The 50 best places to live in America

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U.S. News & World Report ranked the 100 most populous cities in America to find the best places to live in 2017.

When deciding where to put down roots, many factors rest in the eye of the beholder, such as climate, politics, or proximity to extended family.

Other aspects are coveted by nearly everybody: affordable housing, access to well-paying jobs, a low cost of living, good schools, and quality healthcare. In its 2017 ranking of the best places to live in America, U.S. News & World Report gathered data on these crucial components for the 100 most populous US cities.

They then categorized the data into five indexes for each city - job market, value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration - to definitively rank these major metro areas. You can read U.S. News' full methodology here.

Scores for "value," a blend of annual household income and cost of living, and "quality of life," which accounts for crime, college readiness, commute, and other factors, are included below on a 10-point scale, as well as the city's population and average annual salary.

Keep reading to discover the 50 best places to live in America.