The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) published its annual Global Livability Index 2024that assesses cities worldwide on their quality of life.
The EIU report examines 173 cities worldwide based on 30 indicators, divided into five different categories:
- Stability
- healthcare
- Culture and environment
- Education and infrastructure
The cities were then ranked on a 100-point scale. For the third year in a row, Vienna, Austria, was ranked as the world's best city to live. On the other side of the world, no US city was in the top 20 best places to live.
The report shows that there is a trend in the US this year for smaller cities to outperform larger metropolitan areas.
Two of the most popular cities in America, New York and Los Angeles, were not in the top 10, ranking 70th and 58th respectively.
Honolulu is the best American city to live in
Honolulu is the best U.S. city to live in for the second year in a row, according to the EIU. It ranked 23rd on the global list, up from 25th in 2023.
The Hawaiian city landed the top spot due to its high scores in education, infrastructure and stability compared to other US cities.
Honolulu, Hawaii, is the #1 best city to live in the US, according to the EIU.
M Swiet Productions | Moment | Getty Images
According to him, living in Honolulu also means living in a city in one of the most expensive states in the US CNBC's America's Top States for Business study. It scored high based on an index of prices for a range of goods and services.
The cost of living in Hawaii is high due to several factors, including the fact that so many items are imported to the island. According to that CNBC survey, gas prices in the state are among the highest in the country.
Honolulu is also the western metro area with the largest rent increase for 1-bedroom apartments in a year. According to rental estimate data from Apartment List for April 2023 to April 2024, analyzed by CNBC Make It.
The 10 Best Cities to Live in the US
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Atlanta, GA.
- Pittsburgh, Pa
- Seattle, Wash.
- Washington DC
- Chicago, Illinois.
- Boston, MA
- Miami, Florida
- San Francisco, California
- Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Atlanta, Georgia, is the second best city to live in the US, ranking 29th on the global list, ahead of other major US cities such as New York, LA and San Francisco.
Atlanta, Georgia, ranked the second best city to live in the US by the EIU.
Marilyn Nieves | E+ | Getty Images
Home to mega-corporations like Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines, According to the American newspaper Atlanta, Atlanta was named the best place to start your own business in 2023 LinkedInAccording to the job site, Atlanta was recognized as the metro area in the U.S. with the fastest annual growth, 92%, in people starting their own businesses.
The metro area has been growing “at a breakneck pace” thanks to the strong recovery in employment since the pandemic, Fox 5 Atlanta reports.
Atlanta dominates industries such as transportation and film and television production. It is also home to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, considered the busiest airport in the world.
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