Chicago, IL – Twenty-six cities from the Midwest, including notable entries from Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, have been distinguished as among the top 100 best places to live in the United States.
The recognition comes from a recent ranking published by Livability, which assesses small to mid-size cities with populations ranging from 75,000 to 500,000. Cities such as Naperville, Evanston, Bloomington, Peoria, and Champaign in Illinois; Carmel and Fishers in Indiana; and Madison and Appleton in Wisconsin are highlighted for their excellent living conditions.
The ranking methodology involves nearly 100 data points, focusing on factors like the economy, housing affordability, amenities, transportation, and education.
Livability emphasizes that the featured cities offer a balance of small-town appeal and big-city amenities but at a more accessible cost of living, with a median home value ceiling of $500,000.
This list serves as a guide for those considering relocation, offering insights into where quality of life is paired with affordability in the heartland of America. You can view the full list of 26 below or by visiting the website here.
Illinois
- Naperville
- LivScore: 862
- Population: 150,412
- Median Home Value: $433,840
- Evanston
- LivScore: 770
- Population: 77,940
- Median Home Value: $393,445
- Bloomington
- LivScore: 768
- Population: 81,405
- Median Home Value: $183,927
- Peoria
- LivScore: 706
- Population: 113,761
- Median Home Value: $133,905
- Champaign
- LivScore: 702
- Population: 91,186
- Median Home Value: $182,568
Indiana
6. Carmel
- LivScore: 875
- Population: 100,691
- Median Home Value: $380,506
- Fishers
- LivScore: 864
- Population: 102,878
- Median Home Value: $332,418
- Bloomington
- LivScore: 733
- Population: 79,129
- Median Home Value: $244,663
Wisconsin
9. Madison
- LivScore: 754
- Population: 267,446
- Median Home Value: $342,009
- Appleton
- LivScore: 749
- Population: 75,761
- Median Home Value: $198,067
Michigan
11. Troy
– LivScore: 839
– Population: 85,685
– Median Home Value: $343,627
12. Ann Arbor
– LivScore: 751
– Population: 123,372
– Median Home Value: $389,893
Missouri
13. O’Fallon
– LivScore: 812
– Population: 92,969
– Median Home Value: $282,106
Minnesota
14. Rochester
– LivScore: 775
– Population: 123,114
– Median Home Value: $283,187
15. Duluth
– LivScore: 736
– Population: 85,703
– Median Home Value: $212,739
16. St. Paul
– LivScore: 722
– Population: 304,306
– Median Home Value: $290,183
17. Bloomington
– LivScore: 803
– Population: 89,631
– Median Home Value: $321,788
Iowa
18. Cedar Rapids
– LivScore: 762
– Population: 137,532
– Median Home Value: $169,677
19. Iowa City
– LivScore: 748
– Population: 76,439
– Median Home Value: $285,856
Additional Cities
20. Overland Park, Kansas
– LivScore: 851
– Population: 200,187
– Median Home Value: $354,977
21. Fargo, North Dakota
– LivScore: 752
– Population: 132,495
– Median Home Value: $246,138
22. Lincoln, Nebraska
– LivScore: 751
– Population: 294,536
– Median Home Value: $237,462
23. Lawrence, Kansas
– LivScore: 747
– Population: 96,705
– Median Home Value: $223,017
24. Omaha, Nebraska
– LivScore: 742
– Population: 485,436
– Median Home Value: $226,188
25. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
– LivScore: 741
– Population: 203,897
– Median Home Value: $261,945
26. Rapid City, South Dakota
– LivScore: 699
– Population: 78,542
– Median Home Value: $274,003
