Best place to live in every state
What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranking schools for your children? Would you prefer a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?
While Americans opt to move for a variety of reasons, June 2025 data shows that many have decided to stay put for now. According to Harvard University's State of the Nation's Housing 2025 report, residential mobility has reached an all-time low, with just 8.3% of Americans moving in 2024. Moves to the South, historically one of the nation's fastest-growing regions, have also slowed down, with domestic migration dropping by as much as 20% in some southern states.
Despite these trends, towns across the South—and the rest of the United States—have plenty to offer residents. Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in every state using Niche's 2025 rankings. This list took into consideration cities, suburbs, and towns. Niche ranks places to live based on several factors, including the cost of living, educational attainment, housing, and public schools. Check out their full methodology here.
Many cities on the list are suburbs experiencing growth due to people leaving cities for smaller towns. Other entries include planned communities and older cities that have been revamped, with grassroots efforts focusing on greener ways of living, drawing in new businesses, and encouraging the arts. Towns with large colleges appear regularly, as prestigious universities employ thousands of workers and provide diverse recreational and educational options for families.
Whether you're thinking of relocation or are big on hometown pride, click through to find the best place to live in every state.
