularly, and The Mark Twain House and Museum is a popular destination for literary buffs.
12. Greenville, South Carolina
Quality of life score: 7.0
Population: 72,824
Median household income: $76,193
Median home price: $393,809
Median age: 37 years old
Known for: College football is huge in Greenville, which is home to Clemson University, but there's a thriving art scene, too. Outdoor activities also abound in this Southern city, thanks to multiple hiking and biking trails.
11. San Diego
Quality of life score: 7.0
Population: 1,388,320
Median household income: $109,765
Median home price: $807,264
Median age: 38 years old
Known for: San Diego residents enjoy outdoor activities such as surfing, boating, and volleyball on one of the city's 80-plus beaches. The city is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo and is known for its authentic Mexican cuisine.
10. Asheville, North Carolina
Quality of life score: 7.0
Population: 95,056
Median household income: $69,429
Median home price: $400,587
Median age: 42 years old
Known for: Set among the Blue Ridge Mountains and defined by a thriving farm-to-table food scene and brewery culture and a focus on local artisans, Asheville is an easygoing city with a lot to offer people of all ages, whether visiting or putting down roots in this creative Southern city.
9. Boston
Quality of life score: 7.1
Population: 653,833
Median household income: $95,674
Median home price: $744,221
Median age: 35 years old
Known for: One of the most historic cities in the country, Boston offers many exciting cultural activities, including walks along the Freedom Trail and performances by the Boston Pops orchestra. Fine dining and buzz-worthy restaurants abound, as do historic taverns and bars, and two Boston chefs were nominated for the James Beard Awards in 2024, Eater reported.
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Quality of life score: 7.1
Population: 453,649
Median household income: $96,805
Median home price: $358,477
Median age: 39 years old
Known for: Virginia Beach boasts 38 miles of coastline, offering plenty of activities such as swimming, fishing, kayaking, and waterskiing. If you're not outdoorsy, however, there are plenty of opportunities for shopping, museums, and taking in the local cuisine.
7. Portland, Maine
Quality of life score: 7.1
Population: 69,104
Median household income: $77,286
Median home price: $449,949
Median age: 39 years old
Known for: Portland has quickly become the New England city to watch, thanks to its thriving food scene, plethora of outdoor recreational activities, and exciting music and nightlife scenes. But the cost of living in Portland is rising steadily, leaving the city at a crossroads of how to create more affordable housing while retaining Portland's small-town feel.
6. Madison, Wisconsin
Quality of life score: 7.2
Population: 280,305
Median household income: $79,166
Median home price: $367,653
Median age: 35 years old
Known for: As the capital of America's Dairyland, Madison has a thriving food scene built off local cheese and breweries. The city's lakes and bike paths also make this city a great place to live in the warmer months.
5. Raleigh, North Carolina
Quality of life score: 7.2
Population: 482,295
Median household income: $87,708
Median home price: $382,677
Median age: 37 years old
Known for: Raleigh-Durham is quickly becoming a premier destination for great food and entertainment with a second-tier city feel. Home to some of the state's top universities and colleges, as well as more than 20 craft breweries, shopping centers, and local museums, this region of North Carolina is a great place to lay down roots.
4. Honolulu
Quality of life score: 7.4
Population: 341,778
Median household income: $103,096
Median home price: $869,639
Median age: 45 years old
Known for: Honolulu is a slice of paradise on Earth with stretches of stunning beaches, fine-dining establishments, resorts, a diverse local culture, and shopping destinations. History buffs can also visit sites relating to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor, including the USS Arizona Memorial.
3. Boise, Idaho
Quality of life score: 7.4
Population: 235,421
Median household income: $85,886
Median home price: $422,080
Median age: 39 years old
Known for: Boise's stunning natural surroundings are just one reason to move to this up-and-coming city. In addition to more than 180 miles of public trails for hiking, biking, and running, artistically inclined folks can take in a show at one of the city's theaters, while sports fans can root for the Boise State Broncos.
2. Boulder, Colorado
Quality of life score: 7.4
Population: 105,898
Median household income: $97,017
Median home price: $854,424
Median age: 36 years old
Known for: Boulder is known for its more than 60 parks and 155 miles of hiking trails for nature lovers. The city's downtown area also abounds with restaurants, cafés, and bars, while the outdoor Pearl Street Mall is a popular shopping destination.
1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Quality of life score: 7.7
Population: 119,381
Median household income: $86,628
Median home price: $456,578
Median age: 34 years old
Known for: Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor combines a small-town feel with the benefits of a bigger city.
Citing the Trust for Public Land, US News & World Report reported that more than 90% of Ann Arbor residents live less than a 10-minute walk from a public park, which gives them access to hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. The city's downtown is also a thriving hub for shops and restaurants, as well as craft breweries and distilleries.
Correction: January 6, 2025 — An earlier version of this story included a photo of Shanghai mislabeled as Raleigh, North Carolina. The photo was replaced with one of Raleigh. It also misstated the metro population numbers for the cities on this list. They have been updated to reflect the latest city population numbers, not their metro areas, from the US Census Bureau.
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