What makes somewhere an ideal hometown? The answer has changed throughout the decades. In recent years, southern states have welcomed an influx of new residents, but moving preferences may be trending toward the Midwest. According to Redfin's April 2025 analysis of Census Bureau data, states in America's heartland—including Texas, Ohio, and Michigan—saw a 2.65% population increase between 2020 and 2024. Newcomers may be attracted to these locales for their affordable housing and abundant job opportunities. But these are far from the only factors determining where people want to live.
The suburbs were born in the middle of the 20th century. Post-World War II, white Americans were entranced by the idea of owning their own newly affordable homes with plots of green lawn space, especially as cities experienced severe housing shortages. Consequently, and rapidly, the suburbs grew to accommodate the demand.
However, these days, the concept and possibility of cookie-cutter neighborhoods, once considered modern, has become less popular. Home ownership is far less attainable than it was 20 years ago. Furthermore, more people are starting to appreciate urban advantages such as walkability and communal spaces.
Areas that used to be highly desirable have been overrun with residents, causing the cost of living to skyrocket and that initial affordability to tank. For example, Carbondale, Colorado, has seen home prices increase by more than 450% in the past two decades, according to a September 2024 Forbes report.
There are various priorities and deciding factors in choosing the best place to live in America, from affordability to a stellar school system to access to shopping and entertainment. Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live as of August 2025, using Niche data on cities, towns, and suburbs. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including cost of living, residents' education, housing prices, and public school grades.
The Midwest dominates the list, with many potential hometowns appealing for similar reasons: safe environments, a commitment to education, and proximity to the cultural attractions of an urban area or nearby wilderness for hiking. Some are especially quaint and historic, while others have experienced tech booms.
Whether you are looking to relocate, just daydreaming about a change of scenery, or curious to see if your hometown is named, take a look at the American towns and cities that have earned their spots on this list of the top 20 places to live in the United States.
