The Most Livable City in Every State and What It Will Cost You


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filo / iStock.com

When we think about which city in the U.S. we’d like to live in, our minds may turn to what the city has to offer in terms of livability. Is there low crime? Does it have clean air? Is transportation safe and convenient? How are the schools? The list goes on.

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And then, of course, there are the financial issues. Is housing reasonably priced? What about all the other factors that go into cost of living, like healthcare, food and utilities? Livability comprises all the factors that determine whether you’re likely to have a prosperous life, both in terms of money and other meaningful matters.

For this study, GOBankingRates found the most livable city in each state and how much it costs to live there. To do this, GOBankingRates found the livability index for each city recording the city with the highest livability index. For each city, a number of factors were found including, the household median income, the average expenditure cost and the average monthly mortgage cost to determine the total monthly average cost of living in these most livable cities.

Cities are ranked from highest to lowest total cost of living monthly. Keep reading to find out the most livable city in your state.

Uladzik Kryhin / Shutterstock.comUladzik Kryhin / Shutterstock.com

Uladzik Kryhin / Shutterstock.com

Cupertino, California

  • Household median income: $223,667

  • Livability: 88  

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,412  

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $19,061

  • Total cost of living monthly: $21,472   

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Bruce Wilson Photography / Getty Images/iStockphotoBruce Wilson Photography / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Bruce Wilson Photography / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Lexington, Massachusetts

  • Household median income: $206,323

  • Livability: 92  

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,191   

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $9,998

  • Total cost of living monthly: $12,189

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©Shutterstock.com©Shutterstock.com

©Shutterstock.com

Kailua, Hawaii

  • Household median income: $138,363

  • Livability: 83

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,583   

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $9,243

  • Total cost of living monthly: $11,826

aceshot1 / Shutterstock.comaceshot1 / Shutterstock.com

aceshot1 / Shutterstock.com

Bozeman, Montana

  • Household median income: $74,113

  • Livability: 87

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,102   

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $5,008  

  • Total cost of living monthly: $7,109

felixmizioznikov / Getty Imagesfelixmizioznikov / Getty Images

felixmizioznikov / Getty Images

Wilton Manors, Florida

  • Household median income: $81,424

  • Livability: 91

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,210  

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $4,585

  • Total cost of living monthly: $6,794

©Lunnderboy©Lunnderboy

©Lunnderboy

Lafayette, Colorado

  • Household median income: $105,819

  • Livability: 90

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,946

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $4,434

  • Total cost of living monthly: $6,380

Check Out: The Minimum Salary You Need To Buy a Home in 2024 in All 50 States

Steven Frame / Shutterstock.comSteven Frame / Shutterstock.com

Steven Frame / Shutterstock.com

University Park, Maryland

  • Household median income: $191,205

  • Livability: 93

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,236

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $4,030

  • Total cost of living monthly: $6,266

M.O. Stevens / Wikimedia CommonsM.O. Stevens / Wikimedia Commons

M.O. Stevens / Wikimedia Commons

Sherwood, Oregon

  • Household median income: $109,770

  • Livability: 92

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,102

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,974

  • Total cost of living monthly: $6,076

©Shutterstock.com©Shutterstock.com

©Shutterstock.com

Freeport, Maine

  • Household median income: $76,012

  • Livability: 88

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,928

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,911

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,839

©Shutterstock.com©Shutterstock.com

©Shutterstock.com

Cary, North Carolina

  • Household median income: $125,317

  • Livability: 90

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,915

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,861

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,776

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Marilyn Nieves / Getty Images/iStockphotoMarilyn Nieves / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Marilyn Nieves / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Avondale Estates, Georgia

  • Household median income: $136,250

  • Livability: 87

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,212

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,562

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,773

Pictured: Decatur, Georgia

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raclro / Getty Images

Kaysville, Utah

  • Household median income: $121,867

  • Livability: 89

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,887

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,845

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,733

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Battle Ground, Washington

  • Household median income: $94,360

  • Livability: 90

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,085

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,582

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,667

Pictured: Vancouver, Washington

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphotoDenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Gilbert, Arizona

  • Household median income: $115,179

  • Livability: 89

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,076

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,513

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,589

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FierceAbin / iStock.comFierceAbin / iStock.com

FierceAbin / iStock.com

Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin

  • Household median income: $142,356

  • Livability: 93

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,973

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,577

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,549

Pictured: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Alex Potemkin / Getty ImagesAlex Potemkin / Getty Images

Alex Potemkin / Getty Images

Pompton Lakes, New Jersey

  • Household median income: $113,781

  • Livability: 92

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,244

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,013

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,258

Pictured: Patterson, New Jersey

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traveler1116 / iStock.com

Grandview Heights, Ohio

  • Household median income: $100,833

  • Livability: 94

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,902

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,334

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,236

Pictured: Columbus, Ohio

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphotoSean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

  • Household median income: $118,750

  • Livability: 94

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,115

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,083

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,197

Pictured: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Los Alamos, New Mexico

  • Household median income: $130,342

  • Livability: 81

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,706

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $3,479

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,184

Roman Sorokin / Shutterstock.comRoman Sorokin / Shutterstock.com

Roman Sorokin / Shutterstock.com

Sitka, Alaska

  • Household median income: $95,261

  • Livability: 85

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,188

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,946

  • Total cost of living monthly: $5,134

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphotoDenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Milford, Connecticut

  • Household median income: $70,625

  • Livability: 85

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,166

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,833

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,999

Pictured: Danbury, Connecticut

ArtbyAllyson / Getty Images/iStockphotoArtbyAllyson / Getty Images/iStockphoto

ArtbyAllyson / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Post Falls, Idaho

  • Household median income: $71,042

  • Livability: 88

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,850

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,993

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,843

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TW Farlow / Getty Images/iStockphotoTW Farlow / Getty Images/iStockphoto

TW Farlow / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Pittsford, New York

  • Household median income: $116,250

  • Livability: 93

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,033

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,795

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,828

lucky-photographer / Getty Imageslucky-photographer / Getty Images

lucky-photographer / Getty Images

Las Vegas

  • Household median income: $66,356

  • Livability: 82

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,165

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,653

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,819

ErikaMitchell / Getty Images/iStockphotoErikaMitchell / Getty Images/iStockphoto

ErikaMitchell / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Montpelier, Vermont

  • Household median income: $76,143

  • Livability: 83

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,085

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,609

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,694

Brynn Anderson/AP/Shutterstock / Brynn Anderson/AP/ShutterstockBrynn Anderson/AP/Shutterstock / Brynn Anderson/AP/Shutterstock

Brynn Anderson/AP/Shutterstock / Brynn Anderson/AP/Shutterstock

Hoover, Alabama

  • Household median income: $101,765

  • Livability: 83

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,051

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,600

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,652

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Cranston, Rhode Island

  • Household median income: $83,123

  • Livability: 85

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,076

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,528

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,603

Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.comJon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

Concord, New Hampshire

  • Household median income: $77,874

  • Livability: 88

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,866

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,642

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,508

PookieFugglestein / Wikimedia CommonsPookieFugglestein / Wikimedia Commons

PookieFugglestein / Wikimedia Commons

Newark, Delaware

  • Household median income: $67,738

  • Livability: 83

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,209

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,103

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,312

RiverNorthPhotography / Getty ImagesRiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images

RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images

Cheyenne, Wyoming

  • Household median income: $74,989

  • Livability: 83

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,034

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,196

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,230

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Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.comJacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com

Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com

Brandon, South Dakota

  • Household median income: $101,747

  • Livability: 87

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,881

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,272

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,152

Steven Wagner / Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA 2Steven Wagner / Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA 2

Steven Wagner / Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA 2

Denton, Texas

  • Household median income: $71,921

  • Livability: 85

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,940

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,207

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,147

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock.comSeanPavonePhoto / iStock.com

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock.com

Simpsonville, South Carolina

  • Household median income: $79,937

  • Livability: 86

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,891

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,197

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,088

Pictured: Greenville, South Carolina

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BergmannD / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Lawrence, Kansas

  • Household median income: $59,834

  • Livability: 88

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,158

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,867

  • Total cost of living monthly: $4,025

Check Out: 20 Best Cities Where You Can Buy a House for Under $100K

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James Kirkikis / Shutterstock.com

Oxford, Mississippi

  • Household median income: $56,784

  • Livability: 88

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,869

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,120

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,989

Stone s Throwe Photo / Shutterstock.comStone s Throwe Photo / Shutterstock.com

Stone s Throwe Photo / Shutterstock.com

Ankeny, Iowa

  • Household median income: $101,151

  • Livability: 92

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,896

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,079

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,975

Aeypix / Shutterstock.comAeypix / Shutterstock.com

Aeypix / Shutterstock.com

West Lafayette, Indiana

  • Household median income: $30,317

  • Livability: 90

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,793

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,143

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,936

Michael Warren / Getty Images/iStockphotoMichael Warren / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Michael Warren / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rogers, Arkansas

  • Household median income: $78,075

  • Livability: 88

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,825

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $2,083

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,908

Read More: 40 States Where You’ll Feel the Biggest Social Security Increase This Year

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Art Wager / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Metairie, Louisiana

  • Household median income: $72,070

  • Livability: 85

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $2,065

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,754

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,819

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphotoDenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rochester, Minnesota

  • Household median income: $83,973

  • Livability: 92

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,829

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,989

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,818

©Redfin©Redfin

©Redfin

Clarksville, Tennessee

  • Household median income: $62,688

  • Livability: 83

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,895

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,828

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,723

Yan Lu / Getty Images/iStockphotoYan Lu / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Yan Lu / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Bellevue, Washington

  • Household median income: $79,839

  • Livability: 87

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,995

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,715

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,710

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benkrut / iStock.com

Clawson, Michigan

  • Household median income: $82,713

  • Livability: 92

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,967

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,709

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,676

Guy RD / Shutterstock.comGuy RD / Shutterstock.com

Guy RD / Shutterstock.com

Fargo, North Dakota

  • Household median income: $64,432

  • Livability: 84

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,825

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,823

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,648

Gau Meo / Shutterstock.comGau Meo / Shutterstock.com

Gau Meo / Shutterstock.com

Norman, Oklahoma

  • Household median income: $62,849

  • Livability: 83

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,991

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,536

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,527

Art Wager / iStock.comArt Wager / iStock.com

Art Wager / iStock.com

Maplewood, Missouri

  • Household median income: $58,448

  • Livability: 87

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,899

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,566

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,465

Pictured: St. Louis, Missouri

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©Shutterstock.com

Lynchburg, Virginia

  • Household median income: $56,243

  • Livability: 91

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,856

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,516

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,371

Doug Lemke / Shutterstock.comDoug Lemke / Shutterstock.com

Doug Lemke / Shutterstock.com

Bellevue, Kentucky

  • Household median income: $66,741

  • Livability: 92

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,958

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $1,388

  • Total cost of living monthly: $3,346

DenisTangneyJr / Getty ImagesDenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Jerome, Illinois

  • Household median income: $52,083

  • Livability: 92

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,902

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $841

  • Total cost of living monthly: $2,743

Pictured: Springfield, Illinois

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphotoDenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Nutter Fort, West Virginia

  • Household median income: $56,125

  • Livability: 87

  • Expenditure monthly average cost: $1,929

  • Mortgage monthly average cost: $757

  • Total cost of living monthly: $2,685

Pictured: Fairmont, West Virginia

Methodology. For this study, GOBankingRates found the most livable city in each state and how much it costs to live there. First GOBankingRates found the livability index for each city recording the city with the highest livability index. For each city a number of factors were found including; total population, total households, household median income all sourced from the US Census American Community Survey, the average single family home value from May 2024 as sourced from Zillow Home Value Index, the cost of living indexes as sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces, and the livability index as sourced from AreaVibes. Using the cost of living indexes and the average expenditure costs as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for all residents, the average expenditure cost for each city can be calculated. Using the average home value, assuming a 10% downpayment, and by using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage cost can be calculated. Using the mortgage and expenditure cost, the total monthly average cost of living can be calculated. All data was collected on and is up to date as of July 8th, 2024.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Most Livable City in Every State and What It Will Cost You



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