Often called a melting pot, there are countless cities and towns to live in and visit in the United States of America. With such a vast array of climates and landscapes, spanning roughly 3.8 million square miles, there’s something for everyone here. Whether you’re looking for a beach town to call home or a ski town for your winter holiday, we explore the top places in the U.S.
Best Places to Live by State
Every state is unique with something different to offer. From the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic coastlines to the hills, mountains, and Great Plains in between, there is an array of cultures and climates. Most have four seasons of weather, including cold and snowy winters, but you can also find subtropical destinations like Florida. Famous for an array of landmarks, cities, and sites, these are some of the best places to visit and live while exploring each state.
The United States and Its Biggest Cities
| American State | Largest City |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Huntsville |
| Alaska | Anchorage |
| Arizona | Phoenix |
| Arkansas | Little Rock |
| California | Los Angeles |
| Colorado | Denver |
| Connecticut | Bridgeport |
| Delaware | Wilmington |
| Florida | Jacksonville |
| Georgia | Atlanta |
| Hawaii | Honolulu |
| Idaho | Boise |
| Illinois | Chicago |
| Indiana | Indianapolis |
| Iowa | Des Moines |
| Kansas | Wichita |
| Kentucky | Louisville |
| Louisiana | New Orleans |
| Maine | Portland |
| Maryland | Baltimore |
| Massachusetts | Boston |
| Michigan | Detroit |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis |
| Mississippi | Jackson |
| Missouri | Kansas City |
| Montana | Billings |
| Nebraska | Omaha |
| Nevada | Las Vegas |
| New Hampshire | Manchester |
| New Jersey | Newark |
| New Mexico | Albuquerque |
| New York | New York City |
| North Carolina | Charlotte |
| North Dakota | Fargo |
| Ohio | Columbus |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
| Oregon | Portland |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia |
| Rhode Island | Providence |
| South Carolina | Charleston |
| South Dakota | Sioux Falls |
| Tennessee | Nashville |
| Texas | Houston |
| Utah | Salt Lake City |
| Vermont | Burlington |
| Virginia | Virginia Beach |
| Washington D.C. | n/a |
| Washington | Seattle |
| West Virginia | Charleston |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne |
The Best Beach Towns and Ski Towns
Living in America
Famous for places like New York City and Hollywood, the United States is home to fifty states and a federal district as well as multiple territories and minor islands. A large nation with a long history spanning back centuries, the US is best known for its diverse array of cultures and ethnicities.
With plenty of destinations to choose from, narrowing down which state to live in can seem daunting. However, if you know the kind of lifestyle you would like to experience, deciding where to go can become a much easier task. Boasting unique landscapes, activities, and cultures, regardless of where you go, you can find somewhere that feels like home.
Most Populated Cities by American State
For tourists and residents alike, the biggest cities in a state are usually some of the favorites. From the largest destinations in the U.S. of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix, respectively, to smaller cities like Roanoke, Bethesda, Bethlehem, and Tempe, there are locations for every kind of person. Visit America’s bustling cities of over a million people or find your home in a small-to-midsize city of less than a few hundred thousand people.
Top Beach Towns to Live by American State
Beach life is where it’s at for a lot of people and the U.S. boasts an impressive shoreline to accommodate them. America’s coast measures 12,479 miles by CRA standards and a whopping 95,509 miles by NOAA (which follows every zig and zack. The are hundreds of cool beach towns to discover in the 23 states that touch an ocean, and even more, if you include the Great Lakes shorelines.
Top Ski Towns to Live by American State
Mountain towns home to a local ski resort are terrific places to reside year-round. Not only do you get reliable and convenient skiing and snowboarding in your own backyard all winter long, but in the summer, many of these resorts boast an abundance of recreation, entertainment, and events. From big-name American ski towns like Jackson, WY, Aspen, CO, and Stowe, VT, to the lesser-known winter playgrounds that are still a “secret”, there’s an alpine destination waiting for you.
Top Small Towns to Live by American State
America has a myriad of little towns and communities tucked away in all fifty states. They range in population from less than a hundred people, up to thousands and tens of thousands. Whether you’re looking for a place to call home with a charming main street and a plethora of parks, or a rural spot with ample acreage, you can find a small town suitable for your needs somewhere in the vast United States.
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What else is the US famous for?
Whether you want to go to the coast, head into the mountains, spend time on the beach, or explore a desert, you’ll find a range of environments, attractions, and even people, throughout the USA. On La Vida Nomad, we cover the top places to stay, ranging from luxury resorts to rustic cabins to campsites in the woods. For activities, we focus on beaches and ski resorts, the best of both seasons, as well as food and sightseeing.
