The best cities to live in in the U.S. are often close to a major metropolitan area, according to an analysis from 24/7 Wall St., which runs a financial news and opinion company.
To determine each state's best city to live in, researchers created a weighted index of 26 measures from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI and other sources. The measures fell into one of four categories: affordability, economy, quality of life and community.
For the analysis, 24/7 Wall St. considered boroughs, Censusdesignated places, cities, towns and villages with at least 8,000 people.
The best city to live in in each state, based on the analysis:
1. Valley, Ala.
2. Ketchikan, Alaska
3. Paradise Valley, Ariz.
4. Batesville, Ark.
5. Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.
6. Frederick, Colo.
7. Darien, Conn.
8. Middletown, Del.
9. Pinecrest, Fla.
10. Milton, Ga.
11. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii
12. Hailey, Idaho
13. Winnetka, Ill.
14. Jasper, Ind.
15. Le Mars, Iowa
16. McPherson, Kan.
17. Edgewood, Ky.
18. Youngsville, La.
19. Bath, Maine
20. Bowie, Md.
21. Winchester, Mass.
22. East Grand Rapids, Mich.
23. New Ulm, Minn.
24. Madison, Miss.
25. Ladue, Mo.
26. Miles City, Mont.
27. Norfolk, Neb.
28. Elko, Nev.
29. Hanover, N.H.
30. Haddonfield, N.J.
31. Los Alamos, N.M.
32. Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.
33. Morrisville, N.C.
34. Mandan, N.D.
35. New Albany, Ohio
36. Newcastle, Okla.
37. Sherwood, Ore.
38. Franklin Park, Pa.
39. Newport, R.I.
40. Tega Cay, S.C.
41. Pierre, S.D.
42. Atoka, Tenn.
43. West University Place, Texas
44. Woods Cross, Utah
45. South Burlington, Vt.
46. Waynesboro, Va.
47. Snoqualmie, Wash.
48. Bridgeport, W. Va.
49. Whitefish Bay, Wis.
50. Jackson, Wyo.
Read more about the methodology for the analysis here.
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