Let’s play a game of underrated/overrated: housing market edition.
A new survey conducted by Home Bay and Allied Van Lines found that in 2023, 63% of Americans say they like where they live, down from 80% in 2022. And that begs the question: Where would Americans rather be living?
The complete survey gives us a full breakdown of the cities Americans think are the most over-hyped, and which ones aren’t appreciated nearly enough. Let’s take a look.
Top 10 Most Underrated U.S. Cities to Live
According to 1,000 survey respondents, the most underrated U.S. cities are:
- Seattle, WA
- Tampa, FL
- Charlotte, NC
- St. Louis, MO
- Boston, MA
- Austin, TX
- Birmingham, AL
- Baltimore, MD
- San Jose, CA
- Atlanta, GA
Seattle took the top spot on the “Most Underrated City” and “Most Desirable City” within the same survey, showing that the city could be gaining popularity.
Top 10 Most Overrated U.S. Cities to Live
When it comes to being overrated, more than 30% of those who responded agree that the following factors contribute to an overrated status:
- High crime (41%)
- High cost of living (36%)
- Expensive homes (34%)
- High taxes (33%)
- High rent prices (32%)
Source: Home Bay
With that in mind, here are the top to most overrated cities to live in, according to survey results:
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Washington, D.C.
- Tampa, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Atlanta, GA
- Dallas, TX
- Boston, MA
Tampa, Atlanta, and Boston all made both the “Most Underrated” and “Most Overrated” lists, and New York City also took the number 4 spot on the “Most Desirable Cities to Live” list in the same survey. Our key takeaway from that: it’s all a matter of personal preference.
Every city has its pros and cons, and what might be overrated to one person could be a dream destination for another. What matters most is helping your clients find a place that aligns with their aspirations and values, whether it’s the fast-paced urban life or the tranquil charm of a smaller town.
For full survey results, including cities deemed most and least desirable, top states for relocation, and where Americans want to move, visit Home Bay.
