The number of Americans who relocate each year has been trending downward for decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 28.2 million people moved to a new home in 2022, down from 41.1 million 20 years earlier. Of those who did move in 2022, the vast majority – an estimated 78% – stayed within the same state.
When Americans do decide to move, many do so to improve their standard of living. Climate, health considerations, taking or finding a new job, buying a better or more affordable home, and living in a safer neighborhood are all commonly cited reasons. But for those who are not prepared to move across the country, within every state, there are cities and towns that stand out for the higher overall quality of life they can offer.
Based on a weighted index of 22 key measures from government sources, related to community, the economy, and quality of life, North Oaks ranks as the best place to live in Minnesota.
North Oaks, home to about 5,200 people, has a median household income of $220,861 and a median home value of $696,800. According to the 2023 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 99.8% of the local population have easy access to places for exercise, like parks. Census data also shows that there are about 38.9 recreational and entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, museums, sports clubs, libraries, and restaurants for every 10,000 businesses in the area.
We considered all places in the U.S. with sufficient data and populations of at least 5,000. Our list includes cities, towns, villages, boroughs, and unincorporated communities. Click here to read our full methodology.
| Best place to live | Total population | Median household income ($) | Median home value ($) | Population with access to exercise opportunities (%) | Entertainment and recreation venues per 10,000 businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama: Mountain Brook | 22,180 | 150,268 | 697,800 | 80.0 | 24.3 |
| Alaska: Juneau | 32,240 | 90,126 | 358,200 | 100.0 | 27.1 |
| Arizona: Paradise Valley | 12,670 | 203,659 | 1,778,000 | 92.7 | 25.6 |
| Arkansas: Fayetteville | 92,070 | 52,111 | 255,600 | 82.4 | 16.9 |
| California: Orinda | 19,500 | 248,984 | 1,538,400 | 98.2 | 27.0 |
| Colorado: Aspen | 7,020 | 89,625 | N/A | 94.6 | N/A |
| Connecticut: Old Greenwich | 6,930 | 234,152 | 1,444,800 | 97.5 | 57.2 |
| Delaware: Hockessin | 13,460 | 158,036 | 460,800 | 93.5 | 33.2 |
| Florida: Key Biscayne | 14,530 | 167,990 | 1,246,700 | 98.5 | 18.1 |
| Georgia: Druid Hills | 8,610 | 137,576 | 698,000 | 88.5 | 12.4 |
| Hawaii: Laie | 6,440 | 101,011 | 937,000 | 97.3 | 33.4 |
| Idaho: Boise City | 231,540 | 68,373 | 322,300 | 86.0 | 27.7 |
| Illinois: Glencoe | 8,820 | 212,132 | 1,101,200 | 99.3 | 24.6 |
| Indiana: Carmel | 98,140 | 119,772 | 372,100 | 89.8 | 25.4 |
| Iowa: Iowa City | 74,240 | 51,925 | 230,700 | 89.6 | 23.4 |
| Kansas: Leawood | 33,750 | 159,540 | 498,900 | 96.7 | 22.0 |
| Kentucky: Lexington-Fayette | 321,350 | 61,526 | 216,800 | 99.2 | 20.1 |
| Louisiana: Oak Hills Place | 9,200 | 90,347 | 363,600 | 96.9 | 15.9 |
| Maine: Portland | 68,060 | 66,109 | 341,700 | 85.1 | 73.2 |
| Maryland: Chevy Chase | 9,890 | 207,971 | 999,200 | 99.8 | 21.8 |
| Massachusetts: Wellesley | 29,370 | 226,250 | 1,251,800 | 94.7 | 31.6 |
| Michigan: Ann Arbor | 122,730 | 73,276 | 366,600 | 87.8 | 41.7 |
| Minnesota: North Oaks | 5,200 | 220,861 | 696,800 | 99.8 | 38.9 |
| Mississippi: Madison | 27,460 | 119,662 | 282,600 | 81.2 | 24.0 |
| Missouri: Fort Leonard Wood | 15,630 | 61,913 | N/A | 66.1 | N/A |
| Montana: Bozeman | 51,570 | 67,354 | 466,400 | 83.2 | 32.4 |
| Nebraska: Chadron | 5,380 | 50,363 | 132,700 | 89.6 | N/A |
| Nevada: Incline Village | 9,440 | 131,914 | 1,042,700 | 88.3 | 14.8 |
| New Hampshire: Lebanon | 14,320 | 80,619 | 274,400 | 84.9 | 113.5 |
| New Jersey: Rumson | 7,290 | 239,188 | 1,309,200 | 96.0 | 42.9 |
| New Mexico: Los Alamos | 13,270 | 118,293 | 342,000 | 99.3 | N/A |
| New York: Rye | 16,460 | 207,930 | 1,529,400 | 99.6 | 42.6 |
| North Carolina: Chapel Hill | 60,920 | 77,037 | 454,300 | 83.3 | 15.0 |
| North Dakota: Grand Forks | 58,870 | 53,611 | 215,900 | 88.0 | 36.9 |
| Ohio: The Village of Indian Hill | 6,020 | 194,643 | 918,800 | 96.9 | 33.6 |
| Oklahoma: Oklahoma City | 673,180 | 59,679 | 168,900 | 93.8 | 21.3 |
| Oregon: Portland | 647,180 | 78,476 | 462,800 | 99.5 | 39.1 |
| Pennsylvania: Merion Station | 5,370 | 233,340 | 693,800 | 96.4 | 38.7 |
| Rhode Island: Newport | 25,320 | 77,092 | 529,900 | 92.9 | 129.3 |
| South Carolina: Mount Pleasant | 88,900 | 106,216 | 499,600 | 89.8 | 43.8 |
| South Dakota: Vermillion | 11,510 | 47,920 | 169,500 | 85.5 | N/A |
| Tennessee: Brentwood | 44,350 | 165,948 | 711,900 | 81.9 | 11.2 |
| Texas: University Park | 25,030 | 247,045 | 1,380,600 | 96.7 | 20.4 |
| Utah: Summit Park | 8,410 | 156,200 | 814,900 | 95.1 | 22.2 |
| Vermont: Middlebury | 7,190 | 65,050 | 332,200 | 64.0 | 26.2 |
| Virginia: McLean | 49,310 | 242,610 | 1,102,100 | 99.7 | 14.8 |
| Washington: Mercer Island | 25,510 | 170,000 | 1,504,500 | 98.0 | 30.4 |
| West Virginia: Cheat Lake | 10,190 | 99,656 | 305,000 | 74.7 | 20.8 |
| Wisconsin: Mequon | 24,810 | 135,425 | 402,900 | 97.3 | 64.2 |
| Wyoming: Jackson | 10,730 | 83,289 | 836,300 | 97.7 | 51.2 |
