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Oakland may be San Francisco’s rougher, smaller next-door neighbor. But it’s a great place to live in its own right, even if you can’t afford a unit in the stunning Cathedral Building. Oakland’s expanding restaurant scene has brought it some buzz. Residents embrace a grittier background than their Bay Area neighbors, as reflected by fans of the Raiders football team, known simply as “Raider Nation.”
Bars: 67
Restaurants: 894
Museums: 14
Libraries: 27
Pro sports teams: 3
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 13
Colleges: 7
Percent with graduate degree: 11.2
Median household income: $59,097
Percent unemployed: 9.5
The home of the Alamo, San Antonio beats in-state rival Dallas this year, thanks to a better local economy and significantly lower crime. Mayor Julian Castro is a rising political star, the first Hispanic person to give the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Although its strength may be its Tex Mex cuisine at joints such as Rosario’s, San Antonio meets diverse tastes with its Culinaria wine and culinary arts festival in May and street fair Fiesta each April.
Bars: 345
Restaurants: 2,914
Museums: 31
Libraries: 36
Pro sports teams: 3
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 17
Colleges: 7
Percent with graduate degree: 5.5
Median household income: $54,444
Percent unemployed: 7.4
A city with a beautiful waterfront and unique Mid-Atlantic flair, Baltimore misses the top 25 due to its high unemployment, 11.1 percent, and its crime rate, fourth worst on our list. Still, fans of The Wire might get an unfair impression of this city. Its location on the Eastern seaboard makes it easily accessible, and Baltimore boasts major research hubs, such as Johns Hopkins University.
Bars: 243
Restaurants: 1,590
Museums: 45
Libraries: 36
Pro sports teams: 2
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 8
Colleges: 11
Percent with graduate degree: 8.5
Median household income: $50,492
Percent unemployed: 11.1
The Windy City, America’s third-largest metropolis, would rank much higher if it were evaluated purely on its strong universities and thriving entertainment. Chicago is as hot as any city, thanks to its fine dining in such neighborhoods as Lincoln Park, nightlife in its more than 800 bars, and strong acting chops honed at such places as Second City and the Steppenwolf Theatre Co. To climb higher in the list, however, Chicago must address its increasing gang violence and high crime, as well as poor air quality and major economic issues.
Bars: 807
Restaurants: 6,438
Museums: 76
Libraries: 99
Pro sports teams: 8
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 4
Colleges: 42
Percent with graduate degree: 9.3
Median household income: $56,121
Percent unemployed: 9.8
Of all the cities on the list, Arlington has the highest median household income and the lowest rate of unemployment, making it an economic bright spot across the river from Washington, D.C. Arlington National Cemetery is a moving destination for tourists. But the city could stand to be a bit more fun—it’s held back by weak nightlife.
Bars: 12
Restaurants: 575
Museums: 8
Libraries: 12
Pro sports teams: 0
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 8
Colleges: 5
Percent with graduate degree: 27.2
Median household income: $132,580
Percent unemployed: 3.7
Milwaukee’s got good air quality and better brews. In the 1970s, America met the fictitious "Shotz Brewery" of Laverne & Shirley. In real life, the Miller Brewing Co. maintains its regional headquarters in the hometown of the “Brew Crew,” the nickname for local major league baseball team the Milwaukee Brewers. With fewer than 600,000 residents, the city still boasts 390 bars, which is a lot per capita. And did we mention the sausages?
Bars: 390
Restaurants: 947
Museums: 20
Libraries: 30
Pro sports teams: 2
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 16 (countywide)
Colleges: 12
Percent with graduate degree: 5.4
Median household income: $44,113
Percent unemployed: 9.4
Kentucky’s second-largest city, Lexington is known as the “Horse Capital of the World” for its large horse-breeding operations less than 80 miles from the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. Lexington’s residents enjoy strong employment rates and median income, but much of the city’s night life depends on its temporary residents—the thousands of student Wildcats at the local University of Kentucky.
Bars: 49
Restaurants: 658
Museums: 17
Libraries: 14
Pro sports teams: 1
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 21
Colleges: 3
Percent with graduate degree: 11
Median household income: $69,697
Percent unemployed: 6.5
The City of Brotherly Love is one of our highest-ranked spots for entertainment and nightlife, with 3,800 restaurants. Beyond cheesesteaks, Benjamin Franklin’s old haunt features a bustling college and arts scene. But Philadelphia isn’t great for your health, with significant crime and low air quality pulling down its ratings.
Bars: 400
Restaurants: 3,821
Museums: 91
Libraries: 100
Pro sports teams: 5
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 7
Colleges: 18
Percent with graduate degree: 6.4
Median household income: $48,330
Percent unemployed: 10.9
Oklahoma City owes much to basketball star Kevin Durant for bringing it to national attention. The city received (or stole away, if you're from Seattle) its first major pro sports team (the team Durant plays for), the NBA's Thunder, in 2008. With more than 100 bars and almost 30 museums, this city has plenty of fresh attractions. But some of its most distinctive features remain regional homage, such as the American Banjo Museum and the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival in June.
Bars: 102
Restaurants: 1,251
Museums: 29
Libraries: 13
Pro sports teams: 2
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 39
Colleges: 6
Percent with graduate degree: 6.0
Median household income: $58,370
Percent unemployed: 5.2
Houston checks in as Texas’ second-best city to live in. The nation’s fourth-largest city holds its own with its food and drink (steakhouses are a staple), but its large areas of public parks help put it over the top. Houston’s residents can enjoy its six professional sports teams and Museum District, but the feather in the city’s cap is, well, rocket science: NASA Mission Control, where the nation hopes Houston doesn’t ever have any problems.
Bars: 549
Restaurants: 5,549
Museums: 58
Libraries: 63
Pro sports teams: 6
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 22
Colleges: 17
Percent with graduate degree: 6.6
Median household income: $48,889
Percent unemployed: 7.6
Nestled on the Ohio River, Ohio’s third-largest city has a picturesque downtown that includes one of the country’s most beautiful pro sports stadiums, the Cincinnati Reds’ Great American Ball Park on the riverside. Other city stalwarts: the acclaimed Cincinnati Pops orchestra and major employer Procter & Gamble (PG).
Bars: 105
Restaurants: 600
Museums: 18
Libraries: 35
Pro sports teams: 2
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 21
Colleges: 8
Percent with graduate degree: 8.9
Median household income: $49,048
Percent unemployed: 7.2
Columbus excels in education as the home of Ohio State University, which keeps life flowing through Ohio’s largest city and state capital. That helps support historic neighborhoods such as German Village, whose Schiller Park recently celebrated its bicentennial and hosted a speech by President Barack Obama. Columbus, Ohio's best city on our list, can also take pride in its zoo, well known for its longtime director emeritus, Jack Hanna.
Bars: 249
Restaurants: 1,656
Museums: 13
Libraries: 27
Pro sports teams: 2
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 14.7
Colleges: 8
Percent with graduate degree: 7.8
Median household income: $54,763
Percent unemployed: 6.5
Honolulu, the gateway to Hawaii, may rank behind Lincoln, Neb., for best air quality, but it has a pretty healthy lead in shoreline property. The Pacific melting pot’s residents make one of the highest median household incomes on this list. When tourists swarming Waikiki Beach get to be too much, locals can easily drive across their island to Oahu’s North Shore, a surfer’s paradise. In town, Honolulu houses one of the nation’s great cultural collections, the Bishop Museum.
Bars: 105
Restaurants: 1,296
Museums: 31
Libraries: 38
Pro sports teams: 0
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 7 (countywide)
Colleges: 10
Percent with graduate degree: 8.9
Median household income: $78,233
Percent unemployed: 6.4
Raleigh wins the Carolinas, with strong median household income, low crime, and five universities. As one-third of the Research Triangle region, Raleigh is just minutes from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Duke University. The city features a major historical tradition with such properties as the Mordecai House and Tucker House. Residents who aren’t so interested in uninhabited old houses—especially younger residents—might prefer the sights at BugFest, the event at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Bars: 93
Restaurants: 1,007
Museums: 15
Libraries: 17
Pro sports teams: 1
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 31
Colleges: 5
Percent with graduate degree: 11.4
Median household income: $76,255
Percent unemployed: 7.8
Home to the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin system, Madison had the second-strongest combination of low unemployment and high median household income of any city on this list. Madison has 13 beaches on its local lakes. About 90 minutes’ drive from Milwaukee, the city also boasts one of the lowest crime rates among major cities.
Bars: 86
Restaurants: 595
Museums: 12
Libraries: 33
Pro sports teams: 0
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 22
Colleges: 2
Percent with graduate degree: 15.6
Median household income: $78,187
Percent unemployed: 5.4
Atlanta’s combination of entertainment, cuisine, and parks rates second-best on our list. So why does "Hotlanta" rank only 16th overall? Air quality and unemployment are areas of concern, but Atlanta’s crime problem—second-worst on this list—keeps it from soaring. The city has greatly increased its park space in recent years. Residents can also pay homage to arguably their city’s greatest invention: The World of Coca-Cola (KO) park has educated soda pop enthusiasts for five years at its Pemberton Place location.
Bars: 146
Restaurants: 1,566
Museums: 37
Libraries: 37
Pro sports teams: 5
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 7
Colleges: 12
Percent with graduate degree: 12.7
Median household income: $59,345
Percent unemployed: 10.2
(Corrects an earlier version of this slide, which contained an incorrect image.)
Were it not for its high crime rate, Missouri’s largest city might rank even higher. Residents working in the city’s downtown area are watched over by the iconic Kansas City Power & Light Building, while shoppers can get lost in local shopping centers such as Country Club Plaza and the Legends at Village West. For a unique blend of technology, arts, and history, residents can always stop by the city’s old transportation hub, Union Station.
Bars: 113
Restaurants: 921
Museums: 28
Libraries: 19
Pro sports teams: 3
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 36
Colleges: 15
Percent with graduate degree: 7.3
Median household income: $59,980
Percent unemployed: 6.9
New Orleans is legendary for its good times and is now also known for its resilient response to the ravages of Hurricane Katrina. Less obvious strengths, however, abound in the quality of its air and its universities, anchored by Tulane University. Low median household incomes and a high rate of crime keep the Big Easy out of the top 10, but they can’t take away the French Quarter’s iconic charms—from its genteel beignets to the sloppy, bead-induced revels of Bourbon Street.
Bars: 284
Restaurants: 986
Museums: 34
Libraries: 20
Pro sports teams: 2
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 84
Colleges: 10
Percent with graduate degree: 8.5
Median household income: $48,789
Percent unemployed rate: 10.6
Nashville makes it to 13th place in part due to its nearly 1,500 restaurants and to Vanderbilt University, but that’s not what defines the pulse of the Music City. Home to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville has attracted or raised a numbingly long list of America’s top musicians, from country greats such as Johnny Cash to modern acts like Kesha. For Nashville residents, finding some of America’s next best music can be as simple as strolling over to Music Row, where new venues blend with nearby classics, such as the Station Inn.
Bars: 138
Restaurants: 1,493
Museums: 30
Libraries: 35
Pro sports teams: 3
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 18
Colleges: 13
Percent with graduate degree: 8.3
Median household income: $59,270
Percent unemployed: 7.3
Known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis has some the nation’s best parks and bodies of water. Add in the cold, and you get the local University of Minnesota’s combined eleven ice hockey national championships. Downtown Minneapolis beats the cold with a unique network of connected buildings, with the City Center mall at its core.
Bars: 97
Restaurants: 969
Museums: 21
Libraries: 25
Pro sports teams: 4
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 13
Colleges: 8
Percent with graduate degree: 12.5
Median household income: $64,095
Percent unemployed: 5.7
