From Coast to Coast: Which Are the Most Livable Places in the U.S. in 2024?

Dreaming of that perfect place to live? Look no further! After analyzing 139 U.S. metros and using 17 key metrics to assess factors like cost of living, access to lifestyle amenities, and community spirit, we believe we’ve found the ideal locations — and it all hinges on livability.

But, what exactly is livability? Think of it as the combination of all of the reasons that make you happy to call a place home. Whether it’s the cost of living that you’re concerned about or income growth, access to gym facilities or the number of entertainment venues nearby, livability manages to cover just about anything that a potential resident is bound to worry about.

With that in mind, we looked at various factors, including the number of health care providers; number of social associations; food index; number of arts and entertainment venues; and commuting time. Then, we grouped them into three categories — socioeconomics, quality of life, and location and community.

Here are the resulting top 10 most livable metros for renters in 2024.

1. Portland, ME

With its mix of urban amenities and scenic natural landscapes, Portland, ME, metro area strikes that perfect balance between good living (#5 for quality of life) and “location, location, location” (#5 for location and community). It’s no wonder, then, that the metro area is this year’s reigning champion when it comes to livability. After all, what’s better than the aesthetic of a historic port area?

What is the Portland metro area’s claim to fame?

• Great higher education opportunities
• Steady income growth
• Plenty of sports facilities
• Fresh food sources
• Diverse health care providers

Who is this metro area perfect for? Fitness enthusiasts, foodies and young professionals looking for a lifestyle that promotes a work/life balance.

2. Lincoln, NE

If you're a people person looking for new ways to work those conversation muscles (or an introvert learning to come out of your shell) then look no further than the Lincoln metro area. Thanks to its high rank in location and community (#2), this is the perfect spot for those who enjoy meeting up with friends for brunch or scheduling a fun weekend outing.

What is the Lincoln metro area's claim to fame?

• Cost of living is 6% below the national average
• Strong job market
• High number of social clubs and community organizations

Who is this metro area perfect for? Budget-conscious professionals, social butterflies who just love to get involved in the community and young families looking for a close-knit community.

3. Des Moines, IA

Third on our list is an Iowa gem that embodies the idea of a thriving community: Claiming the first place in location and community and 12th in socioeconomics, the Des Moines metro area is where the opportunities are plentiful and the people are hospitable.

What is the Des Moines metro area's claim to fame?

• Healthy food sources
• Cost of living is 12% below the national average
• Lively festival scene
• Focus on sustainability

Who is this metro area perfect for? Families who love outdoor activities and young professionals looking to mix business with leisure.

4. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Better known as the Twin Cities, this metro area lands in fourth place on our list when it comes to livability. With a strong focus on hospitality and physical well-being, the Minneapolis metro area shines in both quality of life (#14) and socioeconomics (#15) — in other words, fitness and fun rolled into one spot!

What is the Minneapolis metro area's claim to fame?

• A major cultural hub
• More than 30 colleges and universities
• Cost of living is 6% below the national average

Who is this metro area perfect for? Students with a passion for theater, culture vultures who can't resist a museum visit, and those who prioritize health and fitness.

5. Ann Arbor, MI

Besides its relaxed vibe (#2 for quality of life) and charming community (#17 for location and community), the Ann Arbor metro area is also the perfect spot to start your fitness journey. Of course, staying in shape is much easier when you have picture-perfect sights all around you!

What is the Ann Arbor metro area's claim to fame?

• Picturesque landscapes and green spaces
• Exciting exercise opportunities
• Focus on healthcare and healthy living
• Easy access to healthy, organic food

Who is this metro area perfect for? Fitness warriors looking for their next challenge and foodies looking to find more health-conscious friends.

6. Milwaukee, WI

Coming in at number six is the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area, where the secret to success is all about living life well (#4 in quality of life). With a strong focus on fitness, healthy living and outdoor fun, residents here have all of the green space necessary to stretch their legs.

What is the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area's claim to fame?

• Emphasis on physical well-being
• Family-friendly environment
• Commitment to sustainability

Who is this metro area perfect for? Eco-conscious residents and young families who encourage a healthy lifestyle for their little ones.

7. Washington, D.C.

Capitalizing on livability is the D.C. metro area, which offers residents a great range of perks (#4 in quality of life). From top-tier healthcare and plenty of higher education opportunities to a strong sense of community, this metro area will make anyone feel right at home!

What is the Washington, D.C. metro area's claim to fame?

• A cultural powerhouse with world-renowned institutions
• Excellent health care options
• Plenty of outdoor activities and green spaces

Who is this metro area perfect for? Academics with a passion for history and career-driven professionals who don't shy away from hard work.

8. Pittsburgh, PA

Standing out as a socially active hub (#3 in location and community) and with a higher-than-average number of college-educated residents, the Pittsburgh metro area claims the eighth spot. With a community that's as smart as it is social, it's no wonder that this metro area scores high when it comes to livability.

What is the Pittsburgh metro area's claim to fame?

• Plenty of healthy food sources
• Steady income growth
• Strong sense of community

Who is this metro area perfect for? Artists drawn to the city's architecture, young professionals and families seeking to pick up a healthier lifestyle.

9. Green Bay, WI

In ninth place, we have the Green Bay metro area, and while this Wisconsin wonder may be an unexpected dark horse, it's scoring big with residents. This is due to the metro area blending affordability (#4 for socioeconomics) with a strong sense of community (#14 for location and community).

What is the Green Bay metro area's claim to fame?

• Gorgeous natural surroundings
• Strong sense of community
• Family-friendly attractions
• Cost of living is 8% below the national average

Who is this metro area perfect for? Families who enjoy a laidback, friendly environment and those looking for a close-knit community.

10. Harrisburg, PA

Rounding out the top 10 is the Harrisburg, PA, metro area where community comes first (#4 in location and community). Thanks to its friendly vibe, beautiful scenic outdoors and growing economy, this metro area is the perfect blend of fun and hard work!

What is the Harrisburg metro area's claim to fame?

• Thriving local culture
• Healthy food options
• Outdoor fun and scenic sights

Who is this metro area perfect for? Nature lovers who crave outdoor adventures, history buffs and anyone seeking a welcoming place to call home.

Midwest locations dominate top 20 most livable metro areas list

Finding the perfect place to live might be hard, especially if you're on the hunt for a location that checks all of the boxes for livability. Fortunately, the Midwest's potential is more than obvious: Claiming 9 of the top 20 spots on our list, this region shines with high-ranking metro areas like Lincoln, NE (#2); Des Moines, IA (#3); Minneapolis (#4); Ann Arbor, MI (#5); Milwaukee (#6); and Green Bay, WI (#9).

But wait, there's more: Madison, WI (#12); Omaha, NE (#15); and Indianapolis (#16) also made the cut, each earning their place with top scores in socioeconomics. Another noteworthy mention is the presence of three Wisconsin metros in the top 10, thanks to the state’s winning combo of economic opportunities and top-notch education.

Heading over to the East Coast, Portland, ME, is crowned champion, both regionally and nationwide. In fact, the Northeast stands strong with seven cities in the top 20, including Pittsburgh, which comes in eighth nationwide and second regionally. Not to be outdone, Harrisburg, PA, (#10) and Manchester, NH, (#11) bring community vibes and quality of life into the mix, followed by Albany, NY (#13); Boston (#17); and Providence, RI (#19).

Out West, there's Colorado Springs, CO, (#14) and San Francisco (#18), both known for their outdoor activities and easy access to downtown amenities. Rounding out the top 20 is Seattle, WA, ranking high when it comes to quality of life.

And, last, but not least, representing the South, is Washington, D.C. landing in the seventh spot nationwide.

Top 5 metro areas by socioeconomics

Those hunting for metro areas that offer city living without breaking the bank should head west. Topping the charts at #1 and #2 are Utah gems Ogden and Provo. Here, the cost of living and steady income growth makes these places wallet-friendly choices for residents.

Other noteworthy mentions are Boise, ID (#3); Green Bay, WI (#4); and Salt Lake City (#5). While the Boise and Salt Lake City metros shine with their steady increase in income, Green Bay rounds out the top 10 most livable metro areas nationwide.

Top 5 metro areas by quality of life

If minding your budget isn't your top priority — but quality of life is — we’ve got five metro areas that are perfect for those eager to embrace their social and fitness goals. Topping the list is the San Francisco metro area, where diverse exercise opportunities and healthy food options are plentiful. However, this California hub doesn’t just cater to the body: It’s also all about mindful living, making mental wellness a big priority.

In second place we have the Ann Arbor, MI, metro (ranking sixth for overall livability). Close behind is Boston (#3), with Milwaukee and Washington, D.C., tied for fourth place — all three offering top-tier fitness and lifestyle perks. Rounding out the top five is Portland, ME, which also ranks first nationwide when it comes to livability.

Top 5 metro areas by location and community

The people make the place, and this is especially true when it comes to tightly knit communities. Leading the pack in this category is Des Moines, IA, which also ranks fourth nationwide for its overall livability.

Right on its heels are Lincoln, NE (#2); Pittsburgh (#3); Harrisburg, PA (#4); and Portland, ME, all of which have made their way into the top 20 most livable metros nationwide. So, if you’re looking for a place where everyone feels like family, these metros are ready to welcome you with open arms.

Methodology

Update as of October 1st:  Due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville, NC, we have temporarily removed the city from our livability rankings. Our thoughts are with the residents of Asheville as they navigate this challenging time. We are confident that the strong community and inherent strengths that initially earned Asheville the 3rd place for livability nationwide will enable the city to recover and rebuild.

To ensure our list remains comprehensive and informative, we've added a runner-up to the top 20: Seattle.

The Most Livable Metro Areas ranking was compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website that enables renters to easily find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.

We considered only contiguous metropolitan areas with a population of at least 300,000 as "suitable candidates" for the most livable metros. In the end, we worked with a total of 140 metropolitan areas for the ranking.

To determine the most livable metropolitan area, the RentCafe.com analytics team used a composite index to compare metros across 3 main categories: Socioeconomics, Quality of Life and Location and Community.

The three main categories included a total of 17 relevant metrics. Each metric received a score based on a minimum and maximum value multiplied by the metric's weight.

To create the categories index, the ranking process was repeated and then the results were multiplied by each category's overall weight.

Category 1: Socioeconomics, Category weight: 20%

1. Cost of Living (vs. National): Weight: 20%. Source: The Cost of Living Index.
2. Income Growth Rate: Weight: 20%. Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2022 - 5-Year Estimates.
3. Poverty Rate: Weight: 20%. Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2022 - 5-Year Estimates.
4. Unemployment Rate: Weight: 20%. Source: Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2022 - 5-Year Estimates.
5. Income Inequality (Top/Bottom Earnings Ratio): Weight: 20%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org and Bureau of Census - American Community Survey 2022 - 5-Year Estimates

Category 2: Quality of Life, Category weight: 40%

1. Poor Physical Health Days: 10%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
2. Poor Mental Health Days: Weight: 10%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
3. Food Environment Index: Weight: 20%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org, USDA Food Environment Atlas and Map the Meal Gap from Feeding America.
4. Access to Exercise Opportunities: Weight: 15%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org, ArcGIS Business Analyst and ArcGIS Online; YMCA; US Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.
5. Physical Inactivity: Weight: 10%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
6. Uninsured: Weight: 15%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates.
7. Health Care Providers per 10,000 Population: Weight: 20%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org.

Category 3: Quality of Life, Category weight: 40%

1. Highly Educated Residents: Weight: 20%. Source: American Community Survey 2022 - 5-Year Estimates.
2. Social Association Rate: Weight: 10%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org, Census County Business Patterns.
3. Severe Housing Problems: Weight: 30%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org, Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) data.
4. Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishments per 10,000 Population: Weight: 20%. Source: American Community Survey 2022 - 5-Year Estimates.
5. Long Commute: Weight: 20%. Source: CountyHealthRankings.org, American Community Survey, 5-Year estimates.

Fair use and redistribution

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