Money.com recently released their 50 Best places to Live in the U.S. list. To create their list, they looked at:
- Local job market health
- Average housing costs – both ownership and rental
- Percentage of residents living under the poverty line
- Quality of schools
While our article Top Ten States With the Best Economies In 2024 looked at only economy data to find the best places to start a post-military career, this report took a more holistic approach by looking primarily at the above four factors – all important ones if trying to decide where to move your family after getting out of the military.
Top U.S. Cities for 2024
With these and all the other the factors considered, 10 cities came out on top of the list.
1. Metuchen, NJ
While close to New York City, this town has the small-town feeling. Its school district is rated among the state’s top 50 as evidenced by its excellent teachers and impressive student test scores. If living in Metuchen but working in NYC, the commuter train can get you to work in under an hour saving the wear and tear on not only your car, but also on you.
- Population:14,985
- Median Home Listing Price: $616,000
- Unemployment Rate: 4.10%
2. Ybor City, FL
Ybor City is the unsung hero of a town in the Tampa area. With it being a melting pot of Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants, it has a rich architecture, art and cuisine culture. One of its main attractions is 7th Avenue filled with boutique shops, award-winning dining and lively venues – many housed in its old cigar factories from its past that have been renovated into new businesses.
- Population: 5,000
- Median Home Listing Price: $322,000
- Unemployment Rate: 3%
3. Chattanooga, TN
Known as the Scenic City, Chattanooga is located at the base of the Appalachian Mountains and surrounded by lakes, forest and the Tennessee River. So, if kayaking, whitewater rafting and rock climbing are your sports of choice, this is the place to be. If art is what you like, “Chatt” has the Hunter Museum of American Art, along with over 100 permanent art installations scattered throughout the city.
- Population: 184,086
- Median Home Listing Price: $352,500
- Unemployment Rate: 3%
4. Portland, ME
The largest city in Maine, it is rapidly expanding its art and cuisine cultures. With its walkable downtown, getting around is easy. And if you are a fan of nature, mountains, the ocean and lakes are just a short distance away from this city of less than 70,000.
- Population: 68,424
- Median Home Listing Price: $735,000
- Unemployment Rate: 2.80%
5. Cincinnati, OH
This city might not come immediately to mind as being a great place to live, but it has transformed a neglected neighborhood into a hub of activity. Hundreds of both commercial and residential buildings have been restored and renovated as part of one of the largest urban renewal projects in America. And that is just a start – with its “modernization without suburanization” concept, more development is on the way. Recently it snapped a 60-year population loss and is now on the upswing again with more and more people recognizing its potential and moderate cost of living.
- Population: 309,513
- Median Home Listing Price: $259,900
- Unemployment Rate: 2.80%
6. Babcock Ranch, FL
With a population just over 5,000, this small but mighty town is America’s first totally solar-powered town that prides itself on sustainability and self-sufficiency. This master-planned community is 30 miles inland and 30 feet above sea level to reduce flooding from storm surges. It also has retaining ponds and streets designed to absorb flood waters if they do happen – in Florida, there is always that chance.
- Population: > 5,000
- Median Home Listing Price: $464,800
- Unemployment Rate: 3.30%
7. Bisbee, AZ
Located in the foothills of the Mule Mountains just above the U.S./Mexican border, this quaint former copper mining town is home to a thriving population of artists and historians. Bisbee has maintained its historic past with building facades of the Victorian and Art Deco eras. Behind those facades of the century-old buildings are art galleries, bars, cafes, shops and museums.
- Population: 5,008
- Median Home Listing Price: $290,000
- Unemployment Rate: 3.60%
8. La Crosse, WI
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, this northern Midwest town not only has a thriving art scene, but some of the best freshwater fishing in the U.S. Outdoor recreation is huge in this area with hiking, climbing and boating in addition to fishing. With a plethora of art galleries and small theaters, the artistically inclined will be well rewarded.
- Population: 51,380
- Median Home Listing Price: $264,900
- Unemployment Rate: 2.20%
9. Thomasville, GA
At the other end of the U.S. north to south is this small Georgia town of just under 20,000. Located just above the Florida border, homes here are affordable. But there is more to come. The city is just halfway through its blueprint for 2028 which it is using to renovate its downtown by in part converting parking lots into an amphitheater and developing eight walkable centers in nearby areas.
- Population: 18,460
- Median Home Listing Price: $297,000
- Unemployment Rate: 3.10%
10. Camas, WA
From the Southeast, let’s go kitty-corner up to the Pacific Northwest. This city dates back to 1883 when its primary product was paper from its paper mill. While the paper mill is still operating today, Camas upgraded itself with a walkable bustling downtown area with shops, jewelry stores, restaurants, hotels and even an opera house. Also, not only is the job market strong here, but so is its school system. The students here score 19% and 20% higher than the state average in reading and math, respectively.
- Population: 27,371
- Median Home Listing Price: $865,600
- Unemployment Rate: 5%
As you can see, there is something for everyone in this list of Ten Best Cities to live in the U.S for 2024. With more research, these cities could (and should) factor into making your decision on where to live, work and play in the next chapter of your life. If you would like to peruse the other 40 cities in the report, go to Money.com.
