The 25 Most Desirable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2021-2022
If given the choice, where would you live?
Among the factors contributing to our Best Places to Live rankings -- including affordability, job market and population growth due to net migration -- U.S. News surveys people throughout the country to determine where residents would live if given the choice. According to SurveyMonkey results with more than 3,600 respondents, here are the 25 most desired places to live out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the country.
25. Chicago
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 102
Metro Population: 9,508,605
Median Home Price: $332,565
Average Annual Salary: $57,160
Many people are attracted to Chicago for its big city living combined with a lower cost of living, making it the No. 25 most desirable place to live in 2021-2022. While Chicago is a pricier place to live than many smaller Midwest metro areas, it's still much cheaper than the likes of Los Angeles or New York City. Chicago area residents spend 24.06% of the area's median annual household income on housing costs, including rent and mortgage payments, utilities and property taxes.
Learn more about Chicago.
24. Austin, Texas
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 5
Metro Population: 2,114,441
Median Home Price: $377,693
Average Annual Salary: $55,190
Austin's population grew by 7.87% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration, which shows that many people are already acting on their wish to move to the capital of Texas to enjoy its rapidly expanding job market, warm climate and unique cultural vibe. With many tech companies opening offices here or even fully relocating from Silicon Valley, Austin is yet another place to live if your focus is on job opportunities.
Learn more about Austin.
23. Boston
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 31
Metro Population: 4,832,346
Median Home Price: $632,943
Average Annual Salary: $69,240
Plenty of U.S. residents love the idea of living in the heart of New England, and it helps that Boston offers a strong job market compared to much of the rest of the U.S. The average annual salary is $69,240, more than $15,000 above the national average of $53,490. The unemployment rate for the metro area, however, suffered some as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic -- the average monthly unemployment rate in 2020 was 8.5%, above the national monthly average of 8.1%.
Learn more about Boston.
22. Jacksonville, Florida
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 22
Metro Population: 1,503,574
Median Home Price: $303,789
Average Annual Salary: $48,270
It probably doesn't come as a surprise that Florida -- widely hailed as a popular vacation destination with plenty of sun, sand and ocean access -- appears on the list of the 25 most desirable places to live more than once. Jacksonville is the first of seven Florida metro areas to appear here, ranking No. 22 on this list as well as on the overall Best Places to Live list. Located closer to the state line with Georgia, the Jacksonville metro area touches the Atlantic coast but is also home to plenty of rivers and waterways inland as well.
Learn more about Jacksonville.
21. Portland, Maine
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 8
Metro Population: 532,075
Median Home Price: $310,300
Average Annual Salary: $52,820
While still coastal, people want to call the largest metro area in Maine home for very different reasons than Florida. Portland remains an economic center for Maine, and residents embrace independent shops and restaurants and locally made products that make the port city unique. Portland also ranks No. 1 out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. for safety, based on property crime rates and murder rates in 2020, according to data from the Federal Bureau of the Investigation.
Learn more about Portland.
20. Charlotte, North Carolina
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 20
Metro Population: 2,545,560
Median Home Price: $351,700
Average Annual Salary: $52,150
While it's not nestled among mountains or located on the coast, plenty of people are attracted to Charlotte for its relative affordability and fairly steady job market, among other factors. Many people are acting on the desire to move to Charlotte as well. Between 2015 and 2019, the Charlotte metro area's population increased by 5.9% due to net migration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making it the 22nd-fastest growing metro area out of the 150 in the Best Places to Live ranking.
Learn more about Charlotte.
19. Eugene, Oregon
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 65
Metro Population: 373,340
Median Home Price: $323,000
Average Annual Salary: $48,820
Eugene isn't the only metro area in the Pacific Northwest to make the top 25 metro areas for desirability, but it is the smallest in the region on this list. This metro area, located south of both Portland and Salem, has fewer than 400,000 residents, but that's likely part of the appeal. Eugene is known for its active arts scene, from local artists to plenty of performing arts options to appeal to all people. It's a fast-growing metro area too: Eugene's population increased by 6.74% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration.
Learn more about Eugene.
17. Houston (tie)
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 39
Metro Population: 6,884,138
Median Home Price: $319,339
Average Annual Salary: $54,490
Houston traditionally attracts many people to the area for its job market, as there are dozens of Fortune 500 companies calling the city home. Houston was not immune to the economic impact of the pandemic, however, and saw a significant increase in unemployment in 2020, with a monthly average unemployment rate for the year of 8.7%. Still, with an average annual salary slightly above the national average, at $54,490, people are seeing Houston as a place worth considering, especially if job opportunities are on their minds.
Learn more about Houston.
17. Daytona Beach, Florida (tie)
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 69
Metro Population: 646,288
Median Home Price: $278,897
Average Annual Salary: $40,930
People seeking world-class fishing, beautiful beaches and major events like NASCAR races don't overlook Daytona Beach as an ideal place to put down roots. Tied with Houston at No. 17 for desirability among U.S. residents, Daytona Beach attracts weekend visitors, seasonal "snowbirds" looking to winter in warmer weather and plenty of new permanent residents. Between 2015 and 2019, Daytona Beach's metro area population increased by 9.65% due to net migration, making it the seventh-fastest growing metro area out of the 150 most populous in the U.S.
Learn more about Daytona Beach.
16. Port St. Lucie, Florida
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 47
Metro Population: 472,012
Median Home Price: $233,133
Average Annual Salary: $45,630
Located along Florida's Atlantic coast, Port St. Lucie is a smaller metro area compared to neighboring Miami or Orlando, but its beach access and year-round warm weather have many Americans wishing they lived in the area. With a median age of 47.8 years, Port St. Lucie is a popular retirement destination, and takes the No. 8 spot in the Best Places to Retire in the U.S. ranking for 2021-2022.
Learn more about Port St. Lucie.
15. Orlando, Florida
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 60
Metro Population: 2,508,970
Median Home Price: $338,974
Average Annual Salary: $46,140
It may not be on Florida's coastline, but Orlando is seen as a desirable place to live for many who want to be close to popular vacation destinations like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. But people planning a move to Orlando should be prepared to pay more for housing. The cost of living requires 25.76% of the area's median household income, making Orlando the 22nd-most expensive place to live out of the 150 metro areas on the list.
Learn more about Orlando.
14. Sarasota, Florida
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 9
Metro Population: 803,709
Median Home Price: $387,630
Average Annual Salary: $46,040
Another popular retirement destination with a median resident age over 52, Sarasota is seeing its population grow rapidly. It's no wonder, with year-round warm weather and beaches popular among tourists and residents alike. Between 2015 and 2019, the Sarasota metro area's population increased by 11.22% due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making it the second-fastest growing metro area out of the 150 on the Best Places to Live list, after Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Learn more about Sarasota.
12. Pensacola, Florida
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 26
Metro Population: 488,246
Median Home Price: $200,800
Average Annual Salary: $43,920
For access to Florida beaches and a bit more of a southern feel, look no further than this metro area in the Florida Panhandle. While Pensacola may not get the same attention from tourists as the likes of Orlando or Miami, Pensacola still sees plenty of visitors and new residents every year. With a cost of living that requires 23.05% of the area's median household income, Pensacola is the most affordable place to live out of the 11 Florida metro areas on the Best Places to Live list.
Learn more about Pensacola.
10. Boulder, Colorado (tie)
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 1
Metro Population: 322,510
Median Home Price: $528,833
Average Annual Salary: $67,160
There are a lot of things to like about Boulder -- which is why it ranks No. 1 on the overall Best Places to Live list for 2021-2022. Many are attracted to the access to the Rocky Mountains, which makes for easy adventures year-round with hiking and biking trails, ski slopes and river sports located close by. With a high average annual salary of $67,160 and an average monthly unemployment rate of just 6.2% in 2020, Boulder area residents can feel a bit more stable in their work, even if the cost of living is high for the area.
Learn more about Boulder.
10. New York City (tie)
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 118
Metro Population: 20,238,162
Median Home Price: $588,923
Average Annual Salary: $66,983
The largest metro area in the U.S. takes the No. 10 spot on this year's Most Desirable Places to Live list, tied with Boulder. A global hub for finance, fashion, entertainment and so much more, New York City is a widely recognized dream locale for many people, young and old. Even with the pandemic making life difficult for many in a densely populated part of the country like New York City, people can't help but see the Big Apple as the place to be for job opportunities, sightseeing, nightlife and food.
Learn more about New York City.
9. Seattle
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 19
Metro Population: 3,871,323
Median Home Price: $675,237
Average Annual Salary: $68,460
Whether you're a fan of Amazon or you simply like the rainier Pacific Northwest climate, you're not alone if you prefer Seattle to some of the hotter places on the list. The nearby mountains and ocean make it easy to escape for outdoor excursions. It's also a technology hub, so people aspiring to work for major tech companies are naturally drawn to the Emerald City and its surrounding suburbs.
Learn more about Seattle.
8. San Diego
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 97
Metro Population: 3,316,073
Median Home Price: $835,207
Average Annual Salary: $60,230
San Diego comes in at No. 8 for its sandy beaches, sunny weather and renowned attractions such as the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. Like many Florida metro areas on this list, San Diego is a popular tourist destination, and former visitors' fond memories of visiting the metro area are likely to trigger the desire to live in a metro area with warm, sunny weather and a beach nearby. However, San Diego's large tourism industry took a hit as a result of the pandemic, which lent to its drop in the overall Best Places to Live rankings for 2021-2022 to No. 97.
Learn more about San Diego.
7. Naples, Florida
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 7
Metro Population: 371,453
Median Home Price: $345,000
Average Annual Salary: $47,980
Along the Gulf Coast of Florida, Naples is a fairly small metro area compared to the likes of Tampa or Miami, but it offers plenty of warm Florida weather, beach access and a slightly more remote location that appeals to many. Low property crime and murder rates in the Naples metro area make it the second-safest place to live out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S., after Portland, Maine.
Learn more about Naples.
6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 35
Metro Population: 463,987
Median Home Price: $198,600
Average Annual Salary: $37,740
Myrtle Beach is the fastest-growing metro area in the U.S., having grown by 15.65% between 2015 and 2019 due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Myrtle Beach is a tourism destination that makes many dream they could return on a more permanent basis. With a median age of 48.1 years, it's no surprise that many residents are retirees, as Myrtle Beach also ranks No. 25 on the 2021-2022 list for Best Places to Retire.
Learn more about Myrtle Beach.
5. Portland, Oregon
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 10
Metro Population: 2,445,761
Median Home Price: $515,360
Average Annual Salary: $58,240
Portland has long been close to the top of the Most Desirable Places to Live ranking, and for 2021-2022 it ranks No. 5 because of a four-way tie for first place. Portland is best known for its independent businesses, easy access to hiking trails and quirky food and nightlife options. Residents also benefit from a strong job market, with an average annual salary, at $58,240, above the national average of $53,490.
Learn more about Portland.
1. San Francisco (tie)
Best Places to Live 2021-2022 Rank: 15
Metro Population: 4,701,332
Median Home Price: $1,047,714
Average Annual Salary: $75,890
As part of a four-way tie, San Francisco joins three other metro areas at No. 1 as the most desirable metro areas in the U.S. San Francisco's hilly streets and Victorian row houses captivate residents and tourists, and the city's reputation as a place where free spirits and tech innovators thrive is another major draw. Of course, living here comes at a cost: The median home price in the San Francisco metro area is over $1 million and the median monthly rent is nearly $2,000.
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