The 50 best places to live in America

Population: 5,538,837

Average annual salary: $49,430

Quality of life: 5.8

Value: 7

An attractive blend of big city and big country, Atlanta is attracting transplants far and wide with its award-winning restaurants, culture centers, and flourishing job market. More than a dozen Fortune 500 companies call the city home, including Delta, The Home Depot, and The Coca-Cola Company, and it's an increasingly popular spot for film productions.

In addition, "The Chattahoochee River that traverses the metro area, and Stone Mountain, the world's largest chunk of exposed granite, located just northeast of the city proper, also offer a quick escape from any urban anxiety," says one local expert.

Population: 553,591

Average annual salary: $45,470

Quality of life: 7.3

Value: 6.1

Between fishing, boating, and a plethora of bars and restaurants, there's never a shortage of things to do in the Melbourne area. The city's ripe with retirees and "snowbirds" — people who split their time between colder climates in the summer and Florida in the winter — who can enjoy days on one of the many nearby golf courses and nights out exploring the local shops and art galleries.

Population: 2,055,675

Average annual salary: $47,640

Quality of life: 6.1

Value: 7.5

Don't call it a flyover city. Innovation, creativity, and a celebrated history combine to make Kansas City a hub of activity. In addition to a low cost of living and an abundance of jobs, residents enjoy exploring the city's thriving art scene, cheering on the Royals during baseball season, and noshing on Kansas City's signature style of barbecue — slow cooked and topped with a tomato-based sauce.

Population: 1,570,006

Average annual salary: $48,170

Quality of life: 7

Value: 6.6

Fun abounds in Milwaukee, where residents enjoy lakefront museums, weekly fish fries, and lively nightlife. The city hosts dozens of festivals each year, the mecca of which is Summerfest, which goes on for 11 days, features hundreds of bands, and touts itself as "the largest music festival in the world."

New residents can capitalize on Milwaukee's real estate scene, which is a buyer's market, thanks to an abundance of homes up for grabs.

Population: 984,178

Average annual salary: $49,320

Quality of life: 6.2

Value: 4.5

Often considered the cultural and culinary hub of the Hawaiian islands, according to U.S. News' local expert, Honolulu abounds with shopping centers, restaurants, and miles of beaches. It's on the expensive side when it comes to cost of living — but you can't beat the year-round tropical temperatures.

Population: 1,401,600

Average annual salary: $43,460

Quality of life: 6.7

Value: 6.1

Jacksonville's beach-adjacent location makes it ideal for outdoor activities. In addition to spending lazy days in the sand, residents can also visit the area's prime golf courses or go hiking, camping, and kayaking in the nearby parks. Jacksonville also continues to grow, with burgeoning art and music scenes, as well as new business development, according to a local expert.

Population: 4,407,915

Average annual salary: $46,700

Quality of life: 6.1

Value: 6.6

Come for the weather, stay for the city: Phoenix boasts more sunny days per year than any other city in the US, according to a local expert. But it's the thriving job market, variety of shops and restaurants, and easy access to numerous outdoor activities — think everything from hiking to paddleboarding — that keep residents happy long-term.

Population: 1,261,936

Average annual salary: $43,410

Quality of life: 6.2

Value: 7.7

Many Louisville residents find work in healthcare, business, tourism, and technology, with companies like YUM Brands, Humana, and Ford offering opportunities for employment.

Tourists and locals alike come together each spring at Churchill Downs for the two-week Kentucky Derby festival, filled with mint juleps, Kentucky bourbon, and some horse racing, too.

Population: 541,124

Average annual salary: $40,870

Quality of life: 6.4

Value: 7.2

Chattanooga's innovation district has become home to a growing number of tech startups and incubators, underscoring the city's commitment to entrepreneurship and collaboration. In spite of a multi-million dollar riverfront project, the city maintains its down-home vibe with staples like farmer's markets and small businesses.

"Chattanoogans are proud of where they live. Plenty of business names start with 'Chatta,' end in 'Nooga' or reference the 'Scenic City,' Chattanooga's nickname," says a local expert.

Population: 530,216

Average annual salary: $42,150

Quality of life: 7.2

Value: 6.9

In Lancaster, residents can breeze through numerous environments in the course of a day, from rolling farmland to busy city streets to quiet suburbs. Though dairy farming rules the economy here, major companies, including Kellogg's and Mars, also call the area home.

Lancaster might be famous for its Amish and Mennonite population, but the town is also bustling with a mix of college students and non-religious families.

Population: 2,277,816

Average annual salary: $41,460

Quality of life: 6.9

Value: 5

There's more to Orlando than Disney World. Head downtown for a ticket to the hottest restaurants and nightclubs of the moment or trek out to the residential sector filled with picturesque lakefront homes.

That's not to say locals don't appreciate the tourist traps. The parks serve as a point of pride for many long-term residents, according to one local expert. "The theme parks' special pricing for local residents along with the widespread employment that the parks offer have largely endeared them to the community," he explained.

Population: 1,083,156

Average annual salary: $47,590

Quality of life: 7

Value: 7.4

The cost of living is far below the national average in Rochester, which is New York state's third-largest metro area and home to 15 colleges and universities. Only about 20% of the area's residents live within the city limits, but according to a local expert, "the tide may be turning" thanks to new luxury housing developments downtown.

"Ultimately, Rochester's biggest asset is its people. Residents are generally considered to be warmer, kinder and more welcoming than their downstate brethren," says the local expert.

Population: 722,684

Average annual salary: $42,530

Quality of life: 6.3

Value: 7.7

Little Rock's tech scene is booming, especially in the aerospace and aviation sectors, thanks to close proximity to companies like Lockheed Martin. The city touts a cost of living lower than the national average and sees new multi-unit and single-family homes built every day.

There's plenty to do in Arkansas' capital as well, from grabbing a cold one at one of the area's local breweries to exploring the breathtaking Ozark mountains.

Population: 651,630

Average annual salary: $42,960

Quality of life: 6.8

Value: 7.2

The cost of living in Winston-Salem is a bargain. The city's average housing costs remain well below the national average — renters pay about $200 less per month for a one-bedroom apartment than their counterparts around the country.

Residents can also take advantage of the city's cultural offerings with visits to the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

Population: 1,318,408

Average annual salary: $44,280

Quality of life: 6.1

Value: 7.5

Oklahoma City's warm weather and low housing prices make it an up-and-coming place to live. Due to a recent inundation of millennials, the city now brims with energy, creativity, and new ideas, according to a local expert.

"The community's greatest asset is its people," he said. "The community is tight-knit, willing to offer a friendly hello, and ever aware that their city is really a small town at heart."

Population: 2,888,458

Average annual salary: $44,510

Quality of life: 6.6

Value: 5

Tampa's laid-back atmosphere, warm weather, and barrage of entertainment options make it feel like a trip to paradise. "Living in the Tampa Bay is like being on vacation all year," said a local expert.

Tampa hasn't been overtaken by tourists, however. It retains several niche communities, including a strong Cuban influence in historic Ybor City, formerly known as the "cigar capital of the world."

Population: 558,198

Average annual salary: $46,520

Quality of life: 7.1

Value: 7.5

Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River and the foothills of the Appalachian Trail, Harrisburg offers residents unlimited access to the outdoors. Many are employed by the state and federal government in Harrisburg, but there's also several large private-sector companies that are top employers, including Hershey's, Rite Aid, and D&H Distributing.

Population: 1,135,734

Average annual salary: $45,060

Quality of life: 6.8

Value: 7.8

Once a hub of industry, Buffalo's economy began to slow after the Great Depression. However, the city is experiencing a renaissance, with new businesses popping up and a growing medical corridor reviving downtown, according to a local expert.

Buffalo residents love their sports and are always game to brave the snow if it means cheering the Bills or the Sabres on to victory.

Population: 2,320,323

Average annual salary: $52,140

Quality of life: 6.5

Value: 6.3

Portland isn't for everybody — its slogan is "Keep Portland Weird," after all. But one local expert asserts that it's a "well-rounded city with more than just the offbeat shops and events" and a population that has "more academic degrees than the national average."

An annual job growth rate of 2.9% per year is attributed to roots in the technology sector, including major employer Intel Corporation, as well as the 6,000-employee headquarters for Nike, located about seven miles outside of Portland.

Population: 1,214,056

Average annual salary: $56,870

Quality of life: 7.2

Value: 6.6

Located in the Connecticut River Valley, Hartford was once the home to notable historic figures, including Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Among the city's historic attractions, today it offers nearby entertainment venues, ski slopes, state parks.

The aerospace, healthcare, and financial services industries dominate the job market in Hartford, which is home to Aetna Inc., United Technologies Corp., and Hartford Hospital.

Population: 877,846

Average annual salary: $50,880

Quality of life: 7

Value: 7.3

Despite the snowy winters, living in Albany comes with several advantages. Albany offers a cost of living lower than the national average and the cost of housing sits well below the rest of the US as a whole. In terms of jobs, the city's tech and healthcare industries are on the rise.

Albany's downtown is lined with art galleries, wine shops, and churches for visitors to peruse. In keeping with the city's cold climate, hockey is the sport of choice for residents.

Population: 852,631

Average annual salary: $41,010

Quality of life: 6.6

Value: 7.3

Once a sleepy small town, Greenville has witnessed a cultural revival in recent years, complete with an influx of new restaurants and businesses. Though the summers can get hot, the city's typically mild weather make it possible to explore downtown on foot anytime of the year.

An influx of manufacturing jobs have also boosted Greenville's economy, with brand-name companies, such as GE and Michelin, setting up shop in town.

Population: 661,914

Average annual salary: $47,330

Quality of life: 7.1

Value: 6.8

It might get 124 inches (or more!) of snow per year, but don't let the blustery climate deter you: Syracuse boasts a low cost of living, easy access to both the city center and surrounding suburbs, and a host of cultural activities, including the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

Home to Syracuse University, the town also rallies behind the Orange during basketball season, cheering the team to victory.

Population: 712,232

Average annual salary: $43,560

Quality of life: 6

Value: 6.1

Charleston's charming, historic, and sophisticated ambiance is exemplary of southern culture. "Not only is the area overflowing with entertainment and good food, but this low country locale is also gorgeous," said a local expert.

Tourism is booming in Charleston, creating plenty of jobs, especially in the summer months. Year-round, jobs in tech, sales, marketing, and advertising keep the city's economy strong.

Population: 520,893

Average annual salary: $46,520

Quality of life: 7.4

Value: 6.8

Located right on the water at Casco Bay and lined with cobblestone streets, Portland immediately evokes the quaintness of a much smaller town. Between fishing, sailing, cross-country skiing, and exploring the city's buzzing nightlife, there's no shortage of things to do. Seafood lovers can nosh on fresh catches at the city's modern oyster bars and or grab one of Maine's signature lobster rolls.

Population: 895,919

Average annual salary: $44,920

Quality of life: 6.6

Value: 8

Due to a combination of Omaha's history of cattle ranching and its current landscape of bustling tech startups, the city has earned the nickname "Silicon Prairie." Plus, eight Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Omaha, including Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific Railroad, and Mutual of Omaha. Young professionals and families are attracted to the city primarily for its affordability, safety, and strong economy.

Population: 1,246,215

Average annual salary: $47,880

Quality of life: 6.7

Value: 7.1

Ripe with American history, Richmond is home to significant historical sites, like the church where Patrick Henry gave the famous "give me liberty or give me death" speech. It's also home to a slew of more modern attractions, including museums, concert venues, restaurants, and two universities: Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond.

Population: 2,286,702

Average annual salary: $43,740

Quality of life: 6.5

Value: 7.3

At once a destination city and a down-home community, San Antonio offers up a variety of cuisines, music styles, and art for visitors and locals. The city hosts "more than 50 major events and festivals throughout the year," a number of which honor the area's Spanish heritage, said a local expert. San Antonio is home to four military and air force bases and camps, collectively known as Joint Base San Antonio.

Population: 3,223,096

Average annual salary: $54,210

Quality of life: 7.3

Value: 4.4

With year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches to boot, it's easy to enjoy living in San Diego. According to U.S. News, this Southern California gem "offers world-class dining, professional sports, and entertainment options" for college students, young professionals, and families alike.

Tourism is a huge industry in San Diego — which sees more than 30 million visitors annually — but the city's seaside location is more than just eye candy. Some of the area's largest employers include the US Navy and the Marine Corps.

Population: 735,767

Average annual salary: $40,600

Quality of life: 7.4

Value: 5.1

Sarasota boasts "warm temperatures year-round, award-winning beaches, and a thriving arts and cultural scene," said a local expert. The biggest employers in Sarasota are in education, trade, and transportation, and the leisure and hospitality sector touts a low unemployment rate powered by a recent increase in tourism and a flood of new residents.

Population: 6,346,653

Average annual salary: $51,830

Quality of life: 6.4

Value: 7.5

Houston is a major player in the oil and gas, manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare industries — it's also home to 26 Fortune 500 companies. According to one local expert, "a paycheck goes further in Houston than it does in other major cities, with affordable housing and free or cheap attractions." Plus, the city has an affinity for food, counting some 11,000 restaurants within its boundaries.

Population: 1,017,877

Average annual salary: $42,950

Quality of life: 7.5

Value: 7.9

Grand Rapids attracts "college students and young families with its healthy job market, affordable housing, and outdoor recreational activities," said a local expert. The self-proclaimed "Beer City USA" has more than 40 breweries as well as dynamic public art and music scenes.

Once a hub for furniture production, Grand Rapids' job market is now dominated by education and healthcare, with many opportunities for workers without a college degree.

Population: 627,618

Average annual salary: $49,030

Quality of life: 7.2

Value: 7.2

Wisconsin's capital is a "hotbed of the healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing industries," said a local expert. The area is also home to the University of Wisconsin at Madison, providing hundreds of jobs in education. Madison has a unique food culture that's a blend of fine dining and farmer's markets catering to the city's college students, young professionals, and families.

Population: 3,458,790

Average annual salary: $53,450

Quality of life: 6.9

Value: 7.8

The Twin Cities have "big-city amenities like museums and sports stadiums, but also have an approachable, Midwestern feel," according to a local expert. Residents are accustomed to the area's changing seasons, participating in ice fishing and cross-country skiing in the winter and music festivals and baseball games in the spring and summer. Jobs are available in science-focused fields at companies like Xcel Energy and Medtronic as well as retail corporations like Best Buy and Target.

Population: 4,528,894

Average annual salary: $66,900

Quality of life: 6.5

Value: 5.6

A local expert described San Francisco as "the heart of the bohemian lifestyle, the epicenter of the LGBT rights movement, and the launching point of the technology era." In the last decade, thousands of tech companies have raced to set up shop in the Bay Area, sending the cost of living through the roof. But despite all the focus on the tech and startup scene, the city also has plenty of business jobs available with more than 30 international finance headquarters.

Population: 6,833,420

Average annual salary: $49,030

Quality of life: 6.5

Value: 7.4

A healthy balance of urban and rural, Dallas offers residents "big-city excitement and quiet, suburban living," shared one local expert. There's local bars, retail shops, and plenty of sports spirit to satisfy the huge population. The city — with large large employers in business, finance, and education — is teeming with young professionals.

Population: 2,338,792

Average annual salary: $48,370

Quality of life: 6.5

Value: 7.4

A "melting pot effect" draws all types of people to Charlotte, a place with "equal parts old-fashioned southern charm and high-energy cosmopolitan bustle," touted one local expert. NASCAR and motorsports are a cultural cornerstone of Charlotte. The Queen City houses Bank of America's headquarters and major offices for Wells Fargo, making it one of the largest financial hubs in the country.

Population: 1,761,848

Average annual salary: $44,700

Quality of life: 6.5

Value: 7.2

Honky-tonk culture and an entrepreneurial spirit define Nashville. "A blossoming job market and an exploding entertainment scene [are] fueling an appetite (and thirst) for all things locally sourced and artisanal in craft," a local expert said. Thousands of residents work in healthcare at the area's large hospitals and research centers, small startups, and business accelerator programs.

Population: 651,402

Average annual salary: $42,180

Quality of life: 7.3

Value: 7.3

Idaho's capital city is "a recreationalist’s paradise," according to one local expert, who also said Boise sits "squarely on the boundary of urban and rural, civilized and wild, refined and raw." The region is home to more than 22,000 Boise State University students and provides jobs at government agencies as well as in tech and healthcare.

Population: 678,364

Average annual salary: $47,600

Quality of life: 6.6

Value: 7.2

Colorado Springs is "booming, with new residences popping up alongside quality schools, parks, and cultural attractions," touts a local expert. The city is just an hour drive from Denver and in close proximity to Aspen and Vail's world-class ski resorts. Military jobs influence Colorado Springs' culture and economy, but jobs are also available in medical innovation and tech.

Population: 2,325,531

Average annual salary: $44,752

Quality of life: 6.9

Value: 7.7

Salt Lake City might experience some of the snowiest weather in the country, but residents make the most of it through the multitude of ski resorts perched in the city's backyard. In warmer weather, residents can take advantage of Salt Lake's more than 900 acres of public parks and enjoy outdoor performances from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Temple Square.

Population: 601,187

Average annual salary: $47,170

Quality of life: 6.8

Value: 8.5

Des Moines is drawing millennials and young families alike for its "one-of-a-kind shops, locally owned restaurants, and hip bars" as well as its historical residences in quiet neighborhoods, said a local expert. Home to more than 80 insurance companies including giants Allied Insurance and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, the job market is thriving.

Population: 4,694,565

Average annual salary: $62,070

Quality of life: 6.7

Value: 5.8

Boston attracts a diverse group of residents, including everyone from recent college graduates to retirees and musicians to engineers. The historical city — often referred to as the "Cradle of Liberty," according to one local expert — also overflows with team spirit for the Red Sox and 2017 Super Bowl champions, the Patriots.

Population: 1,750,865

Average annual salary: $51,150

Quality of life: 6.9

Value: 7.7

Raleigh-Durham and Chapel Hill are collectively known as the Triangle, an area anchored by its foundation in research and tech. The Triangle employs nearly 40,000 residents at companies like IBM, SAS Institute Inc., and Cisco Systems as well as surrounding colleges Duke, North Carolina State, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A strong job market coupled with a burgeoning microbrewery and dining scene draws 80 new residents every day, said a local expert.

Population: 3,614,361

Average annual salary: $59,060

Quality of life: 6.2

Value: 6.3

Seattle is sandwiched between water and mountains and doesn't get as much rain as you'd think, said one local expert. The city's residents are drawn to the area for its atmosphere of "calm and patience" and its close proximity to nature. Jobs in Seattle are concentrated in tech, healthcare, and maritime industries, but the city is also a huge manufacturing center for companies like Boeing.

Population: 493,095

Average annual salary: $43,570

Quality of life: 7.4

Value: 7.9

Fayetteville sits among the Ozark Mountains and is home to the University of Arkansas' flagship campus. The surrounding area of northwest Arkansas is home to headquarters for seven Fortune 500 companies including Walmart and Tyson Foods. The city has experienced immense growth, according to a local expert, who said the region has evolved "from a small town to a center of higher education, culture, commerce, and entrepreneurialism."

Population: 5,949,403

Average annual salary: $65,910

Quality of life: 6.6

Value: 7.4

The District's neighborhoods each give off their own vibe, but across the city residents often "gather for block parties, mingle at dog parks, and converse at coffee shops," explained a local expert. While Washington, DC, is known as a hub for politics, there's also a strong job market for education and health services.

Population: 1,925,706

Average annual salary: $78,620

Quality of life: 7.7

Value: 6.1

The sprawling city of San Jose is "as much defined by its suburban neighborhoods and large tech campuses as it is by the high-rises in its business district," said a local expert. Young residents and recent graduates of nearby Stanford and UC Berkeley have no trouble finding jobs in the area, which touts Cisco, eBay, and IBM as its largest private-sector employers.

Population: 2,703,972

Average annual salary: $54,450

Quality of life: 6.8

Value: 7.2

While Denver sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains, it's not considered a mountain town since it takes at least an hour to get to the Rockies for snowboarding and ski activities, a local expert explained. At 5,279 feet, the Mile High City lives up to its name in more ways than one: In 2012, Colorado legalized recreational marijuana, paving the way for a flourishing and lucrative cannabis industry.

Population: 1,889,094

Average annual salary: $49,560

Quality of life: 7.3

Value: 7.3

The capital of Texas gains about 50 new residents daily, many seeking out the city's "music, outdoor spaces, and cultural institutions," said a local expert.

Austin is beloved for its live music scene and is host to some of the country's biggest music and culture festivals, including South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. The city was nicknamed "Silicon Hills" in the 1990s for its status as "among the top areas for venture capital investment in the country."