What are the best U.S. cities to live in?

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Atlanta, Georgia’s midtown skyline and interstate highway system.

Finding a place that’s livable and feels like home can depend on a bunch of factors.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) annual Global Liveability Index 2024 report, some cities provide better living conditions than others.

The EIU analyzed 173 cities worldwide based on 30 indicators. The rating considers five broad categories: stability, healthcare, education, culture, environment, and infrastructure.

Each of those factors are then rated as acceptable, tolerable, uncomfortable, undesirable, or intolerable on a 100-point scale.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 U.S. cities to live in based on the five factors, including their placement on the global list and a notable factor. It’s important to remember that the ranking is a global list and the U.S. cities included are in a different position on the EIU’s big list.

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10. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Aerial view of Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Lowry Ave bridge over the Mississippi River.

Ranking on the 100-point scale: 50
Notable mention: Minneapolis earned its EIU position because of its stability, culture and infrastructure.

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9. San Francisco, California

Aerial view of traffic moving on Golden Gate Bridge during sunset, San Francisco, California, USA.

Ranking on the 100-point scale: No. 49
Notable mention: San Francisco earned its EIU position because of its culture, environment, and infrastructure.

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8. Miami, Florida

Aerial view of South Beach Miami Florida cityscape with buildings along the beach on Collins Ave., and boat on Indian Creek

Ranking on the 100-point scale: No. 47
Notable mention: Miami is one of the biggest movers on the EIU’s global list. The Southern city earned its ranking because of its culture and environment.

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7. Boston, Massachusetts

City of Boston and its skyline at dusk with Back bay.

Ranking on the 100-point scale: No. 45
Notable mention: Boston’s placement on the EIU list is modestly due to its stability, health care, and education.

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6. Chicago, Illinois

Downtown Chicago Skyscraper Cityscape along the Chicago River.

Ranking on the 100-point scale: No. 39
Notable mention: Chicago’s placement on the global list is tied to its stability, culture and environment, and infrastructure.

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5. Washington, D.C.

Ranking on the 100-point scale: No. 38
Notable mention: Washington’s position on the EIU list is tied to its education, healthcare, culture, and stability.

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4. Seattle, Washington

Downtown Seattle, the Space Needle and the Mt Rainier from Kerry park, just after sunset.

Ranking on the 100-point scale: No. 34
Notable mention: Seattle earned its EIU position due to its stability, culture, and infrastructure.

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3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Downtown Pittsburgh skyline aerial view of Fort Duquesne, Point State Park.

Ranking on the 100-point scale: No. 30
Notable mention: Pittsburgh is dubbed “Steel City” because of its dominant position in infrastructure, especially for steel producing and coal mining. The city also earned a leading position due to culture and environment. For example, it’s home to some art landmarks, including the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Andy Warhol Museum, which houses the largest amount of artwork from the famed Pop artist.

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2. Atlanta, Georgia

Skyline view of downtown Atlanta, Georgia

Ranking on the 100-point scale: No. 29
Notable mention: Atlanta earned its position because of its stability, culture, and infrastructure. The city is home to corporate giants including Delta Airlines and Coca Cola and is also a major player when it comes to entertainment, including film and television. It’s also home to the the world’s largest U.S. airport, which employs roughly 63,000 people and it’s one of the best places to start your own business, per LinkedIn.

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1. Honolulu, Hawaii

Aerial view of the Diamond Head Crater with Honolulu’s cityscape in the distance in Oahu, Hawaii.

Ranking on the 100-point scale: No. 23
Notable mention: Honolulu is ranked the best U.S. city to live in but it’s important to remember the city has a high cost of living, gas pricers are also higher, and because a large number of items are imported, consumers often bear the brunt of the costs. But even so, Honolulu earned the coveted top spot because of high scores in stability, education, and infrastructure.

The 10 best U.S. cities to live in

The 10 best U.S. cities to live in

America's cities were ranked based on their culture, health care, and education

10. Minneapolis, Minnesota

10. Minneapolis, Minnesota

9. San Francisco, California

9. San Francisco, California

8. Miami, Florida

8. Miami, Florida

7. Boston, Massachusetts

7. Boston, Massachusetts

6. Chicago, Illinois

6. Chicago, Illinois

5. Washington, D.C.

5. Washington, D.C.

4. Seattle, Washington

4. Seattle, Washington

3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2. Atlanta, Georgia

2. Atlanta, Georgia

1. Honolulu, Hawaii

1. Honolulu, Hawaii