Best Cities in United States to Live In 2026
5 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Los Angeles
62/100Seattle
61/100New York
58/100San Francisco
58/100Chicago
55/100Compare cities in United States
❓ Living in United States — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in United States?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Los Angeles ranks #1 in United States with a score of 62/100, and city-centre rent from around $2433/month.
What is the cheapest city in United States?▾
Chicago has the most affordable city-centre rent in our United States data, at around $2409/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
What is the safest city in United States?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, New York is the safest city in United States in our database, with a rate of 5.8 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Los Angeles or Seattle?▾
Los Angeles scores 62/100 on our Livability Score vs 61/100 for Seattle. Rent is $2433/mo in Los Angeles vs $2511/mo in Seattle. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in United States?▾
United States offers the US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process). Duration: Permanent residence. Key requirement: Employer sponsorship (EB-1 to EB-3) or investor visa (EB-5, $1M+). Wait times vary from 1 to 20+ years by nationality. Not a quick process.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.