Money names Atlanta Best Place to Live in the U.S.

Money ranked Atlanta as the Best Place to Live in the U.S. in its annual list, citing its strong labor market, cultural amenities, and community spirit. 

Atlanta also has plenty of green space, historical relevance, a vibrant food, and music scene, and an ever-expanding network of bike and walking trails, and its cost of living, while rising, is more manageable than comparable cities like Austin, Texas. 

Money also cited Atlanta’s diversity, noting that it is the fourth-largest Black-majority city in the U.S. Its rich legacy in the civil rights movement is also noteworthy, as seen in local leaders’ longstanding dedication to fighting systemic issues of racism and inequality, the publication said. 

And while housing affordability is an ongoing issue, efforts to address it by the city, businesses, and community groups are laudable and are leading to “measurable results,” Money said.  

Other factors weighing in Atlanta’s favor are its full roster of professional sports teams, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and a large number of universities, startups, and Fortune 500 companies. 

The top 10 list of Best Places to Live includes:  

1. Atlanta

2. Tempe, Arizona

3. Kirkland, Washington

4. Raleigh, N.C.

5. Rogers Park (Chicago), Illinois

6. Columbia, Maryland

7. Somerville, Massachusetts

8. Ann Arbor, Michigan

9. Tampa, Florida

10. Jersey City, N.J.