The Best City To Live In Every State

Belgrade, Montana, is a small city about 10 miles northwest of Bozeman. It offers residents a smaller town alternative to the larger nearby city and ranks as the best place to live in the state. The city offers residents a farmers market, a brewery, a park, multiple restaurants, and several annual festivals. Unemployment in Belgrade is also low. An average of only 2.9% of the labor force have been out of work in the last five years, compared to the statewide 4.0% five-year average.

Like many desirable places to live in the United States, Belgrade is growing rapidly. In the last half decade, the number of people living in the city has climbed by 13.9%, well outpacing the comparable 4.4% statewide population growth.

Papillion, a city of about 20,000 residents in eastern Nebraska, ranks as the best place to live in the state. Located just outside of Omaha, residents have access to jobs in and around Nebraska’s most populous city. Papillion itself also has employment opportunities. Recently, Amazon announced plans for a 700,000 square foot fulfillment center in the area that will create an estimated 1,000 full time jobs. The city’s five-year average unemployment rate of 2.5% is already below both the state and national averages of 3.3% and 5.3%, respectively.

Papillion is also an affordable place to live. The typical area home is worth $189,900, just 2.4 times more than the median annual household income in the area of $80,619. Meanwhile, across the United States, the typical home is worth 3.5 times more than median household income.

The western Nevada city of Reno ranks as the best place to live in the state. Reno has a higher concentration of cultural and entertainment amenities such as bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, and theater companies compared to the state as a whole.

Reno residents also benefit from a favorable property tax code. Homeowners pay just 0.5% of their total home value in real estate taxes annually. Meanwhile, across Nevada, homeowners pay 1.0% and nationwide they pay 1.1% of their total home value in taxes each year.

Portsmouth, a city of about 22,000 located in the southeastern corner of New Hampshire near the Atlantic coast ranks as the best place to live in the state. The city offers residents easy access to a wide range of amenities that contribute to overall quality of life, including museums, beaches, breweries, parks, historic landmarks, golf courses, and shopping.

Economic conditions in Portsmouth are also favorable. The city’s five-year average unemployment rate of 2.1% is well below both the state and national averages of 3.6% and 5.3%, respectively. Additionally, the typical area household earns $83,923 a year, compared to the statewide median income of $76,768.

Hoboken, a city of about 53,000 located directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan, ranks as the best place to live in New Jersey. In addition to views of the New York City skyline and access to entertainment, culture, and jobs in the largest U.S. city, Hoboken residents have a higher than average concentration of bars, restaurants, and gyms per capita.

Hohoken residents also benefit from strong economic conditions. The city’s five-year average unemployment rate of 3.0% is well below both the state and national averages of 5.5% and 5.3%, respectively. Additionally, the typical area household earns $147,620 a year, compared to the statewide median of $82,545.