City Rankings
Best Places to Live
Data-driven rankings for 700+ US cities. Find the best city based on what matters most to you — cost, safety, jobs, or lifestyle.
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Best Overall Cities 2026
Ranked by income-to-cost ratio (purchasing power) with safety as a factor. These cities offer the best balance of opportunity and affordability.
| Rank | City | Median Income | COL | Crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sunnyvale, CA | $189,443 | 112.90 | 178 |
| #2 | Carmel, IN | $143,676 | 94.60 | 89 |
| #3 | Naperville, IL | $152,181 | 102.60 | 89 |
| #4 | Santa Clara, CA | $166,228 | 112.90 | 500 |
| #5 | Fremont, CA | $170,934 | 118.20 | 234 |
| #6 | Bellevue, WA | $158,253 | 113.00 | 178 |
| #7 | Frisco, TX | $141,129 | 103.30 | 123 |
| #8 | Sugar Land, TX | $133,144 | 100.20 | 145 |
| #9 | Cary, NC | $129,607 | 98.00 | 89 |
| #10 | San Mateo, CA | $152,913 | 118.20 | 234 |
| #11 | Fishers, IN | $121,382 | 94.60 | 89 |
| #12 | Thousand Oaks, CA | $139,172 | 113.50 | 123 |
| #13 | Allen, TX | $126,549 | 103.30 | 134 |
| #14 | San Jose, CA | $136,229 | 112.90 | 422 |
| #15 | Cambridge, MA | $134,307 | 111.60 | 234 |
Best for Families
Low crime + affordable cost of living
Best for Remote Workers
Low COL + good income potential
Our Ranking Methodology
Ocity Score Formula
- • 35% — Cost of Living Index
- • 25% — Median Income / Purchasing Power
- • 20% — Crime Rate (per 100k)
- • 10% — Education (% with degrees)
- • 10% — Amenities & Weather
Data Sources
- • US Census Bureau (population, income)
- • Bureau of Labor Statistics (employment)
- • FBI Uniform Crime Reporting
- • NOAA (weather data)
- • Zillow (housing prices)
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