The 15 Best US Cities to Live in

Population: 828,732

Median home value: $1,395,300

Median monthly rent: $2,267

Median household income: $149,576

Known for: San Francisco is most notable for being a hub of the tech scene, plus its iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and historic cable cars.

Population: 542,262

Median home value: $521,370

Median monthly rent: $1,604

Median household income: $89,175

Known for: The capital city of California was the birthplace of the first transcontinental railroad, when it broke ground in Sacramento in the 1860s.

Population: 534,657

Median home value: $478,369

Median monthly rent: $1,659

Median household income: $88,243

Known for: Atlanta’s reputation as a city highlighted by massive highways is overblown, as about 48% of the city is covered by trees.

Population: 646,721

Median home value: $573,677

Median monthly rent: $1,422

Median household income: $93,114

Known for: Portland, Oregon, has a strong arts culture, and is home to the world’s largest independent bookstore.

Population: 1,668,856

Median home value: $452,370

Median monthly rent: $1,554

Median household income: $82,891

Known for: Not far from another entry on the list — Mesa, Arizona — Phoenix is known as the Valley of the Sun, mainly due to its year-round sunshine.

Population: 1,407,749

Median home value: $905,335

Median monthly rent: $2,197

Median household income: $111,559

Known for: San Diego is known for having one of the best zoos in the country, and it famously has some of the most desirable weather.

Population: 896,614

Median home value: $242,973

Median monthly rent: $992

Median household income: $64,315

Known for: Indianapolis is known for the largest single-day sporting event in the country: the Indianapolis 500.

Population: 1,351,974

Median home value: $354,950

Median monthly rent: $1,404

Median household income: $71,387

Known for: The birthplace of the frozen margarita, Dallas is home to many outdoor attractions and a thriving food scene.

Population: 792,583

Median home value: $920,561

Median monthly rent: $1,891

Median household income: $129,054

Known for: Known for its iconic coffee culture and skyline featuring the Space Needle, Seattle is the headquarters to companies like Amazon and Starbucks.

Population: 935,616

Median home value: $280,117

Median monthly rent: $1,090

Median household income: $65,981

Known for: Columbus is the capital of Ohio and the most populous city in the Buckeye State. It’s also the home of the Ohio State University.

Population: 2,513,078

Median home value: $296,056

Average monthly rent: $1,209

Median household income: $66,084

Known for: Houston is one of the closest big cities in Texas to the coasts, and is the energy capital of the world.

Population: 537,369

Median home value: $429,090

Median monthly rent: $1,543

Median household income: $83,087

Known for: Mesa, Arizona, is about 20 miles east of Phoenix, but it still has art centers, museums, and other cultural attractions of its own.

Population: 953,692

Median home value: $434,208

Median monthly rent: $1,498

Median household income: $83,205

Known for: Located in the south-central part of North Carolina, Charlotte is home to 19 Fortune 1000 companies, like Bank of America and Lowe’s.

Population: 1,012,031

Median home value: $313,627

Median monthly rent: $1,351

Median household income: $1,351

Known for: Jacksonville, Florida, is less than 50 miles from Georgia. It boasts stunning beaches and has the largest urban park system in the nation.

Population: 1,480,641

Median home value: $255,757

Median monthly rent: $1,152

Median household income: $66,076

Known for: Most famously known for its River Walk, San Antonio also has historical and cultural significance with landmarks such as the Alamo.

Population: 705,540

Median home value: $437,629

Median monthly rent: $1,477

Median household income: $79,428

Known for: Nashville has become the bachelorette party capital of the US, but is mostly known for its devotion to country music.

Population: 1,012,396

Median home value: $321,586

Median monthly rent: $1,360

Median household income: $80,685

Known for: Fort Worth, Texas, still has many ties to its cowboy heritage in its historic district, with rodeos, saloons, and cattle trades.

Population: 1,012,323

Median home value: $581,104

Median monthly rent: $1,612

Median household income: $98,624

Known for: In recent years, Austin has become a landing spot for tech companies, but it is also regarded as the live music capital of the world.

Population: 667,435

Median home value: $197,004

Average monthly rent: $964

Median household income: $59,999

Known for: El Paso, Texas, has a deep Spanish culture, and has over 20,000 acres of mountain peaks and canyons for nature lovers.

Population: 721,676

Median home value: $251,522

Median monthly rent: $935

Median household income: $68,491

Known for: The state capital of Oklahoma has a diverse arts and culture scene and is the most populous city in the state.