Acroterion (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons #1 Best City 89 Newcastle
Wyoming, USA
SafetyA+
Cost—
Growth—
Median Income$82,734
Rankings
Best Cities to Live in 2026
Data-driven rankings based on affordability, safety, lifestyle, and economic strength.
Choosing where to live is one of the most important decisions individuals and families make. Housing costs, employment opportunities, safety, healthcare access, education, transportation, climate, and overall quality of life all play significant roles in determining whether a city is a good fit.
The Urblytica Best Cities to Live Rankings are designed to help you compare cities using a data-driven methodology that evaluates key livability factors across multiple dimensions. Rather than focusing on a single metric such as income or housing costs, our rankings consider the overall balance between affordability, economic opportunity, safety, lifestyle amenities, and long-term quality of life.
Whether you are relocating for work, searching for a family-friendly community, planning retirement, or simply exploring your options, these rankings provide valuable insight into how cities compare across important categories. Our model combines publicly available data from government agencies, economic reports, housing-market indicators, demographic statistics, and quality-of-life measurements to create a comprehensive livability score for each city — a practical resource for identifying communities that offer strong value, healthy local economies, reasonable living costs, and attractive lifestyles.
How Urblytica Determines the Best Cities to Live
Our city rankings are based on a composite scoring system that evaluates multiple factors affecting everyday life. Each city receives a weighted score that reflects its overall livability relative to other cities in the dataset.
Affordability
- Median rent levels
- Housing affordability
- Cost of living indexes
- Utility expenses
- Consumer purchasing power
Income & Economic Opportunity
- Median household income
- Average salary levels
- Employment growth
- Labor market strength
- Business activity
Safety & Community Stability
Safety is a major factor in quality of life. Our analysis incorporates available crime and community-stability indicators, normalized per 100,000 residents where data is available.
Healthcare Access
Access to quality healthcare contributes significantly to long-term well-being. We examine healthcare availability, medical infrastructure, and related quality indicators.
Education & Family Friendliness
For families and students, educational opportunities matter. Indicators may include school availability, higher-education access, and broader community-development measures.
Lifestyle & Environment
- Climate conditions
- Recreational opportunities
- Walkability
- Cultural amenities
- Parks & outdoor activities
Composite Livability Score
All factors are combined into a weighted scoring model that generates an overall score from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate stronger overall performance across multiple quality-of-life categories.
Acroterion (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons #1 Best City 89 
Republic of Selmaria (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons #2 Best City 80 Madison
Alabama, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth85
Avg. Rent$1,358
Median Income$134,655
Cost of Living96/100
TulGuy (CC0) via Wikimedia Commons #3 Best City 79 Owasso
Oklahoma, USA
SafetyA+
CostB-
Growth72
Avg. Rent$1,214
Median Income$79,036
Cost of Living94/100
Tea
#4 Best City 78
Tea
South Dakota, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth88
Avg. Rent$1,350
Median Income$88,500
Cost of Living96/100
Horace
#5 Best City 78
Horace
North Dakota, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth85
Avg. Rent$1,450
Median Income$115,000
Cost of Living98/100
Ankeny
#6 Best City 77
Ankeny
Iowa, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth88
Avg. Rent$1,450
Median Income$98,500
Cost of Living96/100
Brandon
#7 Best City 77
Brandon
South Dakota, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth77
Avg. Rent$1,250
Median Income$85,000
Cost of Living96/100
AlabasterPIO (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons #8 Best City 76 Alabaster
Alabama, USA
SafetyA-
Cost—
Growth—
Median Income$91,357
Bentonville
#9 Best City 76
Bentonville
Arkansas, USA
SafetyA-
CostC+
Growth88
Avg. Rent$2,000
Median Income$112,792
Cost of Living102/100
Madison
#10 Best City 76
Madison
South Dakota, USA
SafetyB+
Cost—
Growth55
Avg. Rent$774
Median Income$65,593
Urbandale
#11 Best City 75
Urbandale
Iowa, USA
SafetyA
CostB
Growth70
Avg. Rent$1,021
Median Income$112,795
Cost of Living90/100
Harrisburg
#12 Best City 75
Harrisburg
South Dakota, USA
SafetyA
CostC+
Growth90
Avg. Rent$1,265
Median Income$108,724
Cost of Living101/100
Surprise
#13 Best City 75
Surprise
Arizona, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth82
Avg. Rent$2,100
Median Income$96,711
Cost of Living98/100
Gillette
#14 Best City 74
Gillette
Wyoming, USA
SafetyB+
Cost—
Growth70
Median Income$81,316
Carmel
#15 Best City 74
Carmel
Indiana, USA
SafetyA+
CostB-
Growth73
Avg. Rent$2,450
Median Income$141,505
Cost of Living96/100
Bella Vista
#16 Best City 74
Bella Vista
Arkansas, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth79
Avg. Rent$1,900
Median Income$88,055
Cost of Living96/100
Catlin Mary Ann Miller (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons #17 Best City 74 Laramie
Wyoming, USA
SafetyA+
CostB-
Growth70
Avg. Rent$1,149
Median Income$55,613
Cost of Living95/100
JJBers (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons #18 Best City 74 East Hartford
Connecticut, USA
SafetyA+
CostB-
Growth65
Avg. Rent$1,583
Median Income$70,778
Cost of Living95/100
Jenks
#19 Best City 74
Jenks
Oklahoma, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth75
Avg. Rent$1,500
Median Income$98,500
Cost of Living98/100
Noblesville
#20 Best City 74
Noblesville
Indiana, USA
SafetyA-
CostB-
Growth78
Avg. Rent$1,550
Median Income$94,500
Cost of Living98/100
Marion
#21 Best City 73
Marion
Iowa, USA
SafetyA-
CostB-
Growth77
Avg. Rent$1,250
Median Income$84,500
Cost of Living93/100
West Fargo
#22 Best City 73
West Fargo
North Dakota, USA
SafetyA-
CostB
Growth82
Avg. Rent$1,700
Median Income$90,665
Cost of Living92/100
Seward
#23 Best City 73
Seward
Alaska, USA
SafetyB
Cost—
Growth70
Median Income$85,481
Papillion
#24 Best City 73
Papillion
Nebraska, USA
SafetyB
CostC+
Growth70
Avg. Rent$1,800
Median Income$111,679
Cost of Living104/100
Ammon
#25 Best City 73
Ammon
Idaho, USA
SafetyA-
CostB-
Growth75
Avg. Rent$1,450
Median Income$78,500
Cost of Living96/100
Rogers
#26 Best City 72
Rogers
Arkansas, USA
SafetyB+
CostB
Growth82
Avg. Rent$1,600
Median Income$86,728
Cost of Living92/100
Sioux Falls
#27 Best City 72
Sioux Falls
South Dakota, USA
SafetyB+
CostB
Growth78
Avg. Rent$1,327
Median Income$75,970
Cost of Living88/100
West Des Moines
#28 Best City 72
West Des Moines
Iowa, USA
SafetyA-
CostB-
Growth79
Avg. Rent$1,450
Median Income$88,500
Cost of Living98/100
Greer
#29 Best City 72
Greer
South Carolina, USA
SafetyC+
CostB
Growth85
Avg. Rent$1,800
Median Income$82,626
Cost of Living91/100
Sweetmoose6 at English Wikipedia (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons #30 Best City 72 Homewood
Alabama, USA
SafetyB+
CostB
Growth73
Avg. Rent$1,400
Median Income$94,485
Cost of Living92/100
Norfolk
#31 Best City 72
Norfolk
Nebraska, USA
SafetyA-
CostB
Growth65
Avg. Rent$1,100
Median Income$58,884
Cost of Living92/100
Shawnee
#32 Best City 72
Shawnee
Kansas, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth76
Avg. Rent$1,450
Median Income$95,400
Cost of Living98/100
Gorham
#33 Best City 72
Gorham
Maine, USA
SafetyA-
CostC+
Growth75
Avg. Rent$1,800
Median Income$112,312
Cost of Living108/100
Kuna
#34 Best City 72
Kuna
Idaho, USA
SafetyA-
CostB-
Growth85
Avg. Rent$1,750
Median Income$78,500
Cost of Living98/100
Goodyear
#35 Best City 72
Goodyear
Arizona, USA
SafetyA-
CostC+
Growth85
Avg. Rent$2,150
Median Income$103,319
Cost of Living103/100
AppalachianCentrist (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons #36 Best City 72 Kingsport
Tennessee, USA
SafetyB
Cost—
Growth—
Avg. Rent$1,400
Median Income$52,490
St. Peters
#37 Best City 72
St. Peters
Missouri, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth75
Avg. Rent$1,568
Median Income$91,637
Cost of Living96/100
Rivers Langley SaveRivers (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons #38 Best City 71 Auburn
Alabama, USA
SafetyA-
CostB-
Growth80
Avg. Rent$2,032
Median Income$63,668
Cost of Living96/100
Johntrinh06 (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons #39 Best City 71 Hoover
Alabama, USA
SafetyB-
CostB+
Growth72
Avg. Rent$2,175
Median Income$109,253
Cost of Living85/100
Fishers
#40 Best City 71
Fishers
Indiana, USA
SafetyA
CostC+
Growth84
Avg. Rent$1,650
Median Income$115,000
Cost of Living108/100
Olathe
#41 Best City 71
Olathe
Kansas, USA
SafetyA-
CostB-
Growth77
Avg. Rent$1,450
Median Income$95,500
Cost of Living98/100
Maricopa
#42 Best City 71
Maricopa
Arizona, USA
SafetyA-
CostB-
Growth82
Avg. Rent$1,799
Median Income$96,391
Cost of Living95/100
Idaho Falls
#43 Best City 71
Idaho Falls
Idaho, USA
SafetyA-
CostB-
Growth76
Avg. Rent$1,350
Median Income$74,500
Cost of Living93/100
Gilbert
#44 Best City 71
Gilbert
Arizona, USA
SafetyA
CostC+
Growth80
Avg. Rent$2,400
Median Income$122,551
Cost of Living104/100
Independence
#45 Best City 71
Independence
Kentucky, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth72
Avg. Rent$1,450
Median Income$82,500
Cost of Living96/100
Cabot
#46 Best City 71
Cabot
Arkansas, USA
SafetyA-
CostB
Growth74
Avg. Rent$1,050
Median Income$75,000
Cost of Living88/100
#47 Best City 71 Grand Blanc
Michigan, USA
SafetyA
CostB-
Growth60
Avg. Rent$983
Median Income$70,518
Cost of Living95/100
Belgrade
#48 Best City 71
Belgrade
Montana, USA
SafetyA-
CostC+
Growth82
Avg. Rent$2,000
Median Income$97,328
Cost of Living105/100
Fargo
#49 Best City 71
Fargo
North Dakota, USA
SafetyB+
CostB
Growth74
Avg. Rent$1,100
Median Income$71,500
Cost of Living92/100
Wentzville
#50 Best City 71
Wentzville
Missouri, USA
SafetyA-
CostC+
Growth85
Avg. Rent$1,345
Median Income$112,394
Cost of Living102/100
Key Trends Among Top-Ranked Cities
Several patterns consistently emerge among the highest-ranked cities in our database.
Balanced Affordability Beats Low Cost Alone
The lowest-cost cities don't always rank highest. Top performers achieve a healthy balance between income levels and living expenses, not just cheap housing.
Strong Job Markets Drive Long-Term Livability
Cities with growing economies, diverse employment, and competitive wages perform well across multiple categories — economic health lifts every other metric.
Mid-Sized Cities Continue to Gain Popularity
Many people are moving toward mid-sized cities offering lower housing costs, less congestion, and strong local economies — big-metro benefits without big-metro prices.
Quality of Life Extends Beyond Income
High salaries alone don't guarantee a strong ranking. Safety, healthcare access, housing affordability, and community amenities significantly influence overall livability.
Regional Differences Remain Significant
Housing costs, taxes, climate, and economic opportunity vary considerably across regions. Evaluate rankings alongside your personal preferences and lifestyle goals.
Why Compare Cities Before Relocating?
Relocating can significantly affect financial stability, career opportunities, family life, and personal well-being. Comparing cities before making a move helps you identify locations that align with your goals and priorities. Because everyone values different factors, Urblytica lets you explore cities based on your own preferences.
For Remote Workers
- Lower housing costs
- Better quality of life
- Reduced commuting
- Outdoor recreation access
For Families
- Safe neighborhoods
- Educational opportunities
- Healthcare access
- Community services
- Long-term affordability
For Young Professionals
- Job markets
- Income potential
- Networking opportunities
- Economic growth
- Urban amenities
For Retirees
- Cost of living
- Healthcare availability
- Climate
- Community engagement
- Tax considerations
Where these figures come from
These rankings are built from researched estimates, not a licensed data feed. For each city an AI research pipeline searches the live web and extracts the figures from what it finds; the classes of source below are what that search draws on. Every city page records which research pass produced its numbers and when they were last refreshed, and the data-sources page sets out what that does and does not mean.
National statistical offices
Labour-market releases
Rental & home-price reporting
Published crime statistics
Local government open data
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The best city to live in depends on individual priorities such as affordability, career opportunities, climate, safety, education, and lifestyle preferences. Urblytica's rankings help users compare cities using objective data across multiple categories.
City rankings are generated using a composite scoring model that evaluates factors including cost of living, income potential, housing affordability, healthcare access, economic strength, and overall quality of life.
Important considerations include housing costs, employment opportunities, taxes, transportation, healthcare, education, climate, safety, and access to amenities.
Not necessarily. Many high-performing cities offer strong income potential while maintaining reasonable living costs. Affordability and quality of life often matter more than income alone.
Rankings are updated periodically as new economic, housing, demographic, and quality-of-life data becomes available.