#1Los Alamos, NM
Los Alamos County (city and county) · 13,317 peopleScore 89.7·#1 of 72 in New Mexico
Strongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability B
Los Alamos, NM, #1 on this list · Bayo Road · Photo: Clyde Charles Brown · CC BY-SA 4.0United States · 2026
Best places to live in America
Los Alamos, New Mexico, ranks first of 5,167 U.S. towns and cities of 10,000+ residents. All 100 here grade A+, the top 5% of U.S. towns; their scores run from 89.7 down to 74.0. Pennsylvania has the most of them (25), and 22 states have at least one.
The overall score, sorted nationally; the letter and the state rank sit beside it. How grades work
#1A+
#2Bay Village, OH
Cuyahoga County · 15,792 peopleScore 82.0·#2 of 987 in Ohio
Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C+
#3St. John, IN
Lake County · 24,841 peopleScore 81.2·#1 of 585 in Indiana
Strongest: jobs & income A+, safety A+·lowest: walkability B
The top 100
Of 5,167 graded towns and cities of 10,000+ residents. Each state rank links to that state’s full list. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter.
100 towns. Every graded town is on its state’s list.
#TownScoreGrade · state rankWhat drives it
1Los Alamos, NMLos Alamos County (city and county) · 13,317 people89.7top 0.1%A+#1 of 72 in NMStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability B
2Bay Village, OHCuyahoga County · 15,792 people82.0top 0.1%A+#2 of 987 in OHStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C+
3St. John, INLake County · 24,841 people81.2top 0.1%A+#1 of 585 in INStrongest: jobs & income A+, safety A+·lowest: walkability B
4Sudbury, MAMiddlesex County · 19,643 people81.0top 0.1%A+#4 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C+
5Monroe, CT19,341 people80.7top 0.1%A+#1 of 151 in CTStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living B
6Broadview Heights, OHCuyahoga County · 19,755 people79.7top 0.2%A+#7 of 987 in OHStrongest: safety A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
7Wayland, MAMiddlesex County · 13,913 people79.3top 0.3%A+#6 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C
8Groton, MAMiddlesex County · 11,541 people79.2top 0.3%A+#7 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living C+
9Norwalk, IAWarren County · 15,004 people78.8top 0.3%A+#2 of 140 in IAStrongest: safety A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living B
10Upper Providence Township, PADelaware County · 10,861 people78.7top 0.3%A+#6 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C−
11Sharon, MANorfolk County · 18,798 people78.5top 0.3%A+#8 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
12Western Springs, ILCook County · 13,588 people78.5top 0.4%A+#4 of 767 in ILStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
13Scarsdale, NYWestchester County · 18,194 people78.1top 0.4%A+#3 of 745 in NYStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D−
14Lowell, INLake County · 11,853 people78.1top 0.4%A+#2 of 585 in INStrongest: safety A+, schools A·lowest: walkability B−
15Southborough, MAWorcester County · 10,559 people77.9top 0.4%A+#9 of 282 in MAStrongest: schools A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
16Lexington, MAMiddlesex County · 34,648 people77.8top 0.4%A+#10 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
17Smithfield, UTCache County · 15,153 people77.4top 0.5%A+#3 of 118 in UTStrongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C+
18Berkley, MIOakland County · 15,145 people77.3top 0.5%A+#1 of 697 in MIStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C
19Bethel Park, PAAllegheny County · 32,074 people77.2top 0.6%A+#11 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: hazard risk A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C
20East Brandywine Township, PAChester County · 10,594 people77.1top 0.6%A+#12 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C−
21Hopkinton, MAMiddlesex County · 19,866 people77.0top 0.6%A+#12 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
22North Huntingdon Township, PAWestmoreland County · 31,697 people77.0top 0.6%A+#13 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: schools A+, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability B−
23Fort Thomas, KYCampbell County · 17,142 people76.9top 0.7%A+#3 of 138 in KYStrongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C+
24Rocky River, OHCuyahoga County · 21,397 people76.9top 0.7%A+#17 of 987 in OHStrongest: schools A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
25Damascus, MDunincorporated, Montgomery County · 17,640 people76.8top 0.7%A+#1 of 259 in MDStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living B−
26Willistown Township, PAChester County · 11,443 people76.8top 0.7%A+#14 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
27Winchester, MAMiddlesex County · 23,710 people76.7top 0.7%A+#13 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D
28Hinsdale, ILDuPage County · 17,573 people76.7top 0.7%A+#5 of 767 in ILStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
29Campton Hills, ILKane County · 10,894 people76.7top 0.7%A+#6 of 767 in ILStrongest: safety A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C
30Nether Providence Township, PADelaware County · 14,468 people76.6top 0.8%A+#15 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living D
31Tega Cay, SCYork County · 14,457 people76.5top 0.8%A+#1 of 167 in SCStrongest: schools A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C
32West Deer Township, PAAllegheny County · 12,301 people76.5top 0.8%A+#16 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: hazard risk A+, safety A·lowest: walkability B−
33Lewisboro, NYWestchester County · 12,162 people76.4top 0.8%A+#8 of 745 in NYStrongest: safety A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
34Hampden Township, PACumberland County · 35,401 people76.4top 0.8%A+#17 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: safety A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C
35Libertyville, ILLake County · 20,701 people76.4top 0.8%A+#7 of 767 in ILStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C−
36Wellesley, MANorfolk County · 31,239 people76.3top 0.9%A+#14 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D
37Plum, PAAllegheny County · 26,225 people76.1top 0.9%A+#19 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living B−
38East Greenwich, RIKent County · 14,790 people76.1top 0.9%A+#1 of 38 in RIStrongest: jobs & income A, schools A·lowest: cost of living C
39Brandon, SDMinnehaha County · 11,306 people76.1top 0.9%A+#1 of 35 in SDStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C+
40Rochester, MIOakland County · 12,824 people76.0top 1.0%A+#4 of 697 in MIStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C−
41McCandless Township, PAAllegheny County · 28,439 people76.0top 1.0%A+#20 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: hazard risk A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C−
42Medfield, MANorfolk County · 13,248 people75.9top 1.0%A+#15 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
43South Park Township, PAAllegheny County · 13,613 people75.9top 1.0%A+#21 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: safety A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C
44River Vale Township, NJBergen County · 10,555 people75.9top 1.0%A+#6 of 466 in NJStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
45Upper Uwchlan Township, PAChester County · 13,681 people75.8top 1.0%A+#22 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: jobs & income A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living D
46Winnetka, ILCook County · 12,518 people75.8top 1.0%A+#10 of 767 in ILStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
47Bridgetown, OHunincorporated, Hamilton County · 13,464 people75.8top 1.0%A+#20 of 987 in OHStrongest: jobs & income A−, hazard risk A−·lowest: health B+
48Waunakee, WIDane County · 16,411 people75.6top 1.1%A+#5 of 357 in WIStrongest: jobs & income A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living C−
49Lake Forest, ILLake County · 19,731 people75.5top 1.1%A+#12 of 767 in ILStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
50Hampton Township, PAAllegheny County · 17,808 people75.4top 1.1%A+#24 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: hazard risk A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C−
51Hillsdale, NJBergen County · 10,214 people75.4top 1.2%A+#8 of 466 in NJStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
52Lemont, ILCook County · 18,513 people75.4top 1.2%A+#13 of 767 in ILStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C
53Upper Dublin Township, PAMontgomery County · 27,258 people75.4top 1.2%A+#25 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living D
54Rye, NYWestchester County · 16,614 people75.3top 1.2%A+#11 of 745 in NYStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D−
55Pella, IAMarion County · 10,992 people75.3top 1.2%A+#7 of 140 in IAStrongest: schools A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living B−
56Vernon Township, INHancock County · 20,047 people75.2top 1.3%A+#5 of 585 in INStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A−·lowest: cost of living B
57Buckingham Township, PABucks County · 20,757 people75.2top 1.3%A+#30 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
58Port Washington, WIOzaukee County · 12,658 people75.2top 1.3%A+#6 of 357 in WIStrongest: hazard risk A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living C+
59Reading, MAMiddlesex County · 25,803 people75.1top 1.4%A+#19 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
60New Britain Township, PABucks County · 12,377 people75.1top 1.4%A+#34 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: cost of living C−
61Acton, MAMiddlesex County · 24,786 people75.1top 1.4%A+#20 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living D
62Scituate, MAPlymouth County · 19,662 people75.1top 1.4%A+#21 of 282 in MAStrongest: safety A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
63Newtown Township, PADelaware County · 15,438 people75.1top 1.4%A+#36 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
64Brecksville, OHCuyahoga County · 13,843 people75.0top 1.5%A+#23 of 987 in OHStrongest: hazard risk A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C−
65South Fayette Township, PAAllegheny County · 18,648 people74.9top 1.5%A+#39 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C
66Zeeland Township, MIOttawa County · 12,305 people74.9top 1.5%A+#7 of 697 in MIStrongest: jobs & income A, schools A·lowest: cost of living B−
67Murrysville, PAWestmoreland County · 20,636 people74.9top 1.5%A+#41 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: schools A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living C−
68Rosemount, MNDakota County · 31,881 people74.8top 1.5%A+#13 of 271 in MNStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C+
69Easttown Township, PAChester County · 11,090 people74.8top 1.5%A+#43 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: hazard risk A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living D
70Nolensville, TNWilliamson County · 15,789 people74.8top 1.6%A+#1 of 175 in TNStrongest: schools A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
71Pittsford, NYMonroe County · 30,588 people74.8top 1.6%A+#13 of 745 in NYStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
72Penn Township, PAWestmoreland County · 20,755 people74.8top 1.6%A+#44 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C
73Upper Arlington, OHFranklin County · 35,893 people74.7top 1.6%A+#24 of 987 in OHStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C−
74Weston, MAMiddlesex County · 11,729 people74.7top 1.6%A+#22 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D−
75Barrington, ILCook County · 10,586 people74.7top 1.6%A+#16 of 767 in ILStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
76Caledonia Township, MIKent County · 17,171 people74.6top 1.7%A+#10 of 697 in MIStrongest: schools A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C
77Denville Township, NJMorris County · 17,424 people74.4top 1.8%A+#12 of 466 in NJStrongest: health A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living C−
78Whitefish Bay, WIMilwaukee County · 14,489 people74.4top 1.8%A+#9 of 357 in WIStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
79Eastchester, NYWestchester County · 34,015 people74.4top 1.8%A+#16 of 745 in NYStrongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
80Granville Township, OHLicking County · 10,701 people74.4top 1.8%A+#25 of 987 in OHStrongest: schools A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C
81Franklin Park, PAAllegheny County · 14,978 people74.4top 1.8%A+#48 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: schools A+, hazard risk A+·lowest: cost of living C−
82Garden City, NYNassau County · 23,043 people74.4top 1.8%A+#17 of 745 in NYStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D−
83Powell, OHDelaware County · 18,269 people74.3top 1.8%A+#26 of 987 in OHStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C−
84Westfield, NJUnion County · 32,595 people74.3top 1.8%A+#14 of 466 in NJStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
85Kaysville, UTDavis County · 33,307 people74.3top 1.9%A+#4 of 118 in UTStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C+
86Medway, MANorfolk County · 13,804 people74.2top 1.9%A+#23 of 282 in MAStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C
87Dyer, INLake County · 16,273 people74.2top 1.9%A+#10 of 585 in INStrongest: safety A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C+
88Madison, NJMorris County · 16,607 people74.2top 1.9%A+#15 of 466 in NJStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D−
89Cedarburg, WIOzaukee County · 12,916 people74.2top 1.9%A+#10 of 357 in WIStrongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C−
90Trenton, MIWayne County · 17,849 people74.2top 1.9%A+#11 of 697 in MIStrongest: safety A−, schools A−·lowest: walkability B
91Springboro, OHWarren County · 19,606 people74.1top 2.0%A+#30 of 987 in OHStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: walkability C+
92Sammamish, WAKing County · 66,110 people74.1top 2.0%A+#1 of 285 in WAStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living D
93Independence, KYKenton County · 30,198 people74.1top 2.0%A+#6 of 138 in KYStrongest: safety A, schools A·lowest: walkability C
94Harrison Township, NJGloucester County · 14,043 people74.1top 2.0%A+#16 of 466 in NJStrongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: walkability C+
95Whitpain Township, PAMontgomery County · 20,483 people74.1top 2.0%A+#51 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living D
96Lower Moreland Township, PAMontgomery County · 14,116 people74.1top 2.0%A+#52 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C−
97Tipp City, OHMiami County · 10,644 people74.1top 2.1%A+#31 of 987 in OHStrongest: schools A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living B−
98Northampton Township, PABucks County · 39,919 people74.1top 2.1%A+#53 of 1,032 in PAStrongest: jobs & income A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living D
99South Lyon, MIOakland County · 12,107 people74.1top 2.1%A+#13 of 697 in MIStrongest: health A, safety A·lowest: cost of living C
100Jefferson, GAJackson County · 17,185 people74.0top 2.1%A+#3 of 258 in GAStrongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: walkability C
Where they are
The top 100 by state
The national curve is the same everywhere, so states with many suburbs of 10,000+ fill more of the list.
Big cities
All 393 big cities →Cities of 100,000+: the top 10
The same grade, among the 393 graded cities of 100,000+, so a village of 10,000 isn’t weighed against Chicago.
- 1A+Fishers, IN104,812
- 2A+Naperville, IL153,114
- 3A+Highlands Ranch, CO102,257
- 4A+Carmel, IN105,634
- 5A+North Hempstead, NY238,982
- 6AClay Township, IN104,932
- 7ALisle Township, IL119,740
- 8AHuntington, NY205,891
- 9ADowners Grove Township, IL149,599
- 10AColumbia, MD104,338
Method
How this list is made
The overall grade blends seven livability grades (cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability, hazard risk); places are ranked on that blend, shown as the score (0–100), so the order has no ties. The national list starts at 10,000 residents; state lists start at 2,500. 20 college campuses (over half the residents are students) are left off. How grades work
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best place to live in the U.S.?
Los Alamos, New Mexico ranks first of 5,167 graded towns and cities of 10,000+: health (A+) and schools (A+) are its strongest grades; walkability (B) is its lowest. Bay Village, OH and St. John, IN follow.
What is the best big city to live in?
Among the 393 graded cities of 100,000+, Fishers, Indiana ranks first (A+), then Naperville, IL and Highlands Ranch, CO.
Which state has the most of the top 100?
Pennsylvania, with 25; then Massachusetts (15), Ohio (10), Illinois (8).
Other states