Progressive, safe, and welcoming communities.
| Rank | City | State | Population | Median Income | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York ★ Top Pick | NY | 8,258,035 | $76,577 | |
| 2 | CA | 3,820,963 | $79,701 | ||
| 3 | IL | 2,664,454 | $74,474 | ||
| 4 | TX | 2,311,461 | $62,637 | ||
| 5 | AZ | 1,650,051 | $79,664 | ||
| 6 | PA | 1,550,542 | $60,302 | ||
| 7 | TX | 1,495,312 | $62,322 | ||
| 8 | CA | 1,388,312 | $105,780 | ||
| 9 | TX | 1,302,859 | $70,121 | ||
| 10 | FL | 985,837 | $68,069 | ||
| 11 | TX | 979,700 | $91,501 | ||
| 12 | TX | 976,932 | $77,082 | ||
| 13 | CA | 969,615 | $136,229 | ||
| 14 | NC | 911,307 | $80,581 | ||
| 15 | OH | 909,074 | $62,350 |
Housing index, utilities, groceries, and transportation costs from Bureau of Labor Statistics.
FBI Uniform Crime Report data for violent and property crime rates per 100,000 residents.
Median household income, unemployment rates, and job market health from Census Bureau.
Median home prices and rental costs from Zillow Research and Census data.
New York, NY ranks #1 in our analysis with a population of 8,258,035 and a median household income of $76,577. With a cost of living index of 112.5, it's above the national average but offers strong value for what you get.
Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 in our analysis with a population of 3,820,963 and a median household income of $79,701. With a cost of living index of 115.5, it's above the national average but offers strong value for what you get.
Chicago, IL ranks #3 in our analysis with a population of 2,664,454 and a median household income of $74,474. The cost of living index of 102.6 is near the national average.
Houston, TX ranks #4 in our analysis with a population of 2,311,461 and a median household income of $62,637. The cost of living index of 100.2 is near the national average.
Phoenix, AZ ranks #5 in our analysis with a population of 1,650,051 and a median household income of $79,664. The cost of living index of 105.5 is near the national average.
Philadelphia, PA ranks #6 in our analysis with a population of 1,550,542 and a median household income of $60,302. The cost of living index of 103.5 is near the national average.
San Antonio, TX ranks #7 in our analysis with a population of 1,495,312 and a median household income of $62,322. The cost of living index of 93.7 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.
San Diego, CA ranks #8 in our analysis with a population of 1,388,312 and a median household income of $105,780. With a cost of living index of 111.5, it's above the national average but offers strong value for what you get.
Dallas, TX ranks #9 in our analysis with a population of 1,302,859 and a median household income of $70,121. The cost of living index of 103.3 is near the national average.
Jacksonville, FL ranks #10 in our analysis with a population of 985,837 and a median household income of $68,069. The cost of living index of 99.2 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.
Austin, TX ranks #11 in our analysis with a population of 979,700 and a median household income of $91,501. The cost of living index of 97.6 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.
Fort Worth, TX ranks #12 in our analysis with a population of 976,932 and a median household income of $77,082. The cost of living index of 103.3 is near the national average.
San Jose, CA ranks #13 in our analysis with a population of 969,615 and a median household income of $136,229. With a cost of living index of 112.9, it's above the national average but offers strong value for what you get.
Charlotte, NC ranks #14 in our analysis with a population of 911,307 and a median household income of $80,581. The cost of living index of 97 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.
Columbus, OH ranks #15 in our analysis with a population of 909,074 and a median household income of $62,350. The cost of living index of 94.5 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.
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