From tiny towns to bustling burgs, every city in America generates a sense of hometown pride. But for people who are looking for a new place to put down roots, some cities stand apart from the rest.

To determine the Best Places to Live rankings, U.S. News analyzes data on 150 major U.S. cities, including housing affordability, household income, quality of education, access to health care, crime rates, commute times, air quality and more. A shift from metro-based data, used in previous editions of the rankings, to city-based data this year resulted in many new appearances in the top 25 from places located in the Midwest and South.

The data is weighted based on the factors people consider most important, as determined by a survey of more than 3,000 people throughout the U.S. that asks what matters most to them when picking their next place to live. This year's survey found an increased interest in cost of living, with greater emphasis placed on the job market and value categories. Read on for the 25 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025.

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Population: 119,280
Median Home Price: $133,774
Median Household Income: $56,890

South Bend is known for being home to the University of Notre Dame, but it's more than just a college town. The Midwestern city began as a fur trading post thanks in part to its convenient seat on the St. Joseph River. Today, the river offers ample opportunities, like kayaking and whitewater rafting, for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy right through the heart of downtown. The Bend, as it's known to locals, stands out thanks to high rankings for quality of life (No. 19) and value (No. 18), with affordable housing costs relative to income. South Bend is the third-safest place to live in our analysis, with the least property crime of any other ranked city.

Learn more about South Bend.

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Population: 297,005
Median Home Price: $234,589
Median Household Income: $77,421

Lincoln is the capital of the Cornhusker State and home to the University of Nebraska. As both the seat of state government and the epicenter of higher education in Nebraska, Lincoln has an outsized advantage when it comes to employment opportunities. Additionally, several prominent insurance companies, including Assurity and Ameritas, are headquartered in Lincoln, helping the city earn high marks in the job market category of our analysis, ranking No. 25. Your salary will take you far in Lincoln, which scored No. 15 for value, including housing affordability and price parity – how the cost of goods and services compares across metro areas.

Learn more about Lincoln.

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Population: 317,834
Median Home Price: $213,643
Median Household Income: $65,849

Greensboro has all the hallmarks of a midsized Southern city: affordability, economic growth and historical significance. The 1960 Greensboro sit-in to end segregation was a watershed moment for the civil rights movement – one that's now immortalized in the city's International Civil Rights Center & Museum. One thing that sets Greensboro apart from other similar-sized cities in the South is its highly rated public school system, which earns it the No. 7 rank for college readiness. All told, Greensboro strikes a balance between quality of life (No. 27) and value (No. 30), solidifying its status as one of the Best Places to Live.

Learn more about Greensboro.

Population: 876,910
Median Home Price: $1,381,264
Median Household Income: $145,255

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In San Francisco, Old World charm collides with Big Tech innovation. The Bay Area is home to many of the world's largest technology companies and the six-figure salaries their workforces command, which is one reason why San Francisco has the No. 1 job market of any city we analyzed. San Francisco also excels in desirability, ranking No. 13 in the country thanks in part to a pleasant climate (No. 4) and a high concentration of restaurants and bars per capita (No. 8). However, San Francisco underperformed in the value category, ranking No. 139. That said, modern-day prospectors who can strike gold with a lucrative career in IT may be able to afford the cost of living.

Learn more about San Francisco.

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Population: 113,010
Median Home Price: $281,646
Median Household Income: $70,165

Nestled within the Ozarks is a flourishing mountain town that comes alive during college football season: Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. But Fayetteville isn't just an academic center for undergrads – it's also the No. 1 city in the country for college readiness among high school students, based on data from the U.S. News Best High Schools rankings. Overall, Fayetteville earned high marks for both quality of life (No. 15) and net migration (No. 14), carefully balancing rapid growth with quality social services like education and health care.

Learn more about Fayetteville.

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Population: 324,953
Median Home Price: $169,485
Median Household Income: $71,507

Like many midsized Midwestern cities, Fort Wayne is an affordable, safe, family-friendly place to put down roots. Fort Wayne ranks No. 1 in the country for value: Its residents spend less than a fifth of their income on housing costs, making it the most........

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