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Ranking
Best Places to Live in America Research Shortlist
A transparent best-places shortlist using the verified and derived layers currently live: Census population momentum, ACS city/place context, young-grad fit, BLS state job proxy, city scale, cost pressure, schooling access, commute, and lifestyle tags. Rankings are transparent research aids. Verify rent, wages, school programs, crime, commute, taxes, and neighborhood details before making a relocation decision.
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| City | Catalog | Grad fit | Median rent | Median income | 2025 population | City unemployment | Growth | Jobs | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, South Dakota | State starter | 88/100 | $1,035 | $75,970 | 213,748 | 2.5% | +10.90% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Spearfish, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 87/100 | $963 | $65,688 | 14,154 | 2.2% | +15.91% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Lehi, Utah | Utah coverage | 86/100 | $1,964 | $131,299 | 95,313 | 4.0% | +25.56% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Ankeny, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 85/100 | $1,319 | $108,198 | 77,833 | 1.9% | +14.29% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Brookings, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 85/100 | $889 | $63,493 | 25,355 | 4.5% | +8.45% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Madison, Alabama | Alabama coverage | 84/100 | $1,453 | $134,655 | 67,968 | 2.2% | +19.43% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| South Jordan, Utah | Utah coverage | 84/100 | $1,991 | $134,047 | 87,614 | 2.4% | +13.07% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Lebanon, New Hampshire | New Hampshire coverage | 84/100 | $1,744 | $98,147 | 15,481 | 0.8% | +8.30% | strong | rent watch |
| West Des Moines, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 84/100 | $1,237 | $86,594 | 74,224 | 2.4% | +8.00% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Bentonville, Arkansas | Arkansas coverage | 83/100 | $1,344 | $112,792 | 63,057 | 3.1% | +16.31% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Fargo, North Dakota | State starter | 83/100 | $946 | $66,998 | 136,275 | 3.8% | +8.20% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Meridian, Idaho | Idaho coverage | 82/100 | $1,805 | $100,795 | 142,988 | 2.7% | +21.37% | competitive | rent watch |
| Helena, Montana | Montana coverage | 82/100 | $1,092 | $71,036 | 35,138 | 2.9% | +9.44% | competitive | rent watch |
| Idaho Falls, Idaho | Idaho coverage | 82/100 | $1,075 | $73,110 | 71,785 | 4.2% | +9.42% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Noblesville, Indiana | Indiana coverage | 82/100 | $1,389 | $104,047 | 76,111 | 2.9% | +8.89% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| West Fargo, North Dakota | North Dakota coverage | 82/100 | $1,111 | $90,665 | 41,175 | 1.1% | +6.58% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Whitefish, Montana | Montana coverage | 81/100 | $1,354 | $73,811 | 9,358 | 2.4% | +20.22% | competitive | rent watch |
| Homer, Alaska | Alaska coverage | 81/100 | $1,238 | $74,449 | 6,331 | 8.7% | +14.59% | competitive | rent watch |
| Lakeville, Minnesota | Minnesota coverage | 81/100 | $1,806 | $139,041 | 79,270 | 2.0% | +14.06% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Auburn, Alabama | Alabama coverage | 81/100 | $1,098 | $63,668 | 85,113 | 3.2% | +11.06% | competitive | rent watch |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | #14 | 81/100 | $1,612 | $82,068 | 964,784 | 4.6% | +10.30% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Salt Lake City, Utah | State starter | 81/100 | $1,414 | $75,090 | 218,428 | 4.2% | +9.36% | competitive | rent watch |
| Bismarck, North Dakota | North Dakota coverage | 81/100 | $999 | $78,387 | 77,963 | 2.5% | +5.89% | strong | rent-friendly |
| Greer, South Carolina | South Carolina coverage | 80/100 | $1,198 | $82,626 | 50,007 | 2.4% | +41.02% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Box Elder, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 80/100 | $1,491 | $73,008 | 13,936 | 4.9% | +17.56% | strong | rent stretched |
| Fort Worth, Texas | #10 | 80/100 | $1,509 | $79,507 | 1,028,117 | 4.8% | +11.89% | cautious | rent watch |
| San Antonio, Texas | #7 | 80/100 | $1,324 | $65,056 | 1,548,422 | 6.2% | +8.03% | competitive | rent stretched |
| Rapid City, South Dakota | South Dakota coverage | 80/100 | $1,109 | $70,870 | 80,589 | 2.6% | +7.83% | strong | rent watch |
| South Burlington, Vermont | Vermont coverage | 80/100 | $1,787 | $106,667 | 21,394 | 3.9% | +5.76% | strong | rent watch |
| Kalispell, Montana | Montana coverage | 79/100 | $1,078 | $63,415 | 31,851 | 2.6% | +27.02% | competitive | rent watch |