Cheaper, better, safer, healthier and more fun: Here are 20 of the best small cities to live in the U.S.

By Livability editors

These small to midsize cities are some of the most affordable in the nation, and chock-full of amenities and opportunities for your career or family

We're experts on what makes cities of all sizes great places to live at Livability. For more than a decade, we've been curating our annual list of the Best Places To Live in America, helping you discover the most livable cities in the U.S.

If you're looking to relocate, what's on your wishlist? Want a shot at owning a home? To spend less time sitting in traffic? Or perhaps you dream of starting your own business in a tightknit, supportive community?

Maybe a better quality of life is waiting for you in a place you haven't considered - a place where you're not just a number. Our Best Places list is chock-full of helpful information about living in each of our Top 100 cities to help you find your perfect place to live.

How we choose the top 100 best cities

Livability commissions data on thousands of U.S. cities. We sort through that data so you don't have to. We partnered with Applied Geographic Solutions to curate our Top 100 Best Places To Live in the U.S. based on nearly 100 data points and an algorithm that takes into account measures of a city's economy, housing and cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education and health. See the Best Places Methodology to learn more about the process for choosing the top 100 cities.

Size and affordability set Livability's Best Places list apart

There are lots of best places lists out there, but ours is unique for several reasons.

First, we only consider small to midsize cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000. To us, that's the sweet spot in size for getting plugged in, finding your people and feeling at home fast.

Second, we believe that affordability is one of the biggest benefits of living in a smaller city. With that sentiment in mind, we only consider cities with a median home value of $500,000 or less. We also analyze average rent and home prices relative to income in each city, as well as other factors that influence the cost of living. Ours is the only list truly centered on affordability.

Our cities may be smaller, but what you can accomplish in them is big.

Third, our top 100 cities are not ranked from one to 100. Since there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the perfect place to live, we've created a list that is fully interactive, with tools to sort and filter according to the criteria that are most important to you.

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The best little cities of 2024

So whether you're looking for a fresh start, want to get closer to your family or hope to take the next step in your career, the cities on our list are ready to welcome you. Now, let's find your best place to live!

Here are 20 of the best cities with the highest LivScores.

Carmel, Ind.

LivScore: 875Region: MidwestPopulation: 100,691Med. Home Value: $380,506

Immediately north of Indianapolis is Carmel, Indiana, one of the fastest-growing communities in the U.S. Carmel is a magnet for families with its many parks and highly-rated schools. The city's Meridian Corridor houses the corporate offices of more than 50 companies, and it also attracts entrepreneurs. The community is a hub for retail with major shopping centers like Clay Terrace, Old Town Carmel and Village Park Plaza.

Cary, N.C.

LivScore: 874Region: SoutheastPopulation: 179,000Med. Home Value: $434,151

In the geographic center of North Carolina is Cary, a growing town that is attracting residents with its central location, good schools and flourishing research and technology sector. The League of American Bicyclists recognizes Cary as a bicycle-friendly community, and residents have access to multiple parks and walking trails. More than two-thirds of adults have a college degree, and the town is less than 15 minutes from major universities like Duke, North Carolina State and the University of North Carolina.

Columbia, Md.

LivScore: 874Region: NortheastPopulation: 106,410Med. Home Value: $467,495

Ten self-contained villages comprise the city of Columbia, Maryland, founded in 1967, which gives Columbia a small-town feel even though its population has surpassed 100,000. Amenities include three lakes, 80 miles of interconnected pathways and high-end shopping destination The Mall in Columbia. With a median family income of $114,000, Columbia is one of the wealthiest cities in America. Federal government and research-related jobs play big roles in the local economy because Columbia is only 30 miles from Washington, D.C.

Fishers, Ind.

LivScore: 864Region: MidwestPopulation: 102,878Med. Home Value: $332,418

A suburb of Indianapolis, Fishers is one of the fastest-growing communities in America - it's now the sixth-largest city in Indiana. The town has affordable homes, good healthcare and a diverse business sector, and transportation assets include Interstate 69. The highly regarded Hamilton Southeastern School District has more than 21,000 students, and recreation attractions include Geist Reservoir, 14 parks, and 85 miles of trails and greenways.

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Naperville, Ill.

LivScore: 862Region: MidwestPopulation: 150,412Med. Home Value: $433,840

Naperville, Illinois, is one of the largest suburbs of Chicago, but there's much more to this burgeoning community than meets the eye. Its proximity to downtown is an obvious perk for commuters, and the great public transportation system reduces the amount of time you spend in the car each morning. But Naperville also offers job opportunities of its own in technology, education, healthcare and agriculture. Coupled with the abundance of restaurants, parks and cultural attractions, plus top-notch school systems, Naperville is one excellent place to put down roots.

Broomfield, Colo.

LivScore: 853Region: SouthwestPopulation: 76,538Med. Home Value: $491,262

Broomfield, Colorado, is smaller than the state capital but bursting at the seams with entertainment, attractions and outdoor amenities. Newcomers and longtime residents alike appreciate the more than 700 acres of green space, including numerous bike trails, 45 playgrounds and three public golf courses. The cost of living in Broomfield is about 20% higher than the national average, but higher salaries help offset those costs. The job market is vibrant and active, boasting significant industries like manufacturing, software and healthcare, but you can also find plenty of opportunities in the energy, retail and education sectors.

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Overland Park, Kan.

LivScore: 851Region: MidwestPopulation: 200,187Med. Home Value: $354,977

Known as a gateway to Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas, has its own charm, with delicious restaurants, breweries, boutiques, arts and culture, and plenty of green space. Overland Park is home to several large companies, such as T-Mobile (TMUS) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH), and is a hub for finance, healthcare, and professional and technical services. The community is also known for nationally ranked schools, youth sports and first-rate healthcare options.

Sugar Land, Texas

LivScore: 846Region: SouthwestPopulation: 113,429Med. Home Value: $359,460

Sugar Land, Texas, might have you thinking about the country music duo, but that's not where the city got its name. Sugar Land is known for being one of the more affluent and rapidly growing master-planned communities in the state. The population boomed between 1990 and 2000, perhaps because of its proximity to the job market in Houston. But Sugar Land offers plenty of quality amenities to locals, including family-friendly museums and attractions, plus numerous trails and parks. Foodies can enjoy everything from barbecue and burgers to Japanese and Korean.

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Frisco, Texas

LivScore: 842Region: SouthwestPopulation: 224,003Med. Home Value: $470,968

Situated just 25 minutes north of Dallas, Frisco, Texas - known by locals as Sports City USA - is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. This Dallas suburb offers a taste of everything for everyone: a vibrant culture and arts scene, stunning green spaces for the outdoor enthusiasts and a thriving sports culture with plenty to cheer for. Its booming job market and proximity to significant corporations provide ample career opportunities. And Frisco's commitment to quality education makes it one of the best Dallas suburbs for families.

Troy, Mich.

LivScore: 839Region: MidwestPopulation: 85,685Med. Home Value: $343,627

Troy, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit situated approximately 25 miles northwest of the metro, offers highly-ranked schools, safe neighborhoods and a thriving economy with automotive technology and manufacturing at the heart of it. Troy was also voted the safest city in the state and has one of the lowest tax rates in Oakland County. So, if you're looking to start a family, look no further. Thanks to highly rated schools, including a standout fine arts program, a college and branches of several universities, Troy is easily one of the best places in Michigan for families.

Beaverton, Ore.

LivScore: 837Region: NorthwestPopulation: 97,992Med. Home Value: $491,129

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