The western Pennsylvania city ranks highly as a place for young professionals to plant roots. California is the seventh-most liberal state in the United States. 46 New Mexico, No. The Woodlands, Texas Cambridge,. The Emerald City ranks as the No.1 best city for outdoor activities in the country. Home to the University of Missouri, it gets top marks for its cost of living, housing prices and job market centered around academics and healthcare. That includes locating in states that are welcoming, inclusive, and offer a great quality of life. This Texas city is one of the top spots to buy a homein America. If a state scores below 100 on the index then it is considered to have a cheaper cost of living than the national average. With an average of only 104 cloudy days per year, residents . The diverse city ranks highly for its outdoor activities and the health and fitness of its residents. The state has one of the lowest poverty levels in the country, with nine percent of residents living at or below the poverty line. All Rights Reserved. Our methodology: Our editors considered a variety of factors including each state's retirement rankings from WalletHub, MoneyRates and The Motley Fool to create our proprietary index. 25. Washington leads the country in renewable energy levels, with nearly half of its energy coming from renewable sources. The city is home to Kentucky Horse Park. The city is also home to the Gatornationals, an annual National Hot Rod Association drag racing event. Georgia also tends to rank slightly higher on lists of fun states to live in due in large part to Atlantas continued presence as a southern business hub. Plano offers many outdoor activities, including public parks and walking trails throughout the city. 12 for public health funding, spending $161 per person, slightly above the national average. Lake Side Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana, named the, Downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, the cheapest place. Niche has released its fifth annual list of the Best Places to Live, which includes a number of categories, including the best cities in America (urban areas with a population of 100,000 or more), the places with the lowest cost of living and more. Youll find that many of these less expensive states fall in similar regions like the Southeast and Midwest, but that doesnt mean there arent still hotspots in those areas. Furthermore, New Hampshire has the nation's most stringent climate change policies and has one of the highest rates of renewable energy consumption. The city also has some of thebest public schoolsin the country, plus affordable home prices and a high employment rate. Housing is particularly affordable, coming in as the third-cheapest housing costs in the nation with the median cost of a single-family home at around $176,898. Idaho; Score: 58.73 5. Niches best cities rankings also incorporate real ratings from people who live there, so the residents love and appreciation for their home certainly helped The Woodlands hang on to the number one spot for two years running, says Bell. Don't be deterred by the weather. Beantown is home to many restaurants, bars, shops and historic monuments. The mix of urban and suburban life in Gainesville is a hit with families and young professionals. The majority of residents, 64%,own their own homes. Average Annual Salary: $57,160. West Virginia also has the highest rate of millennials who suffer from depression, according to WalletHub's findings. The Maine Department of Public Safety reports that overall crime decreased for the 9th consecutive year in 2020, the most recent statistics available. The state also has a low poverty level, with 9.8% of residents falling at or below the poverty line. Rochester is one of thebest cities to buy a house in the country. New York Show More Ask the Experts Finding a good place to live requires looking at many different factors. 2 cheapest state Arkansas has median annual real estate taxes costing just $936. Utah's 2.1% unemployment rate is the lowest in the nation, tying with Nebraska. And 87% said they are willing to have someone in recovery as a neighbor. The unemployment rate is still lower than the national average at 3.4% although the poverty rate is high at 13.8%. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. Here are the top 10 cheapest places to live; you can access the full list here. Total scores for the top three states Florida, Virginia and Colorado are so close, they are nearly a draw. Virginia is the seventh-best state in the U.S. & World News ranking, a significant improvement from 2018, when the state was ranked 20th. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Days Above 90 Degrees: 84. The Northern California city is a top spot, thanks to its good public schools, wealth of outdoor activities and for its easy commute across the East Bay from San Francisco. The diverse city has affordable rents, a buzzing nightlife and many outdoor activities centered around the city's various sports teams. 1 and No. The Southern California city gets a high score for its commute to and from its surrounding areas, including Los Angeles. Lincoln is one of the best places to live in 2022. The area is known for the preserved historic buildings linings the streets of Alexandria's Old Town. Rates of addiction and drug-related deaths are low. Tennessee 7. Round Rock's weather, public schools and high employment rate and job and business growth make it one of the best places to live in America. The bustling Wisconsin capital city is a good spot for families and young professionals. This city is a quick 15-minute commute from Tampa, but feels like its own tropical paradise. Its Rocky Mountains location makes it a great spot for hiking and climbing. 2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 256 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: B+). The state has the most smoking regulation in the country and some of the lowest levels of tobacco use overall. Good public schools, affordable rent prices and a high employment rate attract residents to this North Carolina city. Many people are attracted to Chicago for its big city living combined with a lower cost of living, making it the No. Take time to understand the housing market, whats available and how much you can get for your money. This beach city is new to the 2022 list, thanks in part to its highly rated public schools. It still falls in the top half of the states for access to childcare, but just barely. The city is home to a variety of music and film festivals, including Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. The diverse city attracts young families looking for good public schools, job and business growth, and plentiful outdoor activities. The state also ranked 47th in terms of the percentage of millennials who have health insurance coverage. Consider the kind of lifestyle you want to live and what sort of leisure activities and natural wonders you want access to. To see how the rest of the cities in the U.S. ranked, you can access the full list here. Coming in at the top of the list for the second year in a row is The Woodlands, a master planned community just outside Houston. Fans wave to children at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital during the Iowa football game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. The remaining top ten best states to live in are Minnesota at two, followed by Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, Nebraska, Virginia, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Florida. In 2000, Oregon became the first state to conduct all its elections by mail, making voting easy and secure. getty. Bellevue is only about 20 minutes away from popular destinations such as Seattle, local wine country and hiker favorite Cougar Mountain. Education benefits: The University of Wyoming offers in-state tuition rates to veterans with a 100% disability rating. The Aloha spirit is alive and well here, with a pristine environment, good health care, and low crime. The state has especially benefited from its recent economic boom. Chicago. The state also has the lowest levels of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Naperville has the best public schools, a low crime rate and an affordable cost of living. How Do I Plan My Investing Strategy For 2023? Diana Robinson Photography | Moment | Getty Images. People walk and ride along the boardwalk the day before the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, in the shore community of Wildwood on May 28, 2021 in Wildwood, New Jersey. The Woodlands offer scenic nature preserves, a waterway trolley, a huge mall with lots of stores, and many restaurants. Michigan 5. Which leads us to the last factor, location. This is a list of television programs currently or formerly broadcast by Cartoon Network in the United States. Columbia also gets high marks for its nightlife. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, this is one of only five states to bar discrimination based on pregnancy and childbirth. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Long Distance Moving Companies. The city is only about 20 minutes away from the hubs of Washington D.C. and Arlington, Virginia. Strengths: Inclusiveness, Voting Rights, Crime Rate. 11 spot for young professionals, ranks highly for its easy commute. While Florida's K-12 Public schools perform about on par with national averages, the state's higher education system ranks first in the nation for access and affordability. Due to its high number of job-seeking students and recent grads, Boston is also one of the best cities for young professionals in America. 2022 Life, Health & Inclusion Score: 239 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: B+). Wyoming offers a $3,000 reduction in the assessed value of a home or vehicle. The city is a short drive from beach, and the area is home to many public parks and outdoor activities. Further explanation of each category is provided below. Missouri 8. If it were a country, Florida would be the fifteen wealthiest nation in the world. The city also boasts some stunning architecture, as seen here inside the Minnesota State Capitol. (Photo by Laura Chase de Formigny for The Washington Post via Getty Images)/ARLINGTON, VA - APRIL 23, Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images, America's No. 21% of its energy comes from renewable sources. With workers in short supply, companies are doing all they can to attract them. We want to hear from you. Florida has seen consistent gains in the rankings, having placed 13th in 2019 and 24th in 2017. St. Petersburg gets top marks for its outdoor activities and weather. It's no surprise that money is such an important consideration when choosing the best place to spend your retirement years. For advice on the selection process and how states can make themselves a more attractive place to live, we turned to a panel of experts. Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa, a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2008, dates back to 1806. The cost of living in Wisconsin is lower than the national average, with a cost of living index of 93.5. The state leads the country with a job growth rate of 3.6%. 1 best city for young professionals in America, thanks to its number of millennial residents, job opportunities, access to bars, restaurants and affordable housing. Click on the conversation bubble to join the conversation, 5 Ways Secure 2.0 Will Revamp How US Workers Save For Retirement, Pinnacle Actuarial Summoned By IRS To Produce Documents In Promoter Examination Of Oxford Insurance, Your Student Loan Forgiveness Is Getting Delayed, And It May Get Worse, Balancing The Federal Budget In 10 Years Without Raising Taxes Is Impossible. West Virginia 10. The typical household in the state earns just $52,528 a year, and 16.3% of the . This Texas city gets top marks for its outdoor activities and the health and fitness of its residents. 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