The 10 Best US Cities To Live in and How Much It’ll Cost You

As reported by CNBC, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) recently released its Global Liveability Index. This report ranks cities across the world based on five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Vienna, Austria took the leading position for the third year in a row, followed by Copenhagen, Denmark, and Zurich, Switzerland. While cities in other countries took top rankings, several U.S. cities made the list of 173. 

Here are the 10 best U.S. cities to live in, according to the EIU’s Global Liveability Index, and how much it’ll cost you to live there.

• Cost of living: 7.2% higher than the national average

Ranking in at No. 10, Minneapolis has a cost of living only slightly higher than the national average. Housing is 13% less expensive than the U.S. average, with a typical home costing $294,200. Healthcare is considerably more affordable, coming in at over 24% under what the average person pays nationwide.

• Cost of living: 145.5% higher than the national average

While culture and arts may be abundant in San Francisco, so is the cost of living. Driving up this high cost of living are home prices that are 166% more expensive than the average in the U.S. A typical home in the city costs approximately $1,237,600. Transportation costs are also 58% above the national average, meaning you will need to factor in more money to get around the city.

• Cost of living: 18.9% higher than the national average

Miami is known for its nightlife, pristine beaches, and Cuban culture, but it isn’t cheap to live there. A typical home costs approximately $524,600, which is 55% above the national average. Renting an apartment in the area is pricier, too. You can expect to pay around $1,950 for a two-bedroom apartment, or 36% more than the average in the U.S.

• Cost of living: 50.8% higher than the national average

Steeped in history and unforgettable accents, Boston ranks as the 7th best city in the U.S. to live. A typical house in the area costs around $656,500, over 94% more expensive than the national average. You will pay 11% more for groceries but can make up for it with lower-than-average healthcare costs. 

• Cost of living: 5.7% higher than the national average

At just over the average cost of living in the U.S., Chicago is considered an affordable city. A typical home runs about $284,100 or 16% under the national average. If you rent in the area, you can expect to pay a little over the average in the U.S. at $1,480 per month for a two-bedroom unit. 

• Cost of living: 51.9% higher than the national average

According to BestPlaces, it would take a minimum annual income of $123,480 for a family to live comfortably in Washington, D.C. Driving up the cost of living are things like higher than average housing costs. A typical home in the area costs approximately $644,900 and is 91% more expensive than the average in the U.S.

• Cost of living: 58.1% higher than the national average

A typical home in Seattle, Washington, costs around $823,900 and is 144% more expensive than the average in the U.S. Renting a two-bedroom apartment will set you back around $2,410, about 69% over the national average. On the other hand, utilities and healthcare costs are both less expensive than the average in the U.S., helping you to save money on these items each month. 

• Cost of living: 8.2% lower than the national average

Pittsburgh is the only city in the top ten to have a cost of living under the national average. Affordability in the area is driven by housing costs that are nearly 40% less expensive than the average across the U.S. A typical home in the city costs $204,700. Renting is also more cost-effective, at only $1.280 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. 

• Cost of living: 13.3% higher than the national average

Ranking 2nd on the list of best cities in the U.S. is Atlanta, Georgia. Living in The Big A requires a minimum income of $69,840 for a family. A typical home costs around $364,300 and is slightly above the national average. While transportation and housing are more expensive than the overall average in the U.S., groceries and healthcare are just under, allowing you to save money in these areas each month.

• Cost of living: 71.5% higher than the national average

Topping the list for the best U.S. city to live in is Honolulu, Hawaii. A typical home in Honolulu is $778,600, or 130.3% more expensive than the national average. Since most goods have to be imported to the island, groceries are also more costly. Annual food costs are around 39% higher than the average in the U.S. Utilities and transportation are also more expensive, but living in paradise may just be priceless.