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Seeking a lower cost of living to buy a home or retire?
Looking for a safer climate or better paying jobs?

BestPlaces has been naming the top cities for over 30 years. We have the most accurate cost of living comparison for over 80,000 places. We know the best places to buy a home, the safest and happiest cities for your family, and which states are best for retirement. Our research-backed, AI-enabled quiz pinpoints the five best places for you to live in the United States where you can thrive and live a happier life.

Our data includes exclusive, BestPlaces data, as well as US Census data, federal research, and national surveys to provide insight into cities across the United States.


Cost of Living Comparison Calculator

Our Cost of Living Calculator is the most accurate way to see what you can comfortably afford in two different cities. We consider factors such as home ownership, rent, childcare, taxes, food, transportation, and more.

BestPlaces Quiz

With our cutting edge, AI-enabled 22-question quiz, we determine the five best places for you to live in the United States, based on your preferences, where you can thrive and live a happier life.

Compare Cities

Let BestPlaces do the heavy lifting. Perform a detailed comparison of two cities based on metrics including crime, climate, jobs, economy, housing, commute, schools, and more.



INTERACTIVE MAP

Explore the US by Population


TESTIMONIALS

All of the leading data you need to make a well‑informed decision

I recommend the website if you are considering a move. Gives excellent stats on states and cities, plus lots of information is pulled together on just one site.
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Imagine a premium service that reveals the heartbeat of every city and state in the US with unrivaled reliability and accuracy. Our cost of living toolset, City Reports, custom quiz, suite of maps, and more empower you to save money and make informed decisions.









EXPLORE OUR NEWS

BestPlaces News Posts

Best Places In America For Viewing Cherry Blossoms

There's no better way to welcome the Spring season than by enjoying the glorious sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom. Although Japan is renowned for hosting some of the world's most magnificent cherry blossom festivals, America also plays host to some equally breathtaking venues. From coast to coast, here's a comprehensive list of the best places in America for viewing cherry blossoms.
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Top Pet Friendly Road Trip Destinations

In honor of National Pet Day on April 11th, BestPlaces and Motel 6 have partnered to present the best cities in the United States for visiting on a road trip with your cuddly companions. When you’re on the road it’s important to enjoy the trip, and that means finding cities like these which not only have great resources but also plenty of activities and sights to see.
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Best Places For Nature Lovers

Most Square Miles of State Park and Forest Area. The arrival of summer has the team at BestPlaces wondering, “Where are the best places for nature lovers?” To answer this question, we determined which places had easy access to the most square miles of state park and forest area.
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The Cost Of Living In Famous Tv Neighborhoods

See the cost of living in these iconic areas when you’re watching one of your favorite TV shows, have you wondered what it costs to live the lifestyle of the characters? It’s only natural! To prepare this, we consulted BestPlaces.net - the primary resource for United States cost of living data.
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