Covering nearly 3.8 million square miles and housing over 335 million people, the United States stands as the third-largest country globally in terms of both landmass and population. Despite a generally high standard of living, the vast size of the country means that certain regions offer more favorable living conditions than others.
Determining the overall quality of life is a subjective endeavor, yet various factors contribute to the desirability of specific communities. Elements such as the local economy, public health and safety, and accessibility to culture and entertainment play crucial roles in shaping the living experience.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 40% of the 28.2 million Americans who relocated in 2022 did so for reasons such as securing a new job, finding a better or more affordable home, residing in a safer neighborhood, or health-related considerations.
The analysis encompassed all locations in the U.S. with sufficient data and populations exceeding 5,000. The list includes cities, towns, villages, boroughs, and unincorporated communities, with a focus on the highest-ranking place in each county to prevent geographic clustering.
Typically, the communities on this list boast low crime rates, prosperous economies, and financially stable populations. Most residents in these areas also enjoy easy access to quality healthcare, public parks, and recreational facilities, as well as entertainment and cultural attractions such as bars, restaurants, theaters, and museums.
Median home value: $790,100
Median household income: $74,902
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 95.0%
Recreational establishments: 18.3 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 104,930
Median home value: $696,800
Median household income: $220,861
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.8%
Recreational establishments: 38.9 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 5,204
Median home value: $1,165,200
Median household income: $210,990
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.1%
Recreational establishments: 17.2 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 15,873
Median home value: $2,000,000
Median household income: $193,423
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 96.1%
Recreational establishments: 49.5 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 8,494
Median home value: $728,500
Median household income: $75,638
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 80.6%
Recreational establishments: 179.6 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 26,776
Median home value: $1,246,700
Median household income: $167,990
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.5%
Recreational establishments: 18.1 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 14,530
Median home value: $769,300
Median household income: $247,930
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 92.9%
Recreational establishments: 47.1 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 5,314
Median home value: $857,900
Median household income: $211,202
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 91.0%
Recreational establishments: 17.1 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 17,262
Median home value: $1,370,500
Median household income: $122,348
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 95.2%
Recreational establishments: 27.2 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 5,530
Median home value: $698,000
Median household income: $137,576
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 88.5%
Recreational establishments: 12.4 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 8,611
Median home value: $588,600
Median household income: $177,315
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.3%
Recreational establishments: 11.8 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 7,453
Median home value: $836,300
Median household income: $83,289
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.7%
Recreational establishments: 51.2 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 10,728
Median home value: $723,800
Median household income: $239,833
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 94.6%
Recreational establishments: 19.6 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 30,754
Median home value: $610,400
Median household income: $81,744
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.8%
Recreational establishments: 31.2 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 672,814
Median home value: $1,020,600
Median household income: $206,384
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 91.5%
Recreational establishments: 59.4 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 5,557
Median home value: $693,800
Median household income: $233,340
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 96.4%
Recreational establishments: 38.7 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 5,369
Median home value: $810,400
Median household income: $185,319
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.8%
Recreational establishments: 16.4 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 30,950
Median home value: $827,900
Median household income: $209,283
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.5%
Recreational establishments: 33.1 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 9,208
Median home value: $937,000
Median household income: $101,011
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.3%
Recreational establishments: 33.4 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 6,436
Median home value: N/A
Median household income: $89,625
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 94.6%
Recreational establishments: N/A
Total population: 7,019
Median home value: $789,900
Median household income: $194,256
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.5%
Recreational establishments: 9.5 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 25,991
Median home value: $1,778,000
Median household income: $203,659
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 92.7%
Recreational establishments: 25.6 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 12,666
Median home value: $852,700
Median household income: $145,475
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 86.8%
Recreational establishments: 43.8 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 24,557
Median home value: $881,200
Median household income: $185,188
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.2%
Recreational establishments: 30.1 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 23,087
Median home value: $755,800
Median household income: $128,145
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 100.0%
Recreational establishments: 19.0 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 235,764
Median home value: $1,656,900
Median household income: $114,559
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.7%
Recreational establishments: 25.7 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 20,627
Median home value: $1,671,400
Median household income: $187,384
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.9%
Recreational establishments: 22.1 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 20,613
Median home value: $812,900
Median household income: $194,267
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.8%
Recreational establishments: 40.8 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 19,450
Median home value: $660,700
Median household income: $70,663
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.9%
Recreational establishments: 14.4 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 8,736,047
Median home value: $1,111,000
Median household income: $97,834
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.4%
Recreational establishments: 26.3 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 119,607
Median home value: $888,000
Median household income: $112,565
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.1%
Recreational establishments: 27.8 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 116,892
Median home value: $999,200
Median household income: $207,971
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.8%
Recreational establishments: 21.8 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 9,889
Median home value: $880,100
Median household income: $224,185
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.7%
Recreational establishments: 18.8 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 17,148
Median home value: $797,400
Median household income: $235,637
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.7%
Recreational establishments: 21.4 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 12,033
Median home value: $893,600
Median household income: $165,149
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.4%
Recreational establishments: 22.7 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 30,717
Median home value: $838,300
Median household income: $155,071
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 100.0%
Recreational establishments: 0.0 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 14,494
Median home value: $1,101,200
Median household income: $212,132
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.3%
Recreational establishments: 24.6 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 8,824
Median home value: $1,613,300
Median household income: $158,104
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.5%
Recreational establishments: 21.9 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 82,409
Median home value: $1,102,100
Median household income: $242,610
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.7%
Recreational establishments: 14.8 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 49,310
Median home value: $1,504,500
Median household income: $170,000
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.0%
Recreational establishments: 30.4 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 25,506
Median home value: $777,600
Median household income: $160,890
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 100.0%
Recreational establishments: 14.4 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 59,369
Median home value: $1,309,200
Median household income: $239,188
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 96.0%
Recreational establishments: 42.9 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 7,292
Median home value: $1,251,800
Median household income: $226,250
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 94.7%
Recreational establishments: 31.6 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 29,365
Median home value: $1,380,600
Median household income: $247,045
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 96.7%
Recreational establishments: 20.4 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 25,029
Median home value: $1,450,000
Median household income: $220,875
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.5%
Recreational establishments: 50.0 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 12,535
Median home value: $1,904,400
Median household income: $204,570
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.5%
Recreational establishments: 17.3 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 30,754
Median home value: $1,194,500
Median household income: $126,187
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 100.0%
Recreational establishments: 41.1 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 865,933
Median home value: $1,444,800
Median household income: $234,152
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 97.5%
Recreational establishments: 57.2 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 6,929
Median home value: $1,529,400
Median household income: $207,930
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 99.6%
Recreational establishments: 42.6 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 16,459
Median home value: $1,538,400
Median household income: $248,984
Population with access to exercise opportunities: 98.2%
Recreational establishments: 27.0 per 10,000 businesses
Total population: 19,497
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