9 Best Places to Live in the Northern United States
You can spend $1.5 million on a Brooklyn studio or you can buy a three-bedroom in Pittsburgh for the same number minus a zero. The northern United States holds nine cities where quality of life and reasonable home prices still coexist. Ivy League Cornell sits in Ithaca. Lake Champlain meets the heart of Burlington's downtown. Boise foothills hikes start at the edge of the city. The nine cities ahead each show what city life looks like when you keep the mountains and waterfront built in.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, a city of contrasts, blends rural and urban like no other place in the state. With a sporty and smart population of around 124,000, it is as easy to find companions for stimulating conversation as it is to stay active outdoors. Nature abounds for the outdoorsy in the walkable "Tree Town," with a robust public park system, low crime rates, and excellent public schools. Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor feels like a society of its own, with a fast-growing startup scene, an international community, and a spirit of inclusivity. The counterculture is high-tech, enjoying all the trappings of a stereotypical Midwestern college town and its diverse job market.
Having rapidly grown since the 1940s, Ann Arbor today, with a median age in the late 20s, offers a household income well above the state average, and its historic main street and relative affordability for a college town make for a desirable townscape. Attracting all ages with bookstores, gift shops, and taverns, as well as cultural destinations and events, you can settle in for under $500,000 to own or rent monthly in the low $2,000s range. Over 90% of Ann Arbor residents live less than a 10-minute walk away from a public park for hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing in winter, with quick access to re-energized Detroit for even more opportunities.
Boise, Idaho
With prominent peaks overlooking the city, Boise often makes it to the best places to live in the nation as an affluent and outdoorsy city in the Rockies foothills. Having rapidly grown since the 1960s to its present-day population of around 239,000, with a median age in the late 30s, all the nature around lends an outdoorsy feel with a love for the outdoors. Its smaller-town vibes and rurality on the outskirts make it popular for family life. This desirable city abounds in friendly attractions and amenities, like an airport, town greens, and Zoo Boise, while Boise State University and a thriving economy offer newcomers opportunities to study and work in major sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and tourism for a comfortable and stable life.
Boasting a household income above the state average, Boise is the largest metro area in Idaho and one of the most populous in the Pacific Northwest, with a metropolitan area approaching 800,000. Being more affordable than other Rockies destinations like Aspen, Boise's housing market remains competitive despite recent price growth. The city on flat land is very manageable, with many hiking and biking trails starting from town proper and extending into the northeastern foothills, which offer wide eastern views from Downtown Boise. The city features a fantastic network of trails, including the top-rated Esther Simplot Park, while Boise National Forest and Sawtooth National Forest are a short drive away for hiking, camping, and backpacking, often eliminating the need for a getaway.
Burlington, Vermont
Comprising diverse neighborhoods as well as beautiful parks and trails for outdoor enthusiasts, this small city in Chittenden County is one of the most revered places to live and visit in the state. Homes for sale in Burlington run a wide range, where you can score a 3-bedroom for around the mid-$400,000s, making it a fantastic destination for starting a family. This thriving city of about 45,000 may have one of the highest poverty rates in the state, but it also enjoys better job diversity than even the bigger cities, including biomedical and life sciences, clean technologies, food and beverage, and information and communications technology.
Rivaling any other with its services, attractions, and entertainment, Burlington is a real hub of Vermont, attracting outdoor lovers and remote workers, as well as many young professionals. With a median age in the late 20s, there are also opportunities in professional fields and technical services. So, if you are determined and want to build a career with a stable work atmosphere, Burlington awaits you with good schools and plenty of things to do. The highly rated University of Vermont attracts both students and employers across all fields of education, while the relevant scene to unwind includes many restaurants and bars in this city, one of the best for singles, with a great, lively nightlife scene.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Having been steadily growing since the turn of the 20th century, the city of Green Bay in Brown County, Wisconsin, holds a current population of around 107,000. Some 100 miles north of Milwaukee, the metro population is over 326,000, while the median age in Green Bay is in the mid-30s. Offering a household income that supports comfortable middle-class living, its prices are also much more affordable than in many places in the Northern US, especially considering the manageable city size. Home to the NFL group Packers and avid sports fans with moderate views who enjoy entertainment after a good day's work, most ordinary things and costs correspond to work pay.
You can join the hustle and bustle as a homeowner, where the median listing price runs in the mid-$300,000s, and many households pay only 20% or so of income on housing. Green Bay is not just a greatly affordable place to live but a place to thrive while living a high-quality life. Goods and services cost less, which makes it easy to save up for a dream, start a family, or enjoy the wide opportunities to shop and play. The city offers a reliable transport system to get around conveniently, while the pleasant year-round weather without extremes and low chance of natural disasters lend peace of mind.
Hartford, Connecticut
With around 1.2 million people in the metro area, Hartford is full of amenities for urbanites, home to just over 120,000. Many of the oldest landmarks in the United States, with architecture abounding, lend a homegrown feel, pride, and sense of belonging. Once among the richest cities, it thrives on tourism with its status as one of the oldest metro areas in America, enriching lives with timeless charms. Hartford's illuminated history includes being the former home of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe, while its present-day industries include financial services, aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare, broadcasting, and distribution.
So, what makes Hartford a desirable place to live? Abounding in opportunities, with a median age in the early 30s, it offers a median home price under $250,000 or rent in the low $1,200s monthly. Set along the Connecticut River Valley, the city is a haven for nature lovers, with modern attractions concentrated in the historic downtown, while the surrounding suburbs offer affordability and tranquility for families. The wooded neighborhoods and the rolling hills invite exploration, with immediate access to leisure activities in Hartford's central business district. Blending nature and culture, you will never be bored out on town, including historic sites and entertainment venues. Through its peaceful environment and cultural diversity, Hartford is a versatile home in every season for a balanced life, with after-work adventures to the nearby vineyards, state parks, and ski slopes.
Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, home to just over 33,000 along the southern banks of Cayuga Lake, is a northern gem that often makes lists for being the best place to live in the whole US. The small city attracts students, families, and young professionals with its Ivy League school, Cornell University, a prestigious place to get an education that opens up doors. Not surprisingly, many stick around after studies, being an ultimate vacationland of the Finger Lakes region, with great city amenities like coffee shops, bookstores, and diverse cuisine, where it only costs around $400,000 to own against all the natural splendor. Ithaca's unemployment rate runs low, and food and groceries cost less than the state average while offering a competitive household income for a college town.
The scenic college town brings the phrase "Ithaca is gorges" to life, with beautiful gorges and waterfalls around and just a 1% higher cost of living than the national average. With a prevailing sense of community despite a younger median age, life revolves around the pillars of education and nature. Flocking for great academic influence, including Ithaca College, and a diverse job market with an air of innovative spirit, the young population enjoys the entertainment and cultural scene. Thriving art galleries, theaters, and music venues offer varied attractions to stay active or unwind, alongside trails, wineries, and breweries. Families enjoy the safe city and access to nature, with rich soils around the Finger Lakes evident through markets and the culinary landscape, while the town gives back by focusing on sustainability like a well-oiled machine.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Offering diverse opportunities in the thriving economy in conjunction with a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, this city attracts like-minded, easygoing new residents. Pittsburgh, home to approximately 302,000 people, enjoys a household income aligned with the region while balancing a higher poverty rate. With a median age in the mid-30s, this city is full of young professionals and families, with attractions like the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, and the Andy Warhol Museum. Pittsburgh is devoted to professional sports, including the NFL's Steelers, NHL's Penguins, and MLB's Pirates, while its galleries infuse Pittsburgh with culture. There is not a boring sliver of time in the city, where locals enjoy Acrisure Stadium, PPG Paints Arena, and PNC Park and happily battle through traffic to one of the games.
With a metro area population around 2.4 million, it is very affordable to live in Pittsburgh, with a median home price in the low $200,000s or a monthly rent around $1,300. Call it Blitzburgh or Steel City; its old blue-collar reputation is no more, with major corporations in the hub for technology and education. Pittsburgh is on the verge of greater heights as the reinvention city, encompassing almost 2,000 acres of land designated for parks, with state parks and riverfront parks all around. The South Side reigns with the bar scene, while the Cultural District is a destination for dance and live music performances almost nightly. With job opportunities for both families and graduates, the affordable city with ample green space and a strong sense of community hosts cultural festivals like the Three Rivers Arts Festival and the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Portland, Maine
Ah, Portland, with maritime vibes and a seafaring history stretching into present-day culture and seaside attractions. No wonder it is one of the most popular choices to live in the northern US, given all the opportunities in work, education, entertainment, and nature, soaked in the sea breeze. Home to around 68,000 and over 530,000 in the metro area, the youthful city is trendy with a distinctive charm and a median age in the mid-30s. It attracts the outgoing with a dynamic blend of creativity and the outdoors in an authentic and unpretentious environment. Quality life comes naturally, where experiences matter, but the higher-than-average household income is a nice perk. Residents enjoy cutting-edge technology, glamour, and gourmet cuisine bounded by a strong sense of community, a "do it yourself" attitude, and pride in their small city.
The old coastal neighborhoods host nostalgic and modern charms, like warm pubs, artist studios, and celebrity chef-driven restaurants, as well as vintage shops and lively street entertainment. With low unemployment and a crime rate slightly above the national average, you can score a home at a median price in the low-to-mid $500,000s or find rent in the upper teens to low $2,000s monthly. From there, it is just a hop to the waterfront for lighthouses, cruises, and sunset strolls, part of Portland's intrigue-enriching life. Home to a determined population, half hold a college degree, and a fifth boasts a master's, PhD, or professional degree. Even the higher cost of living is manageable in the city on the leaderboards for high quality of life, with a stable job market, high school preparedness, and high-quality medical care, while family attractions and exceptional nightlife add a sense of general well-being.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Set in the Wasatch Range, a subdivision of the Rockies, Salt Lake City, or SLC, the capital and most populous city of Utah, offers a second-to-none location in the state. With a population around 209,000 and a median age in the early 30s, its impressive household income outpaces many similar cities. SLC is a beacon for its big-city amenities within beautiful surroundings, comprising one of the Great Basin's only two major urban areas, together with Reno, Nevada. SLC is a dense city, hosting nearly 7% of the state's total population in a lively atmosphere between the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountains, with job opportunities abounding.
It is easy to make friends and enjoy numerous contemporary places and leisure pursuits, which excuses the higher cost of living, where the median home price has run around $550,000 in recent years. Dozens of hiking trails start in the city proper, perfect for a morning jog that can stretch into a weekend camping trip to the mountains with biking and climbing. Resting in Salt Lake Valley, SLC is your ultimate base for adventures, including access to many ski resorts within one hour. Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem is also part of a 120-mile development corridor along the Wasatch Front, while nearby Park City hosts the Sundance Film Festival, which tourists often enjoy in conjunction with visiting the state capital.
Where the Northern US Welcomes You Home
The northern pocket of the United States boasts a diverse cultural and natural landscape, between maritime Maine and the Finger Lakes and the farmlands of Pennsylvania. Full of attractions and amenities, each city on the list unites with a sense of belonging through its special traits, like the outdoorsy Boise or the distinctive Portland. The historic and aesthetic downtowns host business districts and thriving economies, sometimes with mountain views and others with waterfronts. Hartford, Connecticut, is one of the oldest cities in the US, hosting many of the most historic landmarks in the country alongside modern comforts.
