7 communities with the highest quality of life in America

A lot of communities boast about being a great place to live. But which ones have the best cases?

U.S. News and World Report attempted to find out. It analyzed 859 cities and towns to find the best places to live in 2025 and 2026, using data from Applied Geographic Solutions and its own internal sources. It considered everything from the quality of schools, air, and local infrastructure to how affordable a place is. It factored in crime rates, the local economy, and even the weather.

Continue reading to see which communities have the best quality of life.

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Just outside Boston and home to Harvard University, Cambridge is one of several small cities in Massachusetts to make the list.

Population: 128,286

Average Commute: 24 minutes

Median Home Value: $1,014,299

Median Monthly Rent: $2,553

Median Household Income: $133,847

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Part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle and home to UNC's flagship campus, Chapel Hill ranked sixth, with strong education and lots of jobs.

Population: 64,796

Average Commute: 18 minutes

Median Home Value: $595,286

Median Monthly Rent: $1,319

Median Household Income: $94,827

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Located about seven miles north of downtown Boston, Malden has many of the benefits of the other entries in Massachusetts but at a more affordable price point.

Population: 68,602

Average Commute: 32 minutes

Median Home Value: $630,396

Median Monthly Rent: $1,950

Median Household Income: $102,117

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Just east of Seattle and situated on Lake Washington, Bellevue has strong job prospects and great access to nature.

Population: 153,923

Average Commute: 20 minutes

Median Home Value: $1,300,701

Median Monthly Rent: $2,275

Median Household Income: $169,156

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Just outside Washington, D.C., Bethesda holds its own as a city and has some of the region’s top public schools.

Population: 153,923

Average Commute: 20 minutes

Median Home Value: $1,300,701

Median Monthly Rent: $2,275

Median Household Income: $169,156

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About 10 miles west of Boston, Newton has a small-town feel despite its size, top public schools, and an easy commute into Boston via the MBTA system.

Population: 90,848

Average Commute: 25 minutes

Median Home Value: $1,268,950

Median Monthly Rent: $2,221

Median Household Income: $197,977

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Brookline, another Boston suburb, took the top spot. The town is known for great schools, leafy streets, walkability, and proximity to the city center.

Population: 64,446

Average Commute: 29 minutes

Median Home Value: $1,314,003

Median Monthly Rent: $2,577

Median Household Income: $151,695