“What are the best places to live in 2025?” Well, it’s a little more complicated than you might think.

Moving to a new city can be both exciting and intimidating. Whether for a new job, a fresh start in life, or to get closer to family, over 25 million Americans moved last year. Although the number is technically on the lower side, that’s still quite a lot of U-Hauls if you ask us.

So, do you find yourself on the move? Are you asking yourself, “What are the best places to live in the U.S.?” In this blog, we’ll break down some of the best and worst places to live in 2025 based on factors such as age, income, and more.

The Fastest Growing States in the U.S.

Before we break down the best cities to move to in 2025, let’s quickly look at the states that saw the most amount of Americans relocate to last year when they asked themselves, “What are the best places to live in 2025?” This list is according to the Tax Foundation.

1. South Carolina: If a relaxing lifestyle sounds like where you should live, South Carolina may be the answer.
2. Idaho: “What are the best places to live in the U.S.?” For many who chose mountains, Idaho came calling.
3. Delaware: If you prioritize lower taxes, this may be the place for you.
4. North Carolina: Hiking through life? North Carolina may be one of the best places to live in 2025.
5. Tennessee: It has Nashville, mountains, and plenty of countryside, making it a popular destination.
6. Nevada: Looking for fun nightlife? Nevada is ringing your doorbell.
7. Alabama: If you’re a college football fan, Alabama is chanting your name.
8. Montana: This Big Sky Country is perfect for those wanting a quiet life with beautiful views.
9. Arizona: On the flip side, if you like the sunny desert, Arizona is one of the best places to be.
10. Arkansas: Known for its unique attractions like Hot Springs National Park and the Crater of Diamonds State Park, you'll never run out of things to explore here.

The Best (and Worst) Cities to Live in the U.S. for Young Professionals

Alright, we know the states. Let’s get down to the business of cities. If you’re a young professional wondering what are the best and worst cities to move to in 2025, here are the five best and five worst ones to choose. The rankings are based on factors such as level of crime, job opportunities, and livability.

The 5 Worst

Why don’t we get the worst cities out of the way first? We’ll save the best cities to live in the U.S. for last.

1. New York City, New York: The city sits dead last among the best cities to live in the U.S. for young professionals—sounds enticing doesn’t it?
2. Bridgeport, Connecticut: With increasing home prices and bad traffic conditions, good luck trying to commute to a job that doesn’t pay enough for your home!
3. Pembroke Pines, Florida: This city not only lacks job opportunities, but many residents also describe it as a dull and unexciting place to live.
4. Santa Clarita, California: California dreaming? Maybe think twice before moving to this city with low entry-level job opportunities.
5. Yonkers, New York: High housing costs and low entry-level job opportunities make this city unsuitable for young professionals.

The Five Best

Enough of the worst. What are the best cities for young professionals to move to in the U.S.?

1. Atlanta, Georgia: This city is considered one of the best places to start a career.
2. Orlando, Florida: Close to Disney World and plenty of job opportunities. Sounds like home to us!
3. Salt Lake City, Utah: Beautiful nature at your backdoor and a low cost of living make this city ample with opportunities.
4. Austin, Texas: This city has a great nightlife and culinary scene with most young professionals renting their places. Even better news? You can afford to OWN yours by using NHC to discover our homes near Austin.
5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: This up-and-coming tech hub has median home prices and monthly rent prices that are relatively lower than other cities in the U.S.

The Best (and Worst) Cities for Families to Live in the U.S.

If you’re wondering what are the best places to live in 2025 with your family, you’ll find great and not-so-great options from coast to coast. Shall we start with the five worst again?

The Five Worst

These may not be the best options for your family if you’re looking for the best places to live in 2025.

1. Memphis, Tennessee: The city sits at the top of the most dangerous cities leaderboard.
2. St. Louis, Missouri: This city has one of the highest crime rates and murder rates in the U.S.—coupled with low air quality and urban decay.
3. Detroit, Michigan: Another city with a high crime rate, specifically property crimes like burglary and vandalism.
4. Birmingham, Alabama: Welcome to Birmingham, where the public transportation system is so advanced, it exists almost entirely in theory.
5. Little Rock, Arkansas: Love doing new things? You won’t find it in this capital city where there are limited entertainment options.

The Five Best

From great public education systems to high quality of life, these cities are some of the best for those wondering what the best cities to move to in 2025 are.

1. Scottsdale, Arizona: Scottsdale boasts a luxurious lifestyle and excellent education. That’s why This Old House put it at the top of their list.
2. Plano, Texas: This northern Texas city features a healthy job market and affordable housing communities in its parameters. At NHC, we offer homes close to the Plano area for MUCH LESS than the average sale price.
3. Raliegh, North Carolina: This family-friendly city features beautiful mountain ranges and a strong economy. NHC offers homes near Raleigh at an affordable price AND large square footage.
4. Boise, Idaho: Not only is it a safe city to raise children, but you also get a child tax credit of $250 to live here.
5. Kansas City, Missouri: With its great school system and growing culinary and arts scene, Kansas City is a great city for families. We offer homes IN Kansas City that you can not only afford but have a bigger space to live in.

How to Find Affordable Homes Across the U.S.

If you and your family are on the move, finding a home may seem daunting at first. We’re here to change that. At the end of the day, nobody wants to overpay for a small home, right? That’s why National Home Corp offers spacious, newly-built homes in states like Texas, and North Carolina. If you’re asking yourself what are the best places to live in 2025, check out our communities or available homes in cities such as San Antonio, Fort Worth, and even Raleigh.

FAQs

What are the top 10 cities in the U.S. to live in?
The best places to live in the U.S. are:

1. Naples, FL
2. Boise, ID
3. Colorado Springs, CO
4. Greenville, SC
5. Charlotte, NC
6. Raleigh, NC
7. Huntsville, AL
8. Virginia Beach, VA
9. Austin, TX
10. Boulder, CO

What is the safest place to live in the USA?
Currently, the title belongs to South Burlington, Vermont. This city has great road safety and a high number of EMTs and paramedics per capita.

What are the best places to live in the U.S. for the cost of living?
Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, South Dakota, and Iowa come out as the top 5 places to live with a low cost of living in the U.S.