2 VA Cities Among Best Places To Live In America, U.S. News Says

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

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

• Virginia Beach, ranked eighth. While many may think that Virginia Beach is a vacation destination and just another beach town, the city's glorious ocean views, beautiful waterfront homes and award-winning restaurants make it an ideal place to live year-round, the publication said.
• Richmond, ranked 68th. Virginia's capital city is steeped in American history, but it also has modern-day attractions and amenities to enjoy, such as world-class museums, a vibrant food scene and an array of entertainment options, according to U.S. News & World Report's list.

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.”

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.