The number of Americans who relocate each year has been trending downward for decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 28.2 million people moved to a new home in 2022, down from 41.1 million 20 years earlier. Of those who did move in 2022, the vast majority – an estimated 78% – stayed within the same state.
When Americans do decide to move, many do so to improve their standard of living. Climate, health considerations, taking or finding a new job, buying a better or more affordable home, and living in a safer neighborhood are all commonly cited reasons. But for those who are not prepared to move across the country, within every state, there are cities and towns that stand out for the higher overall quality of life they can offer.
Based on a weighted index of 22 key measures from government sources, related to community, the economy, and quality of life, Cheat Lake ranks as the best place to live in West Virginia.
Cheat Lake, home to about 10,190 people, has a median household income of $99,656 and a median home value of $305,000. According to the 2023 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 74.7% of the local population have easy access to places for exercise, like parks. Census data also shows that there are about 20.8 recreational and entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, museums, sports clubs, libraries, and restaurants for every 10,000 businesses in the area.
We considered all places in the U.S. with sufficient data and populations of at least 5,000. Our list includes cities, towns, villages, boroughs, and unincorporated communities. Click here to read our full methodology.
Best place to liveTotal populationMedian household income ($)Median home value ($)Population with access to exercise opportunities (%)Entertainment and recreation venues per 10,000 businessesAlabama: Mountain Brook22,180150,268697,80080.024.3Alaska: Juneau32,24090,126358,200100.027.1Arizona: Paradise Valley12,670203,6591,778,00092.725.6Arkansas: Fayetteville92,07052,111255,60082.416.9California: Orinda19,500248,9841,538,40098.227.0Colorado: Aspen7,02089,625N/A94.6N/AConnecticut: Old Greenwich6,930234,1521,444,80097.557.2Delaware: Hockessin13,460158,036460,80093.533.2Florida: Key Biscayne14,530167,9901,246,70098.518.1Georgia: Druid Hills8,610137,576698,00088.512.4Hawaii: Laie6,440101,011937,00097.333.4Idaho: Boise City231,54068,373322,30086.027.7Illinois: Glencoe8,820212,1321,101,20099.324.6Indiana: Carmel98,140119,772372,10089.825.4Iowa: Iowa City74,24051,925230,70089.623.4Kansas: Leawood33,750159,540498,90096.722.0Kentucky: Lexington-Fayette321,35061,526216,80099.220.1Louisiana: Oak Hills Place9,20090,347363,60096.915.9Maine: Portland68,06066,109341,70085.173.2Maryland: Chevy Chase9,890207,971999,20099.821.8Massachusetts: Wellesley29,370226,2501,251,80094.731.6Michigan: Ann Arbor122,73073,276366,60087.841.7Minnesota: North Oaks5,200220,861696,80099.838.9Mississippi: Madison27,460119,662282,60081.224.0Missouri: Fort Leonard Wood15,63061,913N/A66.1N/AMontana: Bozeman51,57067,354466,40083.232.4Nebraska: Chadron5,38050,363132,70089.6N/ANevada: Incline Village9,440131,9141,042,70088.314.8New Hampshire: Lebanon14,32080,619274,40084.9113.5New Jersey: Rumson7,290239,1881,309,20096.042.9New Mexico: Los Alamos13,270118,293342,00099.3N/ANew York: Rye16,460207,9301,529,40099.642.6North Carolina: Chapel Hill60,92077,037454,30083.315.0North Dakota: Grand Forks58,87053,611215,90088.036.9Ohio: The Village of Indian Hill6,020194,643918,80096.933.6Oklahoma: Oklahoma City673,18059,679168,90093.821.3Oregon: Portland647,18078,476462,80099.539.1Pennsylvania: Merion Station5,370233,340693,80096.438.7Rhode Island: Newport25,32077,092529,90092.9129.3South Carolina: Mount Pleasant88,900106,216499,60089.843.8South Dakota: Vermillion11,51047,920169,50085.5N/ATennessee: Brentwood44,350165,948711,90081.911.2Texas: University Park25,030247,0451,380,60096.720.4Utah: Summit Park8,410156,200814,90095.122.2Vermont: Middlebury7,19065,050332,20064.026.2Virginia: McLean49,310242,6101,102,10099.714.8Washington: Mercer Island25,510170,0001,504,50098.030.4West Virginia: Cheat Lake10,19099,656305,00074.720.8Wisconsin: Mequon24,810135,425402,90097.364.2Wyoming: Jackson10,73083,289836,30097.751.2
