Don’t Overlook These Hidden Gem Cities With a High Quality of Life
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Homebuyers often have their sights set on living and investing in large metropolitan areas boasting a ton of amenities. But today, with still-high housing prices — and with 30-year fixed mortgage rates still over 6% — bigger cities might be out of the reach of some. And it begs the question: Is life in the big city still worth the exorbitant cost for the average homebuyer?
Smaller cities can offer the same amenities as larger metropolises, sometimes at a lower cost of living and a better quality of life. There are plenty of underrated and charming towns that homebuyers might be missing out on. Some could be a financial stretch, but others are below May’s average U.S. home value of $339,048, as reported by Zillow.
To find these “hidden gems” in every state, GOBankingRates analyzed cities with a population between 10,000 and 75,000, according to data sourced from AreaVibes and have information on the average 2023 single-family home value in their area available from Zillow. If there were too few cities within the state that met this criterion, the population requirement was relaxed to include cities with a population of over 5,000. States for which the population requirement was relaxed: Alaska and Vermont. The study also looked at the median list price of homes within the area. States are listed in alphabetical order, with the five hidden gem cities in each state ranked in order of highest livability score.
If you’re tired of dealing with high prices, traffic and crowds in the city, it’s worth looking elsewhere for affordable cities you’ll love to live in. Check out these cities that offer a high quality of life.
Alabama
- Madison
- 2023 average home value: $361,353
- Livability score: 89
- Vestavia Hills
- 2023 average home value: $520,147
- Livability score: 87
- Daphne
- 2023 average home value: $313,390
- Livability score: 84
- Mountain Brook
- 2023 average home value: $877,425
- Livability score: 83
- Chelsea
- 2023 average home value: $363,888
- Livability score: 82
Alaska
- Kodiak
- 2023 average home value: $421,486
- Livability score: 72
- Sitka
- 2023 average home value: $483,718
- Livability score: 71
- Juneau
- 2023 average home value: $491,733
- Livability score: 66
- Palmer
- 2023 average home value: $360,967
- Livability score: 65
- Homer
- 2023 average home value: $373,701
- Livability score: 64
Arizona
- Goodyear
- 2023 average home value: $468,653
- Livability score: 83
- Oro Valley
- 2023 average home value: $497,577
- Livability score: 83
- Queen Creek
- 2023 average home value: $605,403
- Livability score: 82
- Maricopa
- 2023 average home value: $363,036
- Livability score: 82
- Anthem
- 2023 average home value: $545,992
- Livability score: 82
Arkansas
- Bentonville
- 2023 average home value: $420,119
- Livability score: 92
- Bella Vista
- 2023 average home value: $315,140
- Livability score: 82
- Centerton
- 2023 average home value: $312,415
- Livability score: 81
- Rogers
- 2023 average home value: $318,547
- Livability score: 81
- Maumelle
- 2023 average home value: $288,960
- Livability score: 80
California
- Lafayette
- 2023 average home value: $1,958,337
- Livability score: 86
- Los Gatos
- 2023 average home value: $2,659,493
- Livability score: 86
- Sierra Madre
- 2023 average home value: $1,359,157
- Livability score: 86
- Los Altos
- 2023 average home value: $4,060,609
- Livability score: 86
- Danville
- 2023 average home value: $1,873,184
- Livability score: 85
Colorado
- Parker
- 2023 average home value: $702,818
- Livability score: 88
- Superior
- 2023 average home value: $877,975
- Livability score: 87
- Erie
- 2023 average home value: $751,679
- Livability score: 85
- Firestone
- 2023 average home value: $574,915
- Livability score: 84
- Lafayette
- 2023 average home value: $739,317
- Livability score: 83
Connecticut
- Middletown
- 2023 average home value: $310,097
- Livability score: 83
- Newington
- 2023 average home value: $308,646
- Livability score: 83
- West Hartford
- 2023 average home value: $412,860
- Livability score: 82
- Greenwich
- 2023 average home value: $2,106,551
- Livability score: 82
- Westport
- 2023 average home value: $1,612,527
- Livability score: 81
Delaware
- Hockessin
- 2023 average home value: $555,533
- Livability score: 83
- Middletown
- 2023 average home value: $490,938
- Livability score: 74
- Newark
- 2023 average home value: $332,332
- Livability score: 71
- Bear
- 2023 average home value: $384,619
- Livability score: 71
- Smyrna
- 2023 average home value: $369,594
- Livability score: 70
Florida
- Oldsmar
- 2023 average home value: $449,813
- Livability score: 92
- Westchase
- 2023 average home value: $577,959
- Livability score: 91
- Fleming Island
- 2023 average home value: $447,905
- Livability score: 91
- North Palm Beach
- 2023 average home value: $878,278
- Livability score: 89
- Destin
- 2023 average home value: $660,734
- Livability score: 89
Georgia
- Vinings
- 2023 average home value: $692,503
- Livability score: 91
- Woodstock
- 2023 average home value: $420,036
- Livability score: 90
- Duluth
- 2023 average home value: $416,441
- Livability score: 90
- Suwanee
- 2023 average home value: $556,319
- Livability score: 90
- Kennesaw
- 2023 average home value: $397,777
- Livability score: 89
Hawaii
- Kailua
- 2023 average home value: $1,538,080
- Livability score: 77
- Pearl City
- 2023 average home value: $972,839
- Livability score: 70
- Kaneohe
- 2023 average home value: $1,142,807
- Livability score: 70
- Wailuku
- 2023 average home value: $914,626
- Livability score: 70
- Kapolei
- 2023 average home value: $907,684
- Livability score: 68
Idaho
- Ammon
- 2023 average home value: $401,002
- Livability score: 87
- Eagle
- 2023 average home value: $799,972
- Livability score: 86
- Chubbuck
- 2023 average home value: $359,158
- Livability score: 85
- Post Falls
- 2023 average home value: $494,149
- Livability score: 81
- Moscow
- 2023 average home value: $436,885
- Livability score: 81
Illinois
- Grayslake
- 2023 average home value: $303,515
- Livability score: 89
- Columbia
- 2023 average home value: $284,595
- Livability score: 88
- Lake in the Hills
- 2023 average home value: $311,306
- Livability score: 87
- Algonquin
- 2023 average home value: $340,085
- Livability score: 87
- Roscoe
- 2023 average home value: $253,107
- Livability score: 86
Indiana
- Brownsburg
- 2023 average home value: $331,130
- Livability score: 89
- Zionsville
- 2023 average home value: $565,672
- Livability score: 88
- Munster
- 2023 average home value: $340,676
- Livability score: 88
- Plainfield
- 2023 average home value: $308,405
- Livability score: 87
- Dyer
- 2023 average home value: $331,493
- Livability score: 87
Iowa
- Ankeny
- 2023 average home value: $333,297
- Livability score: 97
- Urbandale
- 2023 average home value: $333,983
- Livability score: 96
- Waukee
- 2023 average home value: $355,478
- Livability score: 93
- Pella
- 2023 average home value: $300,462
- Livability score: 91
- Clive
- 2023 average home value: $404,688
- Livability score: 91
Kansas
- Prairie Village
- 2023 average home value: $407,141
- Livability score: 94
- Lenexa
- 2023 average home value: $414,722
- Livability score: 85
- Leawood
- 2023 average home value: $665,125
- Livability score: 81
- Shawnee
- 2023 average home value: $369,941
- Livability score: 80
- Hays
- 2023 average home value: $223,307
- Livability score: 79
Kentucky
- Fort Thomas
- 2023 average home value: $309,865
- Livability score: 95
- Mount Washington
- 2023 average home value: $288,143
- Livability score: 87
- Berea
- 2023 average home value: $192,475
- Livability score: 80
- Burlington
- 2023 average home value: $295,272
- Livability score: 79
- Danville
- 2023 average home value: $213,049
- Livability score: 79
Louisiana
- Mandeville
- 2023 average home value: $353,849
- Livability score: 89
- River Ridge
- 2023 average home value: $301,125
- Livability score: 86
- Youngsville
- 2023 average home value: $262,440
- Livability score: 85
- Broussard
- 2023 average home value: $263,155
- Livability score: 83
- Prairieville
- 2023 average home value: $301,365
- Livability score: 80
Maine
- Brunswick
- 2023 average home value: $450,602
- Livability score: 82
- Saco
- 2023 average home value: $456,393
- Livability score: 79
- South Portland
- 2023 average home value: $465,987
- Livability score: 79
- Portland
- 2023 average home value: $493,751
- Livability score: 74
- Auburn
- 2023 average home value: $269,099
- Livability score: 72
Maryland
- North Potomac
- 2023 average home value: $825,399
- Livability score: 81
- Bethesda
- 2023 average home value: $1,219,461
- Livability score: 81
- North Bethesda
- 2023 average home value: $801,190
- Livability score: 79
- Bel Air
- 2023 average home value: $435,398
- Livability score: 79
- Perry Hall
- 2023 average home value: $424,893
- Livability score: 78
Massachusetts
- Belmont
- 2023 average home value: $1,457,566
- Livability score: 89
- Winchester
- 2023 average home value: $1,462,186
- Livability score: 87
- Arlington
- 2023 average home value: $1,006,381
- Livability score: 87
- Lexington
- 2023 average home value: $1,397,314
- Livability score: 86
- Brookline
- 2023 average home value: $2,107,694
- Livability score: 86
Michigan
- Berkley
- 2023 average home value: $284,807
- Livability score: 95
- Novi
- 2023 average home value: $486,899
- Livability score: 94
- Grosse Pointe Park
- 2023 average home value: $451,589
- Livability score: 94
- East Grand Rapids
- 2023 average home value: $572,267
- Livability score: 94
- Farmington
- 2023 average home value: $304,439
- Livability score: 94
Minnesota
- Champlin
- 2023 average home value: $354,481
- Livability score: 92
- North Mankato
- 2023 average home value: $278,836
- Livability score: 91
- Stillwater
- 2023 average home value: $416,482
- Livability score: 89
- Elk River
- 2023 average home value: $369,783
- Livability score: 88
- Chaska
- 2023 average home value: $441,459
- Livability score: 87
Mississippi
- Brandon
- 2023 average home value: $262,988
- Livability score: 86
- Petal
- 2023 average home value: $198,949
- Livability score: 86
- Madison
- 2023 average home value: $365,096
- Livability score: 84
- Clinton
- 2023 average home value: $217,878
- Livability score: 84
- Ocean Springs
- 2023 average home value: $243,111
- Livability score: 83
Missouri
- Webster Groves
- 2023 average home value: $374,937
- Livability score: 93
- Ballwin
- 2023 average home value: $382,541
- Livability score: 93
- Eureka
- 2023 average home value: $364,361
- Livability score: 90
- Kirkwood
- 2023 average home value: $428,982
- Livability score: 90
- Clayton
- 2023 average home value: $949
Montana
- Bozeman
- 2023 average home value: $697,609
- Livability score: 83
- Missoula
- 2023 average home value: $515,288
- Livability score: 67
- Kalispell
- 2023 average home value: $508,811
- Livability score: 66
- Great Falls
- 2023 average home value: $286,428
- Livability score: 64
- Helena
- 2023 average home value: $430,566
- Livability score: 63
Nebraska
- Papillion
- 2023 average home value: $371,030
- Livability score: 93
- Norfolk
- 2023 average home value: $217,037
- Livability score: 88
- La Vista
- 2023 average home value: $281,286
- Livability score: 86
- Hastings
- 2023 average home value: $173,245
- Livability score: 85
- Columbus
- 2023 average home value: $238,655
- Livability score: 85
Nevada
- Henderson
- 2023 average home value: $476,749
- Livability score: 84
- Boulder City
- 2023 average home value: $452,400
- Livability score: 81
- Mesquite
- 2023 average home value: $394,225
- Livability score: 75
- Carson City
- 2023 average home value: $451,893
- Livability score: 71
- Elko
- 2023 average home value: $315,522
- Livability score: 65
New Hampshire
- Portsmouth
- 2023 average home value: $702,739
- Livability score: 88
- Dover
- 2023 average home value: $465,545
- Livability score: 85
- Derry
- 2023 average home value: $470,382
- Livability score: 82
- Concord
- 2023 average home value: $390,445
- Livability score: 82
- Durham
- 2023 average home value: $582,653
- Livability score: 81
New Jersey
- Pompton Lakes
- 2023 average home value: $418,043
- Livability score: 88
- Summit
- 2023 average home value: $1,068,567
- Livability score: 86
- Hoboken
- 2023 average home value: $1,470,891
- Livability score: 85
- New Providence
- 2023 average home value: $739,342
- Livability score: 85
- Princeton
- 2023 average home value: $820,727
- Livability score: 85
New Mexico
- Los Alamos
- 2023 average home value: $501,458
- Livability score: 82
- Lovington
- 2023 average home value: $132,803
- Livability score: 74
- Alamogordo
- 2023 average home value: $195,308
- Livability score: 72
- Artesia
- 2023 average home value: $200,120
- Livability score: 68
- Carlsbad
- 2023 average home value: $196,727
- Livability score: 67
New York
- North Tonawanda
- 2023 average home value: $229,331
- Livability score: 87
- Depew
- 2023 average home value: $220,433
- Livability score: 85
- Garden City
- 2023 average home value: $1,024,602
- Livability score: 84
- Saratoga Springs
- 2023 average home value: $502,828
- Livability score: 84
- Dobbs Ferry
- 2023 average home value: $841,133
- Livability score: 83
North Carolina
- Apex
- 2023 average home value: $565,717
- Livability score: 90
- Cornelius
- 2023 average home value: $522,519
- Livability score: 89
- Holly Springs
- 2023 average home value: $532,324
- Livability score: 89
- Wake Forest
- 2023 average home value: $501,514
- Livability score: 88
- Morrisville
- 2023 average home value: $484,120
- Livability score: 88
North Dakota
- West Fargo
- 2023 average home value: $310,683
- Livability score: 91
- Jamestown
- 2023 average home value: $179,801
- Livability score: 85
- Dickinson
- 2023 average home value: $278,183
- Livability score: 80
- Bismarck
- 2023 average home value: $349,670
- Livability score: 78
- Mandan
- 2023 average home value: $299,772
- Livability score: 74
Ohio
- Worthington
- 2023 average home value: $450,828
- Livability score: 97
- Westerville
- 2023 average home value: $428,384
- Livability score: 95
- Hilliard
- 2023 average home value: $375,506
- Livability score: 95
- Shaker Heights
- 2023 average home value: $310,706
- Livability score: 95
- Mason
- 2023 average home value: $468,089
- Livability score: 92
Oklahoma
- Bixby
- 2023 average home value: $303,920
- Livability score: 84
- Yukon
- 2023 average home value: $249,851
- Livability score: 80
- Jenks
- 2023 average home value: $316,027
- Livability score: 80
- Weatherford
- 2023 average home value: $196,569
- Livability score: 80
- Owasso
- 2023 average home value: $287,516
- Livability score: 80
Oregon
- West Linn
- 2023 average home value: $768,910
- Livability score: 86
- Sherwood
- 2023 average home value: $640,966
- Livability score: 85
- Lake Oswego
- 2023 average home value: $944,827
- Livability score: 84
- Wilsonville
- 2023 average home value: $650,472
- Livability score: 80
- La Grande
- 2023 average home value: $264,752
- Livability score: 79
Pennsylvania
- Bethel Park
- 2023 average home value: $276,119
- Livability score: 94
- Hershey
- 2023 average home value: $352,460
- Livability score: 88
- Murrysville
- 2023 average home value: $308,405
- Livability score: 88
- Ardmore
- 2023 average home value: $442,367
- Livability score: 87
- Lower Burrell
- 2023 average home value: $165,142
- Livability score: 85
Rhode Island
- East Providence
- 2023 average home value: $359,026
- Livability score: 75
- Westerly
- 2023 average home value: $523,322
- Livability score: 71
- Newport
- 2023 average home value: $841,148
- Livability score: 69
- Pawtucket
- 2023 average home value: $331,061
- Livability score: 64
- Woonsocket
- 2023 average home value: $325,491
- Livability score: 59
South Carolina
- Mauldin
- 2023 average home value: $279,934
- Livability score: 86
- Fort Mill
- 2023 average home value: $486,688
- Livability score: 85
- Lexington
- 2023 average home value: $284,386
- Livability score: 83
- Clemson
- 2023 average home value: $362,377
- Livability score: 83
- Bluffton
- 2023 average home value: $469,236
- Livability score: 82
South Dakota
- Brookings
- 2023 average home value: $274,180
- Livability score: 84
- Watertown
- 2023 average home value: $256,601
- Livability score: 83
- Huron
- 2023 average home value: $176,154
- Livability score: 82
- Vermillion
- 2023 average home value: $231,994
- Livability score: 80
- Aberdeen
- 2023 average home value: $212,594
- Livability score: 78
Tennessee
- Collierville
- 2023 average home value: $485,892
- Livability score: 88
- Franklin
- 2023 average home value: $836,841
- Livability score: 87
- Hendersonville
- 2023 average home value: $477,006
- Livability score: 86
- Spring Hill
- 2023 average home value: $500,608
- Livability score: 86
- Brentwood
- 2023 average home value: $1,197,165
- Livability score: 86
Texas
- Cinco Ranch
- 2023 average home value: $505,073
- Livability score: 93
- Trophy Club
- 2023 average home value: $660,927
- Livability score: 93
- Keller
- 2023 average home value: $614,172
- Livability score: 93
- Live Oak
- 2023 average home value: $259,166
- Livability score: 92
- Coppell
- 2023 average home value: $599,369
- Livability score: 91
Utah
- South Ogden
- 2023 average home value: $415,796
- Livability score: 87
- Kaysville
- 2023 average home value: $613,924
- Livability score: 84
- North Ogden
- 2023 average home value: $483,985
- Livability score: 84
- Centerville
- 2023 average home value: $562,616
- Livability score: 83
- Bountiful
- 2023 average home value: $553,696
- Livability score: 83
Vermont
- Middlebury
- 2023 average home value: $378,626
- Livability score: 79
- South Burlington
- 2023 average home value: $519,325
- Livability score: 75
- Montpelier
- 2023 average home value: $379,189
- Livability score: 72
- Bennington
- 2023 average home value: $207,462
- Livability score: 70
- Burlington
- 2023 average home value: $507,690
- Livability score: 69
Virginia
- Bon Air
- 2023 average home value: $361,671
- Livability score: 86
- McLean
- 2023 average home value: $1,413,365
- Livability score: 85
- Reston
- 2023 average home value: $671,115
- Livability score: 83
- Manassas Park
- 2023 average home value: $419,655
- Livability score: 83
- Tuckahoe
- 2023 average home value: $381,213
- Livability score: 83
Washington
- Bainbridge Island
- 2023 average home value: $1,236,063
- Livability score: 87
- Mercer Island
- 2023 average home value: $2,238,287
- Livability score: 85
- Sammamish
- 2023 average home value: $1,504,412
- Livability score: 85
- Redmond
- 2023 average home value: $1,363,189
- Livability score: 85
- Mill Creek
- 2023 average home value: $949,494
- Livability score: 84
West Virginia
- Vienna
- 2023 average home value: $170,454
- Livability score: 83
- Weirton
- 2023 average home value: $127,525
- Livability score: 80
- Morgantown
- 2023 average home value: $264,378
- Livability score: 79
- South Charleston
- 2023 average home value: $153,643
- Livability score: 78
- Clarksburg
- 2023 average home value: $95,397
- Livability score: 71
Wisconsin
- De Pere
- 2023 average home value: $323,962
- Livability score: 91
- Greendale
- 2023 average home value: $326,315
- Livability score: 90
- Grafton
- 2023 average home value: $370,178
- Livability score: 90
- Whitefish Bay
- 2023 average home value: $519,974
- Livability score: 90
- Port Washington
- 2023 average home value: $298,928
- Livability score: 88
Wyoming
- Sheridan
- 2023 average home value: $393,516
- Livability score: 83
- Green River
- 2023 average home value: $257,507
- Livability score: 83
- Rock Springs
- 2023 average home value: $251,366
- Livability score: 82
- Gillette
- 2023 average home value: $303,904
- Livability score: 80
- Jackson
- 2023 average home value: $1,733,996
- Livability score: 79
Jordan Rosenfeld and Alexandria Bova contributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: GOBankingRates looked at the cities in every state that meet the following criteria; (1) have a population between 10,000 and 75,000 according to AreaVibes and (2) have information available for 2023 single-family residence home value from Zillow. GOBankingRates then ranked the cities in every state that met the above criteria by their livability scores from AreaVibes. This allowed GOBankingRates to identify the five hidden gem cities in every state with the highest livability scores. The population requirement was relaxed to include cities with a population of over 5,000 in states where there were no cities matching the 10,000 to 75,000 population. All cities were found within the top 25 livability-scored cities of each state. States for which the population requirement was relaxed: Alaska and Vermont. All data was collected and is up to date as of May 11, 2023.
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