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