The 15 best cities to live in 2026 all have one thing in common: they're cheaper
· Business Insider
Michael Godek/Getty Images
- Affordability is more important than ever in choosing where to live.
- US News & World Report ranked the best places to live, and getting a deal was a high priority.
- A Midwestern city took the top spot, but the Sun Belt had a strong showing on the list.
Choosing a city to live in is a personal decision, but in an increasingly expensive housing market, affordability is more important than ever.
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"Every year we ask consumers what they're looking for in a place to live, and this year consumers overwhelmingly cited that they were looking for value and affordability," US News & World Report consumer lending analyst Erika Giovanetti told Business Insider. "They even said that they're looking for affordability over quality of life and desirability."
US News & World Report analyzed more than 850 US cities and ranked them based on four key indexes: value, quality of life, desirability, and job market. This year's rankings differ from previous years by weighting value higher than the other categories.
"Education, college readiness, access to healthcare — all of these things fall under quality of life, but consumers this year are really feeling it in their wallets, and they are willing to make sacrifices if it's about finding a more affordable place to live," Giovanetti said of the rationale.
While the Midwest has become the most affordable region of the country, a majority of the entries on US News' best cities to live in list are in Southern states.
Giovanetti noted that while affordability is an important factor this year, cities toward the top of the list are ones that demonstrate balance across all key categories. Johns Creek, Georgia, for example, finished first in last year's rankings, but dropped to fifth this year, mainly because it's pricier than other cities.
"Johns Creek ranks 232 for value, which is not so bad in the grand scheme of things, but it is one of the more higher priced cities that made the top of our list," she said.
Below, the best places to live in the US, according to US News & World Report.
15. Buffalo Grove, ILSkokie, Illinois, a city between Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and Chicago.halbergman/Getty Images
Population: 41,765
Median home value: $380,110
Median household income: $135,543
14. Parkland, FLParkland, Florida.felixmizioznikov/Getty Images
Population: 36,938
Median home value: $896,250
Median household income: $223,200
13. League City, TXLeague City, Texas.halbergman/Getty Images
Population: 109,083
Median home value: $344,265
Median household income: $123,032
12. Troy, MITroy, Michigan.AK / 500px/Getty Images
Population: 90,584
Median home value: $396,774
Median household income: $120,757
11. Cary, NCCary, North Carolina.zimmytws/Getty Images
Population: 182,416
Median home value: $570,890
Median household income: $136,700
10. Sugar Land, TXSugar Land, TX.Art Wager/Getty Images
Population: 114,818
Median home value: $431,815
Median household income: $140,511
9. Frisco, TXFrisco, Texas.Jean Burbano/Getty Images
Population: 229,028
Median home value: $627,426
Median household income: $152,749
8. Leander, TXWilliamson County, Texas, where Leander is located.Gene Maysonet / 500px/Getty Images
Population: 81,757
Median home value: $495,712
Median household income: $143,568
7. Rochester Hills, MIRochester Hills, Michigan.RiverNorthPhotography/Getty Images
Population: 77,520
Median home value: $388,231
Median household income: $119,938
6. Hoover, ALBirmingham, Alabama, just 10 miles outside Hoover.Leigh Ann Speake/Getty Images
Population: 91,649
Median home value: $382,915
Median household income: $104,005
5. Johns Creek, GAJohns Creek, Georgia.rodclementphotography/Getty Images
Population: 78,408
Median home value: $588,835
Median household income: $167,051
4. Ankeny, IAAnkeny, IA.Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images
Population: 78,414
Median home value: $331,417
Median household income: $107,871
3. Flower Mound, TXGrapevine Lake, which borders Flower Mound, Texas.Nathan Cannon/Getty Images
Population: 77,576
Median home value: $553,334
Median household income: $167,151
2. Fishers, INFishers, Indiana.Lindy Christopher/Getty Images
Population: 102,895
Median home value: $405,882
Median household income: $136,502
1. Carmel, INCarmel, Indiana.Michael Godek/Getty Images
Population: 103,768
Median home value: $477,625
Median household income: $144,615
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