Don’t Overlook These Hidden Gem Cities With a High Quality of Life
For almost a year and a half, due to the pandemic, many people's lives have been all about change -- and these changes may include finding a new place to live. Homebuyers often have their sights set on larger metropolitan areas boasting a ton of local amenities. But bigger cities come with bigger house payments, more traffic and more people per square mile, which begs the question: Is life in the big city still worth the exorbitant cost for the average homebuyer?
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According to a recent survey by Rent.com, 41% of Americans had to sacrifice saving money to afford to live in the city, and nearly 31% said city living wasn't worth the hype. The idea of big-city living might sound appealing at first, but smaller cities can offer the same amenities as larger metropolises at a much lower cost of living and a better quality of life. There are plenty of underrated and charming towns that homebuyers may be missing out on.
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To find these "hidden gems" in every state, GOBankingRates analyzed cities with a population between 10,000 and 75,000, according to data sourced from AreaVibes and have information on the average 2021 home value in their area available from Zillow. If there were too few cities within the state that met this criterion, the population requirement was relaxed to include cities with a population of over 5,000 in states where there were so few cities with populations between 10,000 and 75,000. States for which the population requirement was relaxed: Alaska, Hawaii,and Vermont. The study also looked at the median list price of homes within the area. States are listed in alphabetical order, with the five hidden gem cities in each state ranked in order of highest livability score.
If you're tired of dealing with high prices, traffic and crowds in the city, it's worth looking elsewhere for affordable cities you'll love to live in.
Check out these cities which offer a high quality of life.
Last updated: July 28, 2021
Alabama
Madison
Median list price: $293,397
Livability score: 90
Vestavia Hills
Median list price: $449,804
Livability score: 88
Mountain Brook
Median list price: $792,125
Livability score: 82
Homewood
Median list price: $449,683
Livability score: 82
Daphne
Median list price: $238,612
Livability score: 81
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Alaska
Kodiak
Median list price: $366,776
Livability score: 65
Homer
Median list price: $299,491
Livability score: 61
Juneau
Median list price: $438,385
Livability score: 60
Palmer
Median list price: $270,823
Livability score: 60
Ketchikan
Median list price: $302,616
Livability score: 55
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Arizona
Oro Valley
Median list price: $393,985
Livability score: 83
Anthem
Median list price: $437,537
Livability score: 79
Queen Creek
Median list price: $486,901
Livability score: 79
Goodyear
Median list price: $374,436
Livability score: 79
Apache Junction
Median list price: $292,580
Livability score: 78
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Arkansas
Bentonville
Median list price: $310,043
Livability score: 91
Bella Vista
Median list price: $231,308
Livability score: 81
Rogers
Median list price: $249,271
Livability score: 78
Siloam Springs
Median list price: $195,360
Livability score: 78
Centerton
Median list price: $234,642
Livability score: 74
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California
Lafayette
Median list price: $1,890,502
Livability score: 87
Saratoga
Median list price: $3,155,153
Livability score: 87
Los Altos
Median list price: $3,541,021
Livability score: 87
Los Gatos
Median list price: $2,354,803
Livability score: 87
Solana Beach
Median list price: $1,957,521
Livability score: 87
Colorado
Superior
Median list price: $729,725
Livability score: 87
Louisville
Median list price: $754,382
Livability score: 87
Parker
Median list price: $609,179
Livability score: 83
Erie
Median list price: $622,385
Livability score: 81
Firestone
Median list price: $476,145
Livability score: 78
Connecticut
West Hartford
Median list price: $337,983
Livability score: 85
Newington
Median list price: 270,512
Livability score: 84
Westport
Median list price: $1,341,934
Livability score: 84
Greenwich
Median list price: $1,708,037
Livability score: 83
Middletown
Median list price: $257,780
Livability score: 82
Delaware
Hockessin
Median list price: $485,376
Livability score: 77
Middletown
Median list price: $401,440
Livability score: 73
Newark
Median list price: $285,069
Livability score: 72
Bear
Median list price: $329,086
Livability score: 72
Smyrna
Median list price: $300,862
Livability score: 71
Florida
Westchase
Median list price: $426,115
Livability score: 92
Oldsmar
Median list price: $350,559
Livability score: 92
Fleming Island
Median list price: $336,490
Livability score: 91
Destin
Median list price: $486,013
Livability score: 89
Rockledge
Median list price: $315,373
Livability score: 88
Georgia
Vinings
Median list price: $565,565
Livability score: 91
Peachtree City
Median list price: $388,903
Livability score: 89
Peachtree Corners
Median list price: $424,577
Livability score: 88
Woodstock
Median list price: $328,513
Livability score: 88
Suwanee
Median list price: $418,392
Livability score: 88
Hawaii
Kailua
Median list price: $1,255,623
Livability score: 78
Mililani
Median list price: $880,019
Livability score: 73
Kaneohe
$960,644
Livability score: 72
Laie
Median list price: $1,118,517
Livability score: 70
Wailuku
Median list price: $720,123
Livability score: 69
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Idaho
Ammon
Median list price: $312,233
Livability score: 87
Hayden
Median list price: $492,855
Livability score: 86
Eagle
Median list price: $725,497
Livability score: 85
Garden City
Median list price: $463,188
Livability score: 83
Post Falls
Median list price: $403,706
Livability score: 82
Illinois
Algonquin
Median list price: $293,991
Livability score: 88
South Elgin
Median list price: $267,067
Livability score: 88
Warrenville
Median list price: $258,602
Livability score: 87
Schaumburg
Median list price: $318,248
Livability score: 87
Lake in the Hills
Median list price: $273,089
Livability score: 87
Indiana
Saint John
Median list price: $357,945
Livability score: 90
Plainfield
Median list price: $252,787
Livability score: 89
Brownsburg
Median list price: $265,662
Livability score: 89
Zionsville
Median list price: $462,597
Livability score: 89
Munster
Median list price: $305,438
Livability score: 89
Iowa
Ankeny
Median list price: $287,933
Livability score: 97
Urbandale
Median list price: $287,712
Livability score: 97
Clive
Median list price: $337,486
Livability score: 94
Waukee
Median list price: $305,646
Livability score: 94
Marion
Median list price: $305,646
Livability score: 94
Kansas
Prairie Village
Median list price: $370,065
Livability score: 94
Lenexa
Median list price: $350,319
Livability score: 87
Leawood
Median list price: $579,594
Livability score: 84
Shawnee
Median list price: $314,221
Livability score: 84
Hays
Median list price: $197,153
Livability score: 82
Kentucky
Fort Thomas
Median list price: $279,642
Livability score: 95
Mount Washington
Median list price: $244,451
Livability score: 87
Jeffersontown
Median list price: $259,748
Livability score: 83
Berea
Median list price: $173,211
Livability score: 81
Georgetown
Median list price: $227,882
Livability score: 80
Louisiana
Mandeville
Median list price: $314,411
Livability score: 89
Youngsville
Median list price: $220,564
Livability score: 87
River Ridge
Median list price: $314,492
Livability score: 85
Broussard
Median list price: $214,074
Livability score: 83
Belle Chasse
Median list price: $319,145
Livability score: 82
Maine
Brunswick
Median list price: $372,913
Livability score: 79
Saco
Median list price: $375,304
Livability score: 78
South Portland
Median list price: $396,351
Livability score: 74
Auburn
Median list price: $214,345
Livability score: 74
Westbrook
Median list price: $340,668
Livability score: 71
Maryland
Bethesda
Median list price: $1,162,766
Livability score: 82
North Potomac
Median list price: $755,194
Livability score: 81
Bel Air
Median list price: $391,211
Livability score: 79
Severna Park
Median list price: $595,848
Livability score: 78
North Bethesda
Median list price: $782,389
Livability score: 78
Massachusetts
Belmont
Median list price: $1,348,260
Livability score: 89
Arlington
Median list price: $925,264
Livability score: 88
Winchester
Median list price: $1,300,854
Livability score: 88
Brookline
Median list price: $2,074,947
Livability score: 86
Dedham
Median list price: $627,526
Livability score: 86
Michigan
East Grand Rapids
Median list price: $493,726
Livability score: 97
Berkley
Median list price: $261,599
Livability score: 96
Grosse Pointe Woods
Median list price: $299,503
Livability score: 95
Grosse Pointe Park
Median list price: $439,322
Livability score: 95
Farmington
Median list price: $264,063
Livability score: 94
Minnesota
Champlin
Median list price: $311,520
Livability score: 93
North Mankato
Median list price: $246,229
Livability score: 92
Chaska
Median list price: $393,263
Livability score: 88
Elk River
Median list price: $317,872
Livability score: 88
Stillwater
Median list price: $366,853
Livability score: 87
Mississippi
Petal
Median list price: $158,485
Livability score: 83
Brandon
Median list price: $217,876
Livability score: 81
Ocean Springs
Median list price: $193,661
Livability score: 81
Madison
Median list price: $295,591
Livability score: 80
Starkville
Median list price: $189,658
Livability score: 79
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Missouri
Webster Groves
Median list price: $354,201
Livability score: 95
Ballwin
Median list price: $349,205
Livability score: 95
Kirkwood
Median list price: $394,054
Livability score: 92
Eureka
Median list price: $321,055
Livability score: 92
Crestwood
Median list price: $275,440
Livability score: 91
Montana
Bozeman
Median list price: $615,225
Livability score: 84
Missoula
Median list price: $434,665
Livability score: 65
Kallispell
Median list price: $409,790
Livability score: 65
Great Falls
Median list price: $226,934
Livability score: 63
Helena
Median list price: $351,243
Livability score: 62
Nebraska
Papillion
Median list price: $303,892
Livability score: 94
La Vista
Median list price: $236,369
Livability score:92
Beatrice
Median list price: $113,406
Livability score: 92
Hastings
Median list price: $137,298
Livability score: 91
Norfolk
Median list price: $171,884
Livability score: 91
Nevada
Boulder City
Median list price: $377,103
Livability score: 82
Mesquite
Median list price: $327,128
Livability score: 77
Carson City
Median list price: $394,375
Livability score: 72
Elko
Median list price: $310,361
Livability score: 71
Spring Creek
Median list price: $304,876
Livability score: 64
New Hampshire
Plymouth
Median list price: $253,289
Livability score: 87
Dover
Median list price: $378,813
Livability score: 86
Derry
Median list price: $397,838
Livability score: 81
Durham
Median list price: $466,835
Livability score: 80
Concord
Median list price: $309,657
Livability score: 80
New Jersey
Summit
Median list price: $1,028,896
Livability score: 86
Pompton Lakes
Median list price: $375,951
Livability score: 85
Princeton
Median list price: $729,550
Livability score: 85
Haddonfield
Median list price: $586,796
Livability score: 84
New Providence
Median list price: $666,795
Livability score: 84
New Mexico
Los Alamos
Median list price: $360,222
Livability score: 83
Lovington
Median list price: $360,046
Livability score: 83
Alamogordo
Median list price: $143,845
Livability score: 72
Hobbs
Median list price: $190,448
Livability score: 66
Sunland Park
Median list price: $144,041
Livability score: 65
New York
Tonawanda
Median list price: $165,303
Livability score: 87
West Seneca
Median list price: $1202,160
Livability score: 87
North Tonawanda
Median list price: $194,590
Livability score: 85
Depew
Median list price: $189,014
Livability score: 84
Saratoga Springs
Median list price: $406,648
Livability score: 83
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North Carolina
Morrisville
Median list price: $370,976
Livability score: 91
Holly Springs
Median list price: $386,465
Livability score: 91
Apex
Median list price: $423,663
Livability score: 90
Cornelius
Median list price: $394,724
Livability score: 90
Wake Forest
Median list price: $381,110
Livability score: 89
North Dakota
West Fargo
Median list price: 268,999
Livability score: 90
Jamestown
Median list price: $172,343
Livability score: 80
Bismarck
Median list price: $313,363
Livability score: 79
Dickinson
Median list price: $277,421
Livability score: 78
Grand Forks
Median list price: $227,089
Livability score: 75
Ohio
Hilliard
Median list price: $316,808
Livability score: 98
Upper Arlington
Median list price: $547,491
Livability score: 97
Mason
Median list price: $383,882
Livability score: 96
Worthington
Median list price: $388,274
Livability score: 96
Westerville
Median list price: $366,178
Livability score: 95
Oklahoma
Jenks
Median list price: $249,865
Livability score: 88
Moore
Median list price: $166,556
Livability score: 87
Bixby
Median list price: $240,337
Livability score: 87
Weatherford
Median list price: $173,349
Livability score: 86
Yukon
Median list price: $194,221
Livability score: 86
Oregon
West Linn
Median list price: $656,193
Livability score: 86
Sherwood
Median list price: $542,575
Livability score: 85
Cedar Mill
Median list price: $734,792
Livability score: 85
Lake Oswego
Median list price: $801,453
Livability score: 84
Oak Hills
Median list price: $559,506
Livability score: 84
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Pennsylvania
Bethel Park
Median list price: $256,103
Livability score: 93
Hershey
Median list price: $307,448
Livability score: 88
Murrysville
Median list price: $315,462
Livability score: 88
Ardmore
Median list price: $404,998
Livability score: 88
Lower Burrell
Median list price: $176,821
Livability score: 85
Whitehall
Median list price: $176,821
Livability score: 85
Rhode Island
East Providence
Median list price: $303,170
Livability score: 75
Newport
Median list price: $678,740
Livability score: 69
Westerly
Median list price: $441,923
Livability score: 68
Pawtucket
Median list price: $277,312
Livability score: 64
Woonsocket
Median list price: $271,873
Livability score: 59
South Carolina
Mauldin
Median list price: $223,470
Livability score: 86
Hanahan
Median list price: $292,934
Livability score: 86
Mount Pleasant
Median list price: $562,733
Livability score: 85
Simpsonville
Median list price: $273,089
Livability score: 85
Fort Mill
Median list price: $376,495
Livability score: 84
South Dakota
Brookings
Median list price: $221,760
Livability score: 84
Watertown
Median list price: $217,882
Livability score: 82
Vermillion
Median list price: $190,075
Livability score: 80
Pierre
Median list price: $223,977
Livability score: 79
Mitchell
Median list price: $175,220
Livability score: 76
Tennessee
Spring Hill
Median list price: $359,624
Livability score: 90
Franklin
Median list price: $588,549
Livability score: 89
Collierville
Median list price: $407,921
Livability score: 89
Hendersonville
Median list price: $367,303
Livability score: 88
White House
Median list price: $290,480
Livability score: 87
Texas
Keller
Median list price: $476,054
Livability score: 95
Cinco Ranch
Median list price: $401,305
Livability score: 95
Trophy Club
Median list price: $510,037
Livability score: 94
Rockwall
Median list price: $339,535
Livability score: 94
Seabrook
Median list price: $302,223
Livability score: 93
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Utah
Centerville
Median list price: $482,660
Livability score: 83
Holladay
Median list price: $714,567
Livability score: 83
Pleasant Grove
Median list price: $467,391
Livability score: 83
Bountiful
Median list price: $468,192
Livability score: 83
Kaysville
Median list price: $524,685
Livability score: 83
Vermont
Middlebury
Median list price: $297,627
Livability score: 78
Essex Junction
Median list price: $431,357
Livability score: 78
South Burlington
Median list price: $409,915
Livability score: 76
Montpelier
Median list price: $308,730
Livability score: 73
Burlington
Median list price: $406,866
Livability score: 69
Virginia
Tuckahoe
Median list price: $344,421
Livability score: 86
Bon Air
Median list price: $299,353
Livability score: 85
McLean
Median list price: $1,301,030
Livability score: 85
Reston
Median list price: $631,900
Livability score: 84
Glen Allen
Median list price: $385,903
Livability score: 84
Washington
Samamish
Median list price: $1,189,340
Livability score: 86
Mercer Island
Median list price: $1,921,801
Livability score: 85
Mill Creek
Median list price: $774,643
Livability score: 85
Maple Valley
Median list price: $613,947
Livability score: 84
Bainbridge Island
Median list price: $1,084,170
Livability score: 84
West Virginia
Vienna
Median list price: $140,718
Livability score: 85
Morgantown
Median list price: $230,120
Livability score: 78
Weirton
Median list price: $95,574
Livability score: 77
Wheeling
Median list price: $108,225
Livability score: 76
South Charleston
Median list price: $126,857
Livability score: 75
Wisconsin
De Pere
Median list price: $266,106
Livability score: 93
Greendale
Median list price: $289,902
Livability score: 92
Grafton
Median list price: $323,853
Livability score: 91
Whitefish Bay
Median list price: $508,806
Livability score: 91
Sun Prairie
Median list price: $321,116
Livability score: 89
Wyoming
Sheridan
Median list price: $296,049
Livability score: 84
Green River
Median list price: $251,025
Livability score: 82
Rock Springs
Median list price: $245,650
Livability score: 82
Gilette
Median list price: $278,103
Livability score: 81
Jackson
Median list price: $1,020,604
Livability score: 80
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Alexandria Bova contributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: GOBankingRates looked at the cities in every state that: (1) have a population between 10,000 and 75,000 according to AreaVibes
and (2) have information on the average 2021 home value in their area available from Zillow.
GOBankingRates then ranked the cities in every state that met the above criteria by their livability scores from AreaVibes. This allowed GOBankingRates to idenitfy the 5 hidden gem cities in every state with the highest livability scores.
The population requirement was relaxed to include cities with a population of over 5,000 in states where there were so few cities with populations between 10,000 and 75,000 that 5 cities that met our 2 criteria for inclusion could not be found among the top 25 cities with the highest livability scores in their state.
States for which the population requirement was relaxed: Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont.
All data was collected on and is up-to-date as of July 19, 2021.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Don’t Overlook These Hidden Gem Cities With a High Quality of Life
