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Top 5 Best Cities to Move to in 2024
#1 Omaha, Nebraska
Score: 100 out of 100
According to our research, the overall best city to move to in 2024 is Omaha, Nebraska, which scored a perfect 100 out of 100 based on our point system.
Omaha has a reasonable median monthly housing cost of $1,188 and its residents have a median family income of $69,198. We loved that the city enjoys 117 sunny days a year and has an impressive 98% employment rate, emphasizing the city’s strong job market and abundant opportunities for those who value career advancement.
As far as safety is concerned, Omaha has a fairly low crime rate with only 40 out of 1,000 residents being impacted, showing the city’s commitment to keeping homes safe and secure.
Overall, Omaha is a great option if you’re looking for somewhere to move. While the city did see a net loss of around 5,000 residents from 2016 to 2020, it offers a solid combination of affordability, economic opportunity, enjoyable climate, employment opportunities and safety. This is why we chose it as the overall winner.
#2 Raleigh, North Carolina
Score: 83.12 out of 100
The second best city to move to in 2024, per our research, is Raleigh, North Carolina, which scored an impressive 83.12 out of 100 based on our point system.
Raleigh offers a lot, including an impressive median family income of nearly $81,000, reasonable average monthly housing costs of $1,446 and a high employment rate of 97%, highlighting the city's economic vitality and available resources for professional development.
If time outdoors is important to you, Raleigh might be a great choice, as it sees 109 sunny days per year. This factor may have helped it to attract a net migration of an impressive 14,919 people between the years of 2016 and 2020, the highest of any other city in our top five.
All of this, and more, makes Ralegh a desirable destination for individuals and families looking to move somewhere that’s bound to improve their quality of life.
#3 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Score: 80.25 out of 100
Trailing just slighing behind Raleigh is Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which we gave an 80.25 out of 100, earning it the spot of third best overall city to move to in 2024.
We loved Oklahoma City’s impressive 97% employment rate, indicating the city’s robust job market and affordable monthly housing costs averaging $1.081, which is low compared to many other metropolitan areas across the United States.
The median family income of Oklahoma City is around $57,000, and while this may seem low, It should be considered in the context of the city's overall cost of living, which is low compared to many other major cities in the United States. This affordability contributes to the city’s overall appeal and is likely a driving factor for its overall net migration of over 450 people between 2016 and 2020. This means that even with the lower overall family income, Oklahoma City residents can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.
If you’re looking to move somewhere where you can enjoy the great outdoors, Oklahoma City sees an impressive 139 days of sun each year, which is the most of any city in our top five. That, coupled with its relatively low crime rate, with 37 out of 1,000 people being affected, makes Oklahoma City one of the best places to move in 2024.
#4 Wichita, Kansas
Score: 80.02 out of 100
Wichita, Kansas earned a score of 80.02 out of 100, landing it the fourth spot on our list. If affordability is top of mind for you, Wichita has the lowest median monthly housing cost out of our overall top five cities, at only $930, while still having a decent median family income of $60,856.
We were impressed by the city’s 98% employment rate, highlighting its economy and the labor market, which is great for both its residents and businesses. That said, the city has seen a net loss of 163 residents from 2016 to 2020.
If you value time outside, Wichita sees an impressive 128 sunny days per year. Unfortunately, the city does have the highest crime rate of our top five cities, but don’t let this deter you as it’s still overall fairly low, with only 44 out of 1,000 residents being impacted. Plus, there are so many ways to keep your home safe and secure.
Based on its strong employment market, favorable climate and affordable housing options, we found Wichita to be one of the most desirable cities to live and work in 2024.
#5 Colorado Springs, Colorado
Score: 79.56 out of 100
Rounding out our top five list of the best cities to move to in 2024 is Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a score of 79.56 out of 100.
The city boasts an impressive employment rate of 97%, has average monthly housing costs of $1,500 and sees a median family income of $69,266.
With its easy access to the mountains and 136 sunny days a year, it’s no surprise the city has seen an astonishing net migration between 2016 and 2020 of 6,124 people.
A compelling package of economic growth, affordability and natural beauty also make Colorado Springs an attractive destination for prospective residents.
Full Rankings: The Best Cities to Move to in 2024
Deciding on the best city for you to move to is a highly personal decision that will depend on what you’re looking for, what you value, your priorities and your lifestyle. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, considering certain key factors can help you make a well-informed decision that aligns with your needs and aspirations.
Factors like monthly housing costs, employment rate, median family income, net migration to the city and crime rate are some important factors you should always consider before moving somewhere new. By considering all of these factors and more, you can make a well-rounded assessment of potential destinations and choose a city that offers the best fit for your needs. Here are our top 15 cities to move to in 2024 and how they rank on these important factors.
The Top 15 Cities to Move to for Quality of Life
If your main drive for moving is to improve your quality of life, there are certain factors you should weigh more heavily than others: ones that impact your well-being and overall satisfaction with your living environment. When looking for somewhere to move, search for cities that emphasize personal safety, environmental conditions and access to educational opportunities.
In determining the top cities to move to for quality of life, we evaluated each city’s crime rate, air quality and quality of education. With those factors in mind, we determined that Virginia Beach, Virginia is the best city to move to for those who are looking for an improved quality of life, followed by Raleigh, North Carolina; San Diego, California; Tampa, Florida and rounding out the top five cities for quality of life is Washington, D.C.
Ultimately, placing emphasis on factors such as crime rate, air quality and quality of education can help you find a city to move to that offers the best prospects for improving your quality of life and finding a place where you can thrive and enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle. Here are our top 15 cities to move to in 2024 for improved quality of life and how they rank on these important factors.
The Top 15 Most Desirable Cities
If you’re hoping your next home offers high desirability, there are different qualities you should be looking for, including factors that help contribute to a vibrant, entertaining and attractive living environment.
In determining the top cities for desirability, we evaluated each location’s weather, arts and entertainment establishments, average travel time to work and net migration to the city. With those factors in mind, we determined that Mesa, Arizona is the best city to move to for desirability, followed by Colorado Springs, Colorado; Tucson, Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona and rounding out the top five cities for desirability is Bakersfield, California.
By looking for a city with plentiful sunny days a year, low commute times and ample opportunities for entertainment, you’re bound to find a city that offers a lot to be desired. Here are our top 15 cities to move to in 2024 for desirability and how they rank on these determining factors.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to pack up your belongings, find the best long-distance moving company and have somewhere new to call home, hopefully this information and these lists can help you determine the place that’s best for you.
Whether you’re looking to move somewhere to improve your quality of life, are seeking somewhere more desirable or are moving for a different reason, by weighing your options, you’ll be sure to find the best city for you.
If you found this information interesting or just want to learn more we invite you to visit our hub for more insightful statistics pages that dig deeper into moving trends. Whether you're getting ready to move, or are just starting to weigh your options, one of the best cities to move to in 2024 could be right for you.
Methodology
The Forbes Home team of experts analyzed data across the top 50 most populated cities using 12 different metrics across four categories: Value, Quality of Life, Job Market and Desirability. Each metric was given an individual weighting to provide every city with a score scaled out of 100. The following metrics and weighting was used to create our ranking:
Value (30%)
When determining the value of a city, median housing cost data from the U.S. Census Bureau made up 15% of its rating and cost of living data from MIT Living Wage Project made up another 15% of its rating.
Quality of Life (30%)
The quality of life rating for each city was made up of several data points. Crime rate data from NeighborhoodScout made up 12.5% of this score, air quality information from the Environmental Protection Agency make accounted for 2.5%, quality of education included Forbes Home data on the percentage of adults with a diploma which make up 7.5% of the score and data from NeighborhoodScout on the percent students proficient in reading and math in city's primary public school district made up the final 7.5%.
Job Market (25%)
A city’s job market ranking was determined by employment rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics which made up 12.5% of this score and media income data from the U.S. Census Bureau makes up the other 12.5%.
Desirability (15%)
The desirability of a city was made up of several factors like weather and average sunny days per year data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which made up 2.5% of this score, U.S. Census Bureau data on arts and entertainment establishments per 100,000 residents accounted for another 2.5%, average travel time to work data from the U.S. Census Bureau made up 5% of the score and the final 5% included U.S. Census Bureau data on net migration to the city.
