3 GA Cities Among Best Places To Live In America, U.S. News Says

GEORGIA — Three cities in Georgia are among the top 150 places to live, according to a new ranking released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The cities in Georgia named to the 2024-2025 Best Places to Live in the U.S. report and their rankings include:

Atlanta, ranked No. 30

"Among the nation's fastest-growing cities for years, the Georgia capital attracts newcomers from around the country looking for culture and commerce. Atlanta features award-winning restaurants and chefs, as well as iconic locales that rival any across the country – including the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre, Centennial Olympic Park and the Western hemisphere's largest indoor aquarium. ... Atlanta has revitalized some previously declining neighborhoods across the area. This has resulted in the good, like Ponce City Market, an old warehouse-turned-mixed-use development in the Old Fourth Ward, and the bad – an increased cost of living."

Augusta, ranked No. 85

"Most out-of-towners recognize Augusta as the home of the Masters golf tournament, but those who live here know there's much more to the area than fairways and sand traps. Founded in the early 1700s along the Savannah River, Augusta played a crucial role in the Revolutionary and Civil wars. … Today, Augusta is home to a thriving culinary scene, and residents show a deep appreciation for the arts and the outdoors. Augusta is also becoming a destination for retirees who want warm weather and a low cost of living. "

Savannah, ranked No. 160

"Savannah’s Spanish moss-draped buildings, thriving arts scene, warm summers and mild winters have drawn tens of thousands to the Hostess City and the wider metropolitan area over the last two decades. Nestled on the salt marshes of coastal Georgia, the state’s oldest city continues to attract new residents with its low cost of living and historic charm. Much of the recent growth in the Savannah metropolitan area’s population has come in the western side of Chatham County … bolstered by Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s headquarters."

Naples, Florida, topped the list due to its strong job market and high quality of life, U.S. News said. A change in data collection, including a shift from metropolitan area-based data to city-based data — brought some new appearances in the top 25 from the Midwest and South.

“The incorporation of city-based data further localizes the Best Places to Live rankings, empowering those looking for a place to call home to consider factors directly impacting the livability and overall experiences associated with a given place,” Erika Giovanetti, a loans expert and reporter for U.S. News, said in a news release.

The top 10 places to live in the United States, according to the U.S. News methodology, are:

1. Naples, Florida
2. Boise, Idaho
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
4. Greenville, South Carolina
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
6. Raleigh, North Carolina
7. Huntsville, Alabama
8. Virginia Beach, Virginia
9. Austin, Texas
10. Boulder, Colorado

This year, U.S. News also adjusted its scoring weights for stronger considerations of a city’s value and job market.

“Rising concerns about career prospects, housing affordability and increased cost of goods and services are reflected in this year’s rankings,” Giovanetti said. “While quality of life remains the top priority for many Americans, a city’s value and job market are becoming increasingly important for those looking for a place to live.”

U.S. News takes into consideration the city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. The measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of people to find out what qualities they think are important in deciding where to live.

The 2024-2025 Best Places to Live were determined based on a methodology that takes into account the city’s job market, value, quality of life and desirability. These measures were weighted in part based on a public survey of thousands of individuals throughout the U.S. to find what qualities they consider important in a place to live.

Data and information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, Sharecare, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other U.S. News rankings were also used in the rankings.