The Most Livable City in Each State — Could You Afford a Home There?

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Could you manage to buy a home in the “nicest” city in your state?

It may depend on how you define “nicest,” which doesn’t necessarily mean “most expensive.” On the contrary, data-driven outlets like AreaVibes generally include affordability as they calculate livability scores. Other common factors include crime rates, health and safety, commutes, school ratings, environmental quality and weather.

Based on the most recent zero-to-100 livability scores from AreaVibes — combined with cost-of-living data from Sperlings BestPlaces, Zillow and other sources — average mortgage costs vary widely for the most livable cities in each state. In one state’s most livable city, an average mortgage will run you just $757 a month. In another state, it’s $19,061.

GOBankingRates has combined all of this data into a state-by-state list highlighting each state’s most livable spot, according to AreaVibes. The list also includes total population, the average value of a single-family home, the aforementioned average monthly mortgage cost and the average total monthly cost of living.

As for the livability ratings themselves, they range from 75 in Washington (the only option for the District of Columbia) to more sparkling 94s in the two states with the highest-rated cities.

If you’re thinking of moving to one of these locales, keep your eyes on housing prices. Word gets around when cities earn publicity for high livability scores, which can drive housing costs up.

Also see the safest and more affordable cities in the U.S.

 Alaska: Sitka

• Livability score: 85
• Total population: 8,462
• Average value of a single-family home: $494,482
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,946
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,064

Arizona: Gilbert

• Livability score: 89
• Total population: 267,267
• Average value of a single-family home: $589,668
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,513
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,401

 Arkansas: Rogers

• Livability score: 88
• Total population: 69,961
• Average value of a single-family home: $349,601
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,083
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,789

California: Cupertino

• Livability score: 88
• Total population: 59,763
• Average value of a single-family home: $3,199,416
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $19,061
• Average total monthly cost of living: $21,237

 Colorado: Lafayette

• Livability score: 90
• Total population: 30,295
• Average value of a single-family home: $744,320
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,434
• Average total monthly cost of living: $6,221

 Connecticut: New Milford

• Livability score: 85
• Total population: 7,095
• Average value of a single-family home: $475,530
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,833
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,866

 Delaware: Newark

• Livability score: 83
• Total population: 30,655
• Average value of a single-family home: $352,939
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,103
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,155

 District of Columbia: Washington

• Livability score: 75
• Total population: 670,587
• Average value of a single-family home: $732,079
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,361
• Average total monthly cost of living: $6,469

 Florida: Wilton Manors

• Livability score: 91
• Total population: 11,451
• Average value of a single-family home: $769,550
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,585
• Average total monthly cost of living: $6,588

 Georgia: Avondale Estates

• Livability score: 87
• Total population: 3,507
• Average value of a single-family home: $597,840
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,562
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,563

 Hawaii: Kailua

• Livability score: 83
• Total population: 40,323
• Average value of a single-family home: $1,551,469
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $9,243
• Average total monthly cost of living: $11,616

 Idaho: Post Falls

• Livability score: 88
• Total population: 40,002
• Average value of a single-family home: $502,415
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,993
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,739

 Illinois: Jerome

• Livability score: 92
• Total population: 2,194
• Average value of a single-family home: $141,152
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $841
• Average total monthly cost of living: $2,664

 Indiana: West Lafayette

• Livability score: 90
• Total population: 44,861
• Average value of a single-family home: $359,679
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,143
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,835

 I­­­owa: Ankeny

• Livability score: 92
• Total population: 68,392
• Average value of a single-family home: $348,897
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,079
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,873

 Kansas: Lawrence

• Livability score: 88
• Total population: 95,103
• Average value of a single-family home: $313,306
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,867
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,851

 Kentucky: Bellevue

• Livability score: 92
• Total population: 5,596
• Average value of a single-family home: $232,956
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,388
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,225

 Louisiana: Metairie

• Livability score: 85
• Total population: 140,046
• Average value of a single-family home: $294,384
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,754
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,645

 Maine: Freeport

• Livability score: 88
• Total population: 1,848
• Average value of a single-family home: $656,489
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,911
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,708

 Maryland: University Park

• Livability score: 93
• Total population: 2,610
• Average value of a single-family home: $676,458
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,030
• Average total monthly cost of living: $6,030

 Massachusetts: Lexington

• Livability score: 92
• Total population: 34,221
• Average value of a single-family home: $1,678,221
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $9,998
• Average total monthly cost of living: $12,000

 Michigan: Clawson

• Livability score: 92
• Total population: 11,388
• Average value of a single-family home: $286,904
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,709
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,484

 Minnesota: Rochester

• Livability score: 92
• Total population: 120,848
• Average value of a single-family home: $333,946
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,989
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,701

 Mississippi: Oxford

• Livability score: 88
• Total population: 25,713
• Average value of a single-family home: $355,918
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,120
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,892

 Missouri: Maplewood

• Livability score: 87
• Total population: 8,205
• Average value of a single-family home: $262,801
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,566
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,336

 Montana: Bozeman

• Livability score: 87
• Total population: 53,500
• Average value of a single-family home: $840,552
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $5,008
• Average total monthly cost of living: $6,940

 Nebraska: Bellevue

• Livability score: 87
• Total population: 63,336
• Average value of a single-family home: $287,896
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,715
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,613

 Nevada: Las Vegas

• Livability score: 82
• Total population: 644,835
• Average value of a single-family home: $445,368
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,653
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,609

New Hampshire: Concord

• Livability score: 88
• Total population: 44,049
• Average value of a single-family home: $443,470
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,642
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,379

 New Jersey: Pompton Lakes

• Livability score: 92
• Total population: 11,052
• Average value of a single-family home: $505,802
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,013
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,047

 New Mexico: Los Alamos

• Livability score: 81
• Total population: 13,460
• Average value of a single-family home: $583,906
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,479
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,084

 New York: Pittsford

• Livability score: 93
• Total population: 1,644
• Average value of a single-family home: $469,157
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,795
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,710

 North Carolina: Cary

• Livability score: 90
• Total population: 174,880
• Average value of a single-family home: $648,080
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,861
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,646

 North Dakota: Fargo

• Livability score: 84
• Total population: 127,319
• Average value of a single-family home: $305,933
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,823
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,539

 Ohio: Grandview Heights

• Livability score: 94
• Total population: 8,258
• Average value of a single-family home: $559,580
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,334
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,101

 Oklahoma: Norman

• Livability score: 83
• Total population: 127,701
• Average value of a single-family home: $257,825
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,536
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,401

 Oregon: Sherwood

• Livability score: 92
• Total population: 20,286
• Average value of a single-family home: $667,107
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,974
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,864

 Pennsylvania: Jenkintown

• Livability score: 94
• Total population: 4,703
• Average value of a single-family home: $517,453
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,083
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,039

 Rhode Island: Cranston

• Livability score: 85
• Total population: 82,691
• Average value of a single-family home: $424,290
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,528
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,419

 South Carolina: Simpsonville

• Livability score: 86
• Total population: 24,133
• Average value of a single-family home: $368,773
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,197
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,973

 South Dakota: Brandon

• Livability score: 87
• Total population: 10,919
• Average value of a single-family home: $381,333
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,272
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,050

 Tennessee: Clarksville

• Livability score: 83
• Total population: 167,882
• Average value of a single-family home: $306,831
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,828
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,609

 Texas: The Woodlands

• Livability score: 91
• Total population: 118,402
• Average value of a single-family home: $517,000
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,080
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,929

 Utah: Kaysville

• Livability score: 89
• Total population: 32,714
• Average value of a single-family home: $645,458
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,845
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,618

 Vermont: Essex Junction

• Livability score: 90
• Total population: 10,646
• Average value of a single-family home: $515,992
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,074
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,173

 Virginia: Lynchburg

• Livability score: 91
• Total population: 79,166
• Average value of a single-family home: $254,394
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,516
• Average total monthly cost of living: $3,283

 Washington: Monroe North

• Livability score: 91
• Total population: 1,880
• Average value of a single-family home: $736,600
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,388
• Average total monthly cost of living: $6,176

 West Virginia: Nutter Fort

• Livability score: 87
• Total population: 1,700
• Average value of a single-family home: $127,002
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $757
• Average total monthly cost of living: $2,644

 Wisconsin: Whitefish Bay

• Livability score: 93
• Total population: 14,804
• Average value of a single-family home: $600,376
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,577
• Average total monthly cost of living: $5,402

 Wyoming: Cheyenne

• Livability score: 83
• Total population: 64,795
• Average value of a single-family home: $368,600
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,196
• Average total monthly cost of living: $4,183

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates first sourced the highest livability city in each state from AreaVibes. A number of factors were determined for each city, including total population, total households and household median income (all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey); cost-of-living indexes (sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces) and the average single-family home value from May 2024 (sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index). Average mortgage costs were calculated assuming a 10% downpayment and using the 30-year fixed mortgage rate as sourced from Federal Reserve Economic Data. The total cost of living was calculated by combining the average monthly mortgage and average monthly expenditures. All data was collected on and is up to date as of July 9, 2024.

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