9 Best Places To Live In The Northern United States In 2025
From coastal Maine to inland Minnesota, the Northern United States is a diverse and breathtaking region, offering a myriad of natural and urban landscapes. From bustling cities with thriving job markets to peaceful small towns with a slower pace, the Northern USA caters to an eclectic range of lifestyles and preferences, ensuring everyone can find their ideal fit. Whether you are a family, young professional, student, or retiree prioritizing affordability, education, healthcare, or lifestyle, one of these nine Northern US cities or towns may just be the perfect place for you to call home in 2025.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Praised for its overall quality of life, the Michigan city of Ann Arbor is great for families and young professionals alike. While students flock here to attend the University of Michigan, graduates are also inclined to stay for the city's thriving job market in sectors like technology and healthcare. With unemployment rates below the national average, Ann Arbor locals have access to the University of Michigan Hospital, one of the city’s largest employers. The hospital also grants residents access to top-notch healthcare. Coupled with the city’s low crime rates and access to natural attractions like the Barton Nature Area and Gallup Park, it is easy to see why US News named Ann Arbor the “Best Place to Live for Quality of Life in the US in 2024-2025.”
West Hartford, Connecticut
Named the “Best Place to Live in Connecticut” by Niche for a whopping eight years in a row, West Hartford shines for its blend of urban and suburban charms. A short drive from Hartford, Connecticut’s state capital, West Hartford residents can enjoy a more small-city feel. However, this proximity also allows West Hartford locals to access the capital’s world-class healthcare and thriving job market in sectors like finance and insurance.
With companies like the Travelers Indemnity Co. and Hartford Insurance Group just a short commute away, unemployment rates in West Hartford fall lower than the national average. Facilities like the Hartford Hospital are also nearby, allowing West Hartford locals to access healthcare without long travel times. This short but impactful distance from the capital also allows West Hartford to maintain its quieter atmosphere and natural attractions, including gems like the Elizabeth Park Conservancy and the West Hartford Reservoir.
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is a cozy New England city perfect for introverts and retirees seeking a slower pace and natural surroundings. Perched on the shores of Lake Champlain, with the Green Mountains to the east, locals get a front-row seat to attractions like the Burlington Bike Path and North Beach Park. Many of Vermont’s best ski areas are also under an hour’s drive from the city, including the Stowe Mountain Resort and Mad River Glen.
For those looking to stay local, Downtown Burlington has everything you need. The walkable Church Street Marketplace is the town’s prized pedestrian-only shopping district, boasting over 100 stores and restaurants. Every Saturday, from May 10th to October 25th, the Burlington Farmers Market is another delight on the south end of town, showcasing local produce and artisan vendors. Come fall, Saturdays can be replaced with fall foliage drives. Burlington is a gateway to some of Vermont’s best scenic byways, like Route 100, whose rolling hills come alive with New England’s famous fall hues.
Buffalo, New York
For city lovers, Buffalo offers an incredible range of urban amenities and attractions without the higher cost of living. Residents can access local healthcare facilities like the Mercy Hospital of Buffalo and save on transportation by strolling from place to place in this walkable city, which Walkscore.com calls a “Walker’s Paradise.” Compared to other New York cities, it is also much easier to afford a home here, whether renting or buying. In February 2025, the median listing price in New York’s Big Apple was $825K, while Buffalo’s was just $209.9K. With savings this great, many like to put extra funds toward the city’s leisure, like the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo Zoo, and nearby Niagara Falls.
Ithaca, New York
Over in New York’s Finger Lakes region, Ithaca is a laid-back college town favored for its natural beauty. Around 33,000 people lived here in 2023, with a median age of 23.6. As the home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, this youthfulness is unsurprising; however, the town is also a beloved retirement destination due to its small-town feel and waterfront setting. Residents can stay active at green spaces along Cayuga Lake such as East Shore Park, while also enjoying access to sites like Ithaca Falls and Buttermilk Falls State Park.
While Ithaca is more affordable than the Big Apple, its expenses are higher than Buffalo’s. In February 2025, the median home listing here was nearly $500k, although the median selling price was lower, at $352K. For those whose budget allows, the town’s laid-back lifestyle, natural setting, and distance from larger cities are Ithaca’s main appeals. Additionally, despite its more secluded setting, locals do not have to forgo essentials like healthcare, with the Cayuga Medical Center right in town.
Fort Wayne, Indiana
If affordability is more of a priority, places like Fort Wayne stand out for their lower cost of living. Home buyers are especially drawn to this northeastern Indiana city, with housing costs trending down nearly 4% year-over-year. In February 2025, the median listing price in Fort Wayne was just $269K, with a median selling price of $235K. For first-time homeowners, young families, and retirees on a budget, these prices are some of the most affordable you can find.
Moreover, the city is diverse in its job offerings, amenities, and attractions. Its main industries include manufacturing, education, and healthcare, with top-rated facilities like the Lutheran Hospital and Dupont Hospital both serving the community and providing jobs. In terms of leisure, the city is especially known for its family-friendly attractions, like the Fort Wayne Zoo and Science Central Museum. The city’s parks, on the other hand, are popular with all ages, from Promenade Park to the Lindenwood Nature Preserve.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
In 2024, the Institute for Quality of Life ranked Minneapolis as the top city in the United States for quality of life, applauding its mobility, parks, and affordability. This is reflected on Walkscore.com, where Minneapolis ranks high in walkability, bikeability, and transit, thanks to the city’s accessible buses and light-rail transit. The city is also famously known for its volume of outdoor spaces, such as the Mississippi River running through its downtown, 180 parks, 22 lakes, and 55 miles of walking and cycling paths, including those at Gold Medal Park and Mill Ruins Park downtown.
In terms of affordability, life in Minneapolis is not quite as affordable as cities like Fort Wayne, but there is still plenty of room to save. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the median selling price of US homes was $419,200. Comparatively, in February 2025, Minneapolis' median selling price was lower, at $330,000.
Duluth, Minnesota
About 150 miles northeast of Minneapolis, Duluth is a smaller and quieter Minnesota city offering even greater savings. In February 2025, the city’s median home price was listed at $299.9K while the median selling price was even lower, at $256.7K. Despite being a fraction of the size of Minneapolis, Duluth also provides a diverse job market, with thriving sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, government, and hospitality. The city’s setting on Lake Superior is where tourism is at its peak, attracting summer crowds to shores like the Park Point Recreation Area. Other attractions like the Duluth Lakewalk and Canal Park are a year-round delight, connecting locals to the breathtaking Great Lake.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Returning to New England, families and retirees may appreciate the peace of mind that comes with living in safe, close-knit towns like Cape Elizabeth. In 2024, SafeHome.org found Maine to have the “nation’s lowest violent crime rate,” with Cape Elizabeth standing out for having one of the lowest violent crime rates in the state. That same year, USA Today Readers voted Cape Elizabeth the runner-up “Best Coastal Small Town” in the country, praising its picturesque seascapes and state parks. Granting access to Crescent Beach State Park, Kettle Cove State Park, and Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth is a dream for those who love coastal recreation. While the cost of living here is fairly high, if it fits your budget, the natural beauty and security are well worth the investment.
Find Your Perfect Home in the Northern USA in 2025
The Northern United States is a stunning and diverse region, celebrated for its breathtaking Great Lakes, stunning Pacific Coast, and some of the nation’s most iconic cities. However, life here is far from one-size-fits-all. Young professionals might be drawn to the vibrant energy of bustling cities like Ann Arbor, while retirees may find solace in the charming, slower-paced towns of New England, such as Burlington. Similarly, while towns like Cape Elizabeth captivate with their stunning coastal views, families often seek a balance between affordability and quality of life, making river cities like Minneapolis appealing alternatives. Ultimately, what may be perfect for one person could be entirely different for another; discovering your ideal place to call home hinges on understanding and prioritizing your unique needs and lifestyle.
