From Tampa to D.C.: The Best & Worst Places to Live in the U.S.

Affordability is the number one priority for the majority of Americans considering a move. 

Among Americans looking to relocate to a different city or state, housing affordability ranked as the most important factor, ahead of—

• Safety (low crime rate)
• Low cost of living, and 
• Proximity to family and friends 

That said, rising crime was the top reason given by the 84% of Americans who said they could be talked into leaving their current city or state. 

That’s according to a recent survey by Clever Real Estate, which also revealed the best and worst places to live in the U.S., according to the 1,000 Americans who responded to the survey.

Nearly six out of 10 Americans live in the same area they’ve always lived, rather than the place they consider their “dream destination.” And while many would like to move in pursuit of a better life elsewhere, half of them (50%) say they can’t afford to. 

So, where would more Americans move if they could?

Most Desirable Cities

According to more than half the survey respondents, the most desirable cities to live in have— 

• Low crime rates (68%)
• Low living and housing costs (66%)
• Good weather (62%)
• Low taxes (52%)
• Lots of amenities and things to do (50%)

Americans rank Tampa as the “most desirable city” in 2024, with 23% listing it among their top five. 

10 Most Desirable Cities:

1. Tampa, FL
2. Charlotte, NC
3. Virginia Beach, VA
4. Nashville, TN
5. Orlando, FL
6. Raleigh, NC
7. Atlanta, GA
8. Denver, CO
9. Las Vegas, NV
10. Miami, FL

U.S. cities with the best food, according to survey respondents, are New York, New Orleans, and San Francisco. 

Not everyone wants to live in a big city, though, which is why Clever Real Estate also asked Americans to rank the most desirable mid-size U.S. cities. 

Honolulu ranked at the top, despite its high cost of living and high rate of outgoing buyer traffic. 

1. Honolulu, HI
2. Colorado Springs, CO
3. Charleston, SC
4. Cape Coral, FL
5. Palm Bay, FL
6. Winston, NC
7. Tucson, AZ
8. Albuquerque, NM
9. Greenville, SC
10. Augusta, GA

Least Desirable Cities

The list of cities Americans ranked as “least desirable” begins at the heart of American politics. 

Among the traits that make these metros so unappealing, 73% of respondents ranked a high crime rate at the top, followed by— 

• A high cost of living, including expensive home and rent prices (65%)
• High taxes (62%)
• Run-down infrastructure (58%)
• Bad weather and pollution (54%)

Roughly 33% of Americans surveyed ranked Washington, D.C. as the “most undesirable” city—up from the 20% who gave it bottom ranking in 2023. This marks the second year D.C. has been numbered among the worst places to live. 

Election drama could definitely be driving up that percentage. But aside from politics, D.C. is also one of the priciest cities in the country. That alone makes this metro—along with New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles—a no-go for the 65% of Americans who say a high cost of living makes a place undesirable. 

10 Least Desirable Cities:

1. Washington, DC
2. New York, NY
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Chicago, IL
5. Detroit, MI
6. Los Angeles, CA
7. Baltimore, MD
8. Birmingham, AL
9. Atlanta, GA
10. Buffalo, NY

Most Desirable States

Florida is this year’s best state to live in, according to survey respondents, bumping last year’s winner, California, to number two. And for the first time this year, South Carolina made it to the top 10, bumping Georgia off the list

10 Most Desirable States:

1. Florida
2. California
3. Texas
4. Hawaii
5. New York
6. North Carolina
7. Tennessee
8. Colorado
9. South Carolina
10. Washington

Least Desirable States

Oddly enough, California tops the list of least desirable states, while Florida ranks at number six. According to respondents, California also has the craziest residents, as well as the most pretentious. 

Thirty percent of Americans rank California among the top five worst states to live in, compared to 28% who rank it as one of the best. 

Florida is not the only southern state among the top 10 least desirable states. Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas also made the list. And unlike Florida, these four have poverty rates higher than the national average. Mississippi has the highest in the U.S. at 19.1%. 

10 Least Desirable States:

1. California
2. New York
3. Alaska
4. Alabama
5. Texas
6. Florida
7. Arkansas
8. New Jersey
9. Mississippi
10. Washington

Read the full report for more information, including methodology.