2024 Review: The Best Cities and States in the U.S., According to Americans

Best Cities in America, Ranked | Top 15 Cities | Bottom 10 Cities | Best States in America, Ranked | Top 15 States | Bottom 10 States | Methodology | FAQ 

Friendly communities. Innovative food scenes. Stunning natural beauty. These are the qualities Americans value most in their cities. But which ones best embodied these traits in 2024?

To find out, we asked 1,000 Americans to rate the 50 most-populous U.S. metros on nine quality-of-life metrics. We then ranked the cities by their highest cumulative score to create our overall Best of 2024 standings. 

We found that Americans think Nashville, Tennessee, is the best U.S. city in 2024. Not only does the city have the highest cumulative score, it also ranks No. 1 for nicest residents. 

Meanwhile, Detroit's last-place finish highlights how much work the city still has to repair its image among the general public. Americans gave Motor City poor scores across the board, including a No. 1 ranking for ugliest place and a No. 5 ranking for least desirable city. 

The same formula was used to rank the best states, with North Carolina rising to the top and New Jersey falling to the bottom of Americans' list.

Keep reading to find out how your city and state fared in our Best of 2024 ranking.

Best Cities in America, Ranked

		Positive Traits					Negative Traits
Overall Rank	Metro/City	Most Desirable Rank	Most Underrated Rank	Prettiest Place Rank	Nicest Residents Rank	Best Food Rank	Least Desirable Rank	Ugliest Place Rank	Rudest Residents Rank	Most Annoying Residents Rank
1	Nashville, TN	4	11	14	1	11	43	49	45	47
2	Denver, CO	8	13	1	10	32	49	50	50	41
3	Raleigh, NC	6	4	18	6	25	46	47	43	44
4	Charlotte, NC	2	1	7	2	20	42	40	35	28
5	Virginia Beach, VA	3	1	1	3	13	20	46	28	20
6	Orlando, FL	5	22	13	10	21	26	44	32	22
7	Memphis, TN	23	17	32	17	19	38	35	42	43
8	Jacksonville, FL	16	12	23	20	30	33	40	35	28
9	New Orleans, LA	28	47	17	16	2	25	45	40	32
10	Austin, TX	11	3	19	5	8	15	25	18	15
11	Louisville, KY	31	16	37	24	33	43	40	39	46
12	Richmond, VA	29	23	35	29	35	50	48	37	41
13	Tampa, FL	1	5	5	7	10	11	20	11	9
14	Phoenix, AZ	19	33	19	30	38	32	35	44	48
15	Atlanta, GA	7	9	11	4	7	9	15	13	14
16	San Diego, CA	15	20	10	18	26	22	33	23	24
17	Boston, MA	13	6	9	8	6	18	17	7	4
18	San Antonio, TX	22	17	28	19	15	26	23	21	33
19	Seattle, WA	13	7	6	9	17	13	16	15	10
20	Las Vegas, NV	9	39	12	22	4	17	25	18	17
21	Miami, FL	10	45	4	27	18	14	40	16	18
22	Providence, RI	30	27	25	34	37	37	30	30	39
23	Portland, OR	27	31	22	31	33	31	33	34	26
24	Hartford, CT	25	26	33	38	44	39	37	33	36
25	Kansas City, MO	43	37	45	39	29	47	39	48	37
26	Dallas, TX	18	28	26	15	14	16	28	11	16
27	Salt Lake City, UT	33	19	21	24	46	26	31	27	27
28	San Francisco, CA	17	28	3	13	3	3	12	6	3
29	Minneapolis, MN	49	45	44	41	44	47	38	49	48
30	Indianapolis, IN	45	37	50	43	50	45	32	46	50
31	Houston, TX	24	42	39	26	23	21	27	26	23
32	Columbus, OH	44	32	48	44	41	40	21	41	44
33	Washington, DC	20	21	8	13	12	1	3	2	2
34	St. Louis, MO	35	15	31	21	15	12	9	14	13
35	Birmingham, AL	35	13	30	10	27	8	7	17	11
36	San Jose, CA	34	23	33	40	31	19	29	20	21
37	Oklahoma City, OK	41	39	49	34	46	35	14	47	40
38	Baltimore, MD	32	8	24	23	24	7	5	8	8
39	Cincinnati, OH	46	30	42	48	40	34	22	31	34
40	Pittsburgh, PA	40	23	40	37	35	26	8	25	28
41	Milwaukee, WI	48	33	47	44	48	36	18	38	37
42	New York, NY	11	49	15	27	1	2	2	1	1
43	Los Angeles, CA	21	48	16	31	9	6	11	4	6
44	Sacramento, CA	38	41	36	47	41	26	24	23	25
45	Buffalo, NY	39	10	27	33	28	10	4	5	7
46	Chicago, IL	26	35	29	36	5	4	6	3	5
47	Riverside, CA	50	50	41	49	49	40	19	29	35
48	Cleveland, OH	42	36	43	44	39	22	10	22	31
49	Philadelphia, PA	37	44	38	42	22	22	13	10	19
50	Detroit, MI	47	42	45	50	43	5	1	9	12

Top 15 Cities to Live in the U.S.

1. Nashville, TN

Americans consider Nashville the best city in the U.S. — giving it the highest cumulative score across nine metrics. 

Nashville boasts a famous music scene, outstanding food, a strong job market, and a unique mix of urban and natural beauty. With its many murals and picturesque waterfront areas, it's no surprise Americans ranked it the 14th-prettiest city.

With so much to offer visitors and residents alike, Nashville ranked fourth in overall desirability among Americans. 

Not only does Nashville have plenty to see and do, it's also full of welcoming and friendly inhabitants — ranking No. 1 for nicest residents. At the same time, Americans think Nashville has some of the least rude and annoying residents, with the city ranking No. 45 and No. 47 in those metrics, respectively. 

2. Denver, CO

Sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, an extensive trail system, and easy access to the outdoors — making it a clear choice for prettiest city in America. 

The city's population has boomed as Americans flock to the great outdoors, but residents aren't letting the growing pains make them grumpy. Denver ranks 10th for nicest residents while ranking No. 41 for most annoying residents and No. 50 for rudest residents.  

Although Denver is best known for its scenery and outdoor recreation, the city also has excellent entertainment options, career opportunities, and quality schools — earning an eighth-place rank in overall desirability.

Denver performed well across most of our metrics but fell below the median in the best food category — coming in at No. 32. However, Americans may be seriously underestimating Denver's food scene. Previous Clever research ranked Denver as the No. 1 city for pizza and No. 4 city for coffee in the U.S.

3. Raleigh, NC

As the fourth-most underrated city, Raleigh doesn't receive the same level of national recognition as other major metros, but it boasts nearly all the same amenities that make a place great to live. North Carolina's capital is home to a strong job market, affordable cost of living, quality schools, and easy access to the outdoors. 

Although Raleigh has all the big-city amenities, it's still got a friendly small-town feel, ranking No. 6 for nicest residents. At the same time, Americans consider Raleigh residents some of the least rude and annoying, ranking No. 43 and No. 44 in those metrics, respectively. 

All these qualities combine to impress Americans, who rank the city as the sixth-most desirable in the U.S. 

4. Charlotte, NC

Charlotte ranks just below Raleigh on the overall list — but maybe not for long. Charlotte is a city on the rise, ranking as the No. 1 most underrated city in America and the No. 2 most desirable. 

Like Raleigh, the Queen City has a strong job market and an affordable cost of living with plenty of things to do — from football games to breweries and nearby mountains. However, Americans think Charlotte is more aesthetically pleasing, ranking it as the No. 7 prettiest place, compared to No. 18 for Raleigh. 

Charlotte also outranks Raleigh in the nicest residents category. Charlotte residents may be considered the second nicest, but Americans rank them higher than Raleigh residents in negative qualities. 

For example, Charlotte residents are considered the 28th most annoying and the 35th rudest, while Raleigh residents are considered the 44th most annoying and the 43rd rudest.

5. Virginia Beach, VA

Charlotte isn't the only city that doesn't get enough attention, according to Americans. Virginia Beach is tied with the Queen City for most underrated city in the U.S. What Virginia Beach lacks in luxury, it makes up for in affordability — making it one of the best places to live, work, and play for unpretentious Americans.

The city offers stunning coastal views along miles of sandy beaches, as well as lush nature preserves with dozens of trails for viewing wildlife. This seamless access to the outdoors makes Virginia Beach one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S. In fact, it's tied with Denver as the prettiest place in America.  

Virginia Beach also boasts two other top-five rankings, placing third for both nicest residents and overall desirability.

6. Orlando, FL

Orlando's official nickname is The City Beautiful, and Americans couldn't agree more — ranking it the No. 13 prettiest place in America. Beyond the theme park parking lots, Orlando is home to year-round sunny weather, nearby beaches, and well-kept green spaces. 

Exploring the city's natural beauty is just one of many things to do in Orlando. In addition to outdoor recreational opportunities, the city has more shopping and theme parks than you can shake a magic wand at. But being a tourist destination doesn't appeal to everyone, and Americans are split in their opinions. While Orlando ranks as the No. 5 most desirable city, it is also the 26th least desirable city in the U.S. 

Southern hospitality is alive and well in Orlando, which ranks No. 10 for nicest residents. But Orlando residents, like all Floridians, can't seem to shake their notoriously weird reputation. Americans think Orlando's residents are more irritating than most — ranking the city No. 22 in the most annoying residents category.

7. Memphis, TN

Memphis has struggled with crime and urban decay in recent years, but Americans think it still has a lot to offer — ranking it the No. 17 most underrated city. 

Memphis is steeped in music history, launching the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and other early rock ’n' roll artists. It also serves up acclaimed ribs, pulled pork, and brisket — ranking as the No. 19 best food city, especially among barbecue lovers. 

Although Memphis didn't rank particularly high in any single metric, it performed well enough across the board to earn the No. 7 spot — surpassing cities that may have performed very well in one category but very poorly in another. 

The only metric in which Memphis fell below the median was in the prettiest place category — coming in at No. 32. Although Beale Street and other areas have been revitalized, development hasn't been evenly distributed, leaving many parts of the city in visible disrepair.

8. Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville may be the largest city in Florida, but despite its size, the state's more popular cities often overshadow it. Americans say Jacksonville is the 12th-most underrated city in the U.S. and the 16th-most desirable. 

Jacksonville is a great place to live thanks to its year-round warm weather, easy access to beaches, strong job market, and affordable cost of living compared to other cities in Florida and the U.S. 

The city is also welcoming to newcomers with lots of opportunities for people who have similar interests to connect. Jacksonville ranks 20th for nicest residents, while ranking below the median for rude and annoying residents at No. 35 and No. 28, respectively. 

Jacksonville could have ranked higher but was held back by its 30th-place rank in the best food category. Although Jacksonville has access to fresh seafood, it hasn't leveraged that advantage to create a culinary identity that distinguishes itself from other U.S. cities.

9. New Orleans, LA

New Orleans has a culture unlike any other in the U.S. French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Native American traditions have made their mark on the city, leading to distinct music, festivals, and architecture. Beautiful historic buildings, particularly in the French Quarter, contribute to the city's unique aesthetic, which Americans rank as the 17th prettiest in the U.S.  

Residents also have access to numerous museums, parks, and sporting events, but the favorite pastime in the Big Easy is eating. New Orleans is the No. 2 food city — only behind New York — thanks to a fusion of cuisines that has led to iconic dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, and the po'boy sandwich.

Although New Orleans is widely celebrated for its culture, it's no hidden gem, and it's not always a desirable place to live. The city is prone to lots of crime, hurricanes, and overcrowding from tourists, which may have caused it to fall below the median in two metrics. New Orleans ranks No. 47 out of 50 on the list of underrated cities, and No. 28 out of 50 on the list of desirable cities. 

10. Austin, TX

As the No. 11 most desirable city, Austin has charmed Americans with its vibrant art, live music, and scenic nature spots — despite its reputation for being "weird." 

Austin is also home to the eighth-best food scene in America that caters to a variety of culinary preferences. The Texas capital is especially known for its iconic tacos and barbecue — ranking as the No. 1 and No. 2 city, respectively, for those foods in 2022 — but it's also home to gourmet food trucks, multicultural restaurants, and farm-to-table eateries

Austin's welcoming community shouldn't be downplayed either. Americans rank Austin residents as the fifth nicest — reflecting the city's strong commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Although Austin residents are certainly friendly, their strong sense of state pride can come off as a little excessive. Americans also rank Austin residents as the 18th rudest and 15th most annoying in the U.S.

11. Louisville, KY

Although it's Kentucky's largest city, Louisville often flies under the radar, despite all this city has to offer. A majority of Americans know about Louisville's famous attractions — the Kentucky Derby and the Louisville Slugger Museum. But Louisville also has beautiful parks, numerous festivals, and a walkable downtown that make it the 16th-most underrated city in the U.S. 

Louisville is known for its friendly residents, whom Americans regard as some of the most agreeable in the U.S. Out of all 50 cities studied, Louisville residents rank a lowly No. 39 for rudest residents and No. 46 for most annoying residents. 

12. Richmond, VA

Americans think Richmond, the creative capital of Virginia, deserves more attention, ranking it the No. 23 most underrated city in the U.S. Located on the James River, Richmond has many recreational opportunities along the waterfront, as well as numerous music festivals, historic sites, and museums thanks to its ties to the American Revolution and Civil War. 

Although Richmond stands out for all that it has to offer, it is equally notable for what it lacks. Richmond ranks last in the least desirable city metric, indicating many Americans still find it appealing. It also ranks near the bottom in the rudest and most annoying residents categories, placing 37th and 41st out of 50, respectively.  

Americans clearly don't have a negative view of Richmond, but they don't have a particularly positive one either, which kept the city from placing higher in the ranking. The city fell below the median in a few key metrics, including No. 29 for most desirable city and No. 35 for best food city.

13. Tampa, FL

It's not hard to understand why Americans believe Tampa is the most desirable city in the U.S. Tampa boasts a lower cost of living and a lower crime rate than most big cities. Not to mention, its year-round warm, sunny weather and sandy beaches make it one of the most beautiful cities — ranking No. 5 for prettiest place in America. 

Add in a robust food scene, complete with fresh seafood and Latin cuisine, which ranks 10th among Americans, and Tampa checks practically all the boxes that make a place desirable. 

Tampa could have ranked higher, but it underperformed in a few key metrics. The city ranked No. 9 for most annoying residents and No. 11 for rudest residents.

14. Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix isn't just an escape for Californians looking for a more affordable city while still enjoying sunny weather. It's a popular place for all Americans — from young professionals to families and retirees. Phoenix has a booming job market, professional sports teams, and ample outdoor recreation opportunities. 

Thanks to the year-round warm weather, Phoenix residents can get out and explore the rugged rock formations, sculpted sand dunes, unique flora, and vibrant sunsets that make this city the 19th most beautiful in the U.S. 

Although Phoenix residents aren't unkind, they aren't considered as friendly or welcoming as those in other cities, however. Phoenix fell below the median in the nicest residents category, placing 30th. Phoenix residents may not be regarded as overly friendly, but they aren't considered rude or annoying either. Out of all 50 cities studied, Phoenix ranked No. 44 and No. 48 in those metrics, respectively.

15. Atlanta, GA

Atlanta rounds out the top 15 cities in the U.S. after getting top marks in our positive metrics but leading the pack in our negative metrics, too.

On the positive side, Atlanta ranks as the seventh-best food city, serving up everything from Southern soul food to international cuisine. Yet Atlanta's food culture is just one part of what makes it the seventh-most desirable city in the U.S. and the ninth-most underrated city to boot. 

The city also boasts multiple professional sports teams, a thriving entertainment industry, and a diverse economy that's home to global brands, such as Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines.  

On the negative side, Southern hospitality is still valued, but the nature of big-city life may make inhabitants less likely to engage with strangers. Americans think Atlanta residents can come off rude or annoying, with the city ranking 13th and 14th in those categories, respectively.  

Atlanta also lacks the natural beauty of coastal cities and the historic charm of smaller locales. In comparison, Atlanta's urban sprawl and extensive highway system can be an eye-sore, ranking No. 15 on the ugliest places list.

Bottom 10 Cities to Live in the U.S.

Deserved or not, some U.S. cities have developed a bad reputation among the general public. Americans consistently gave these 10 metros the lowest ratings across various metrics, causing them to fall to the bottom of our ranking:

1. Detroit, MI
2. Philadelphia, PA
3. Cleveland, OH
4. Riverside, CA
5. Chicago, IL
6. Buffalo, NY
7. Sacramento, CA
8. Los Angeles, CA
9. New York, NY
10. Milwaukee, WI

Detroit has the worst cumulative score among all 50 cities studied — ranking high in our negative metrics and low in our positive metrics. 

Notably, Detroit ranks No. 1 for ugliest city, as urban decay makes this former manufacturing metropolis look bleak and uninviting. Motor City also ranks No. 5 for least desirable city, No. 9 for rudest residents, and No. 12 for most annoying residents. 

Detroit is far from becoming America's favorite city, but it is making a comeback. The city has invested in new roads, parks, and downtown development, but few Americans have noticed. Its highest ranking among positive metrics is a measly No. 42 in the most underrated city category.  

Motor City also boasts a surprisingly good, but underappreciated, food scene. Although Americans consider it the No. 43 best food city, it is consistently one of the best places for pizza — even beating out pizza powerhouses New York and Chicago.

Best States in America, Ranked

		Positive Traits			Negative Traits
Overall Rank	State	Most Desirable Rank	Most Underrated Rank	Nicest Residents Rank	Least Desirable Rank	Craziest Residents Rank	Worst Scenery Rank	Rudest Residents Rank	Most Annoying Residents Rank	Most Pretentious Residents Rank
1	North Carolina	6	13	7	50	43	49	49	49	40
2	Montana	18	10	25	47	46	47	45	50	48
3	South Carolina	9	12	4	44	35	47	36	38	29
4	Maine	16	15	19	40	49	43	42	41	35
5	Hawaii	4	34	1	30	37	50	37	40	17
6	Tennessee	7	5	2	32	18	37	25	26	28
7	New Hampshire	31	33	31	49	50	45	35	45	32
8	Kentucky	25	26	17	26	23	40	30	31	33
9	Colorado	8	1	12	26	24	41	31	19	10
10	Missouri	43	50	44	45	45	35	44	48	46
11	Minnesota	43	45	38	34	39	41	47	44	44
12	Vermont	15	4	20	39	24	32	24	21	13
13	Georgia	13	18	8	22	15	37	22	24	24
14	North Dakota	45	32	48	22	40	28	48	45	49
15	Indiana	40	42	34	48	41	7	39	35	44
16	Iowa	48	35	32	36	47	1	45	41	47
17	Nebraska	50	48	49	43	48	15	50	47	50
18	Maryland	23	43	28	46	36	44	28	35	26
19	Idaho	38	20	46	30	34	14	39	38	38
20	Virginia	11	6	10	34	16	36	14	17	9
21	Ohio	29	30	29	32	28	13	29	30	42
22	New Mexico	34	26	36	18	30	22	31	33	37
23	South Dakota	42	23	45	20	37	30	33	35	36
24	Wyoming	19	3	21	14	26	17	25	22	21
25	Oregon	20	16	30	20	16	39	33	27	27
26	Kansas	49	48	38	38	42	1	39	41	43
27	Pennsylvania	14	21	22	37	20	25	11	14	25
28	Alaska	20	2	9	3	9	24	25	18	14
29	Oklahoma	46	40	43	26	28	10	37	34	39
30	Arizona	12	7	15	11	14	12	18	11	12
31	Rhode Island	36	24	38	24	43	25	21	28	15
32	Wisconsin	30	16	16	16	22	27	17	12	18
33	Delaware	33	18	33	25	32	11	15	19	19
34	Michigan	35	36	34	26	27	32	12	22	31
35	Connecticut	32	25	23	19	33	20	9	13	7
36	Louisiana	40	44	27	15	10	31	43	32	34
37	Nevada	22	39	50	41	21	18	18	25	29
38	West Virginia	17	8	14	12	8	23	13	10	10
39	Florida	1	31	5	6	3	32	5	5	4
40	Massachusetts	26	46	36	42	31	45	8	14	8
41	Texas	3	11	3	5	4	9	4	4	4
42	Utah	23	21	23	12	18	15	20	16	23
43	Washington	10	8	11	10	5	20	6	6	3
44	Mississippi	46	46	46	9	12	29	23	28	40
45	Alabama	28	28	13	4	6	4	10	7	16
46	Arkansas	39	14	26	7	13	3	15	8	22
47	California	2	29	6	1	1	19	3	2	1
48	Illinois	37	37	38	17	11	6	7	9	20
49	New York	5	37	18	2	2	8	1	1	2
50	New Jersey	27	40	42	8	7	5	2	3	6

Top 15 States to Live in the U.S.

California, New York, Florida, and Texas are the most-populous states in the U.S. But very few Americans think they're actually the best places to live. Americans gave these 15 states higher cumulative scores:

1. North Carolina
2. Montana
3. South Carolina
4. Maine
5. Hawaii
6. Tennessee
7. New Hampshire
8. Kentucky
9. Colorado
10. Missouri
11. Minnesota
12. Vermont
13. Georgia
14. North Dakota
15. Indiana

With Raleigh and Charlotte ranking among the top 15 U.S. cities, it's no surprise North Carolina is the best state in America, based on multiple quality metrics. 

Americans rated North Carolina well across the board, including No. 6 for overall desirability. With prestigious educational institutions, a strong economy, and a temperate climate, the Tar Heel State is certainly a great place to live, work, and visit.

From the Outer Banks in the east to the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains in the west, the state also has a vast array of landscapes that provide endless outdoor recreation opportunities. North Carolina ranks No. 49 out of 50 in the worst scenery category, highlighting how much Americans recognize and value the state's natural beauty.

North Carolina has a lot to offer, but it's the people that make the place. Few Americans are friendlier than those in North Carolina, with the state ranking No. 7 for nicest residents. North Carolina residents also stand out for what they're not. Out of all 50 states studied, North Carolina ranks No. 49 for rudest residents, No. 49 for most annoying residents, and No. 40 for most pretentious residents.

Bottom 10 States to Live in the U.S.

Every state has its strengths and weaknesses, but Americans think living in these 10 states would come with significantly more disadvantages — ranking them poorly across various metrics:

1. New Jersey
2. New York
3. Illinois
4. California
5. Arkansas
6. Alabama
7. Mississippi
8. Washington
9. Utah
10. Texas, Massachusetts*

*Indicates a tie

New Jersey is a state Americans have always loved to hate. Long before "Jersey Shore" cemented the state's negative perception in the minds of many Americans, it's said Ben Franklin uttered the first Jersey joke — calling it a "keg tapped at both ends." 

Two hundred years later, New Jersey has done little to improve its reputation. New Jersey has the worst cumulative score in our survey, with Americans ranking it the No. 8 least desirable state overall. 

Expensive property taxes, congested roadways, high crime, and terrible weather play a role in shaping these negative perceptions, but so do its residents. New Jersey ranks No. 2 for rudest residents, No. 3 for most annoying residents, No. 6 for most pretentious residents, and No. 7 for craziest residents. 

New Jersey also ranks a disappointing fifth in the worst scenery category. Despite its nickname as the Garden State, the predominant image of New Jersey is a gray industrial complex. However, the state is home to beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and charming small towns that aren't hard to find with a little effort.

Methodology

The proprietary data featured in this study comes from an online survey commissioned by Clever Real Estate. One thousand American adults were surveyed from June 14-16, 2024. Each respondent answered 25 questions related to where they live, which areas of the U.S. they prefer, and what they believe makes a city or state desirable.

About Clever

Since 2017, Clever Real Estate has been on a mission to make selling or buying a home easier and more affordable for everyone. 12 million annual readers rely on Clever's library of educational content and data-driven research to make smarter real estate decisions—and to date, Clever has helped consumers save more than $160 million on realtor fees. Clever's research has been featured in The New York Times, Business Insider, Inman, Housing Wire, and many more.

More Research From Clever

Articles You May Like

FAQs