What is the Best City in the United States?

Are you looking for a great place to move? Or perhaps just interested in the benefits of the area you are already living in? It seems that many Americans are looking for a life away from the big city with wider open spaces and less stress. The following guide to American cities offers information on which city you may want to investigate moving to.

According to a recent study posted on cnn.com, there were ten fabulous cities on the top ten list. I will elaborate on each of those cities as well as list some other cities that meet the mark when it comes to great places to live.

The number one city listed was Fort Collins, Colorado. Fort Collins is a great place to earn a good income with an average of 64,600 a year per family. Sales tax is 6.7% which is slightly above average, however the income tax rate is lower than average at 4.6%. Job growth in Fort Collins is currently at 6.13% and the median home price is approximately $212,000. This price is lower than the average, however, price gain is only 2.7%.

Education available in Fort Collins includes 2 Universities, 2 Junior Colleges, and 94% of students attending public/private schools. Quality of life is also pretty well rated in Fort Collins. Air quality is at 90.4% and personal crime risk is 23 percent less than the nation's average. Personal crime incidents are 282 per 100,000 incidents and property crime is 3684 for every 100,000. Also, Fort Collins is well known for its ski resorts, there are 13 within 100 miles. The weather is also very nice with summer highs reaching 86 F and winter lows reaching 15 F. Fort Collins residents are also pretty healthy with an average of 25 BMI and only 148 per 100,000 with Cardiac Mortality. The majority of the citizens are in their twenties and thirties and 78% have completed at least some college.

Another great city to live in in America is Naperville, IL. This city has a population of 141,600 and is located just south of Interstate 88. This city, located just a few hours west of Chicago has a median family income of $112,258 per year. Sales tax is 6.75% and income tax is at 3%. Job growth is currently 12.14%. The Median home price is $329,000 with 11.5% price gain. Education in Naperville contains 10 colleges and Universities and 94.5% of the students attend public/private schools. Air quality rests at 58% and personal crime risk is extremely low sitting 86% below the national average. Personal crime incidents are also extremely low with 0 per 100,000 incidents. Naperville also has 43 libraries, 191 golf courses, 3,624 restaurants, 15 museums and 13 ski resorts.

The weather is also fair in Naperville with 87 F as a high in July and lows reaching 14 F in January. It is also a fairly healthy city with an average BMI of 26. The majority of the population is in their thirties and 65% are married with a divorce rate of only 6%.
Another great city to live in is Sugar Land Texas. This city ranked number 3 on the list for a variety of reasons. This city has a population of 75,800 people and the median income is $101,168 per family. Sales tax is slightly above average with 8.25%, however job growth is quite high at 30.5%. Home prices fall at around $214,000 dollars with a price gain of 9.5%. Sugar Land has 6 Universities and 86% attend public/private schools. Personal crime rates are about 215 per 100,000 and property crime is at 2,378 per 100,000. Sugar Land is also home to 51 golf courses and 27 libraries, as well as 5 museums. The weather is very nice in this city with highs of 94 in July and lows of 42 in January. Sugar Land citizens are also fairly healthy with a BMI averaging at 25. The majority of the population is in their later thirties with 66% married and a divorce rate of 6.5%.

The fourth greatest city to live in is Columbia, Maryland. This city has a population of 159,200 people and the median family income is $96,082. Sales tax is only 5% and housing is typically $329,000 with a 21% home price gain. Columbia has 12 colleges and Universities, with 94% of students attending private and public schools. Personal crime risk is extremely low with 37 per 100,000 incidents. Columbia has 25 movie theatres, 78 golf courses, 55 libraries, 30 museums, and 7 ski resorts. The weather is also very nice in this city with July highs reaching 87F and January lows reaching 22 F.

The fifth greatest city to live in is Cary, North Carolina. With a population of 106,400 and a median family income of 98,360, this city is a great place to live. Income tax is set at 7% and the average home will cost $256, 900 with a price gain of 4.8%. Education includes 6 colleges and universities with 91% of students attending public/private schools. Personal crime incidents are fairly low with 93 per 100,000 incidents. Cary also has 11 movie theaters, 43 golf courses, 27 libraries, 5 museums, and the weather ranges from 30F to 88F.

Some other great cities include Overland Park, KS, Scottsdale, AZ, Boise, ID, Fairfield, CT, and Eden Prairie, MN.