Each year, Livability publishes a research-based Top 100 Best Places to Live in America. The list is based on more than 50 data points and examines more than 2,000 cities to rank the best places to live in the U.S. Highlighted here are the top places to live in the Midwest. Each of these cities has something special to offer — read on to find out what.
The Midwest is affectionately — and accurately — called America’s Heartland. It’s known for its assortment of small towns with deep roots and down-to-earth attitudes and an assortment of industrial and agricultural pursuits intermingling. But don’t let this nostalgic description fool you. You can find everything you want here in the heart of the country. From water sports on the Great Lakes to the architecturally awe-inspiring streets of Chicago, everyone can find something to love in the Midwest.
Also see: The best affordable little cities to live in America
1. Carmel, Ind.
Carmel, a suburb of Indianapolis, is home to more than 700 acres of parks and greenways.
Shutterstock
Great schools and access to jobs and healthcare make Carmel, Ind., one of the best places to live in the Midwest. Located just north of Indianapolis, Carmel offers a slightly slower lifestyle for daily life with all the amenities of a midsize city nearby.
A thriving arts scene means Carmel residents don’t have to go far for cultural enrichment. The Center for the Performing Arts is a three-venue, world-class performing-arts center home to the Palladium Concert Hall and two additional theaters, the Tarkington and Studio Theater, where residents can catch plays, concerts and other performances. It is also home to the Great American Songbook Foundation, an affiliate of the Grammy Museum.
With one of the highest safety scores, Carmel is a comfortable and relaxed place to raise a family. Well-regulated traffic and bike and walking paths make it a safe place to be out and about, and, despite its relatively small size, Carmel has more than 700 acres of parks and greenways to explore and enjoy. Carmel is also home to the legendary Monon Bike Trail. This railroad-turned-trail spans central Indiana for nearly 30 miles and is an off-the-beaten-path way to explore the region.
This Midwest municipality shines in the warmer months but does not go into hibernation, with festivals, a winter farmers market, and a conscious effort made citywide to keep residents active and engaged year-round.
2. Overland Park, Kan.
Amenity-rich Overland Park, Kan.
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While it’s long been considered a gateway to Kansas City, there’s much worth sticking around for in Overland Park, Kan., which has best-in-class youth sports venues, delicious barbecue, a growing brewery scene, a love for the arts and some beautiful gardens.
A combination of safe neighborhoods, nationally ranked schools, and strong healthcare and wellness options make Overland Park one of the best places to live in the Midwest. The economy is also robust in Overland Park, with many job options across several sectors. For example, T-Mobile
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which recently acquired Sprint, is one of the biggest employers in Overland Park.
Residents have all kinds of fun things to do in their downtime, from enjoying dinner and a show at the New Theatre & Restaurant to shopping for fruits, veggies, fresh-baked bread and jams at the Overland Park Farmers Market and playing simulated golf games at TopGolf. Feeling crafty? Shop for plants and paint a pot for it to live in at Creative Culture, a DIY craft studio and over-the-top milkshake bar where you can turn your Pinterest board into something tangible.
Overland Park also has tons of parks. In fact, you could go to a new park every weekend and still not cover them all. But one of the favorites is Roe Park, which has a large playground with a splash pad and lighted tennis courts. Consider buying an annual membership to the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, where you’ll want to be a regular. You can slip away into a 300-acre oasis of gardens, ponds, trails, wide-open prairie, and sculpture and play areas. The arboretum hosts all kinds of cool events, like bird walks, wildflower walks, plant sales, seedling giveaways, wine tastings and a “Botanical Brewfest.”
One more thing: With the Kansas City Chiefs being the reigning Super Bowl champs, there’s a palpable team spirit in these parts. New residents will definitely want to pick up some red-and-gold gear at Scheels or Made in KC.
See: Kansas City Chiefs ticket sales and searches have tripled since Taylor Swift became a fan, StubHub says
3. Fishers, Ind.
The Fishers, Ind., population has been growing 2% annually of late.
Derek Jensen/Wikipedia CC2.5
You’ll be hard-pressed not to be charmed by Fishers, Ind., a thriving suburb of Indy, and one of the best places to live in the Midwest. With a rapidly growing population (increasing roughly 2% every year), Fishers is a city to watch over the next few years and decades.
Be sure to read: The fastest-growing American cities are also some of the places with the worst climate-change effects
“I think Fishers is so special because it has such a variety of amenities: a family looking for things to do, a solo adventure, if you are looking for a girls’ night, a guys’ getaway — there is a really diverse amount of attractions and dining,” says Gabriella Blauert, communications manager for Visit Hamilton County.
In Fishers, you can experience big-city entertainment amenities — like the Nickel Plate District, which has a ton of restaurants, breweries and live entertainment — but live in an area with an astoundingly low crime rate. According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, there were only 77 instances of violent crime in all of 2021, and the crime rate is 5.2 times lower than the national average.
In addition to infrequent crime, Fishers has a commitment to developing a healthy community with programs like WeCare, which provides free fall-prevention home audits for seniors.
Even celebrities are invested in Fishers community health: The Peyton Manning Children’s Outpatient Center at St. Vincent Fishers offers specialty pediatric care.
If you’re looking to grow your career and make your next steps, the business community in Fishers can’t be topped, thanks to its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Launch Fishers, for instance, is a 52,000-square-foot co-working space for entrepreneurs and creators with more than 600 members, making it the largest in the Midwest. And Hub & Spoke is a 94,000-square-foot, master-planned, mixed-use development and partnership with the city that includes a design center with retail showrooms, plus a maker space and co-working facilities.
Also see: Good schools, great scenery and more: 10 of the best places to live in the Southeast U.S.
4. Naperville, Ill.
Naperville, Ill., is a western suburb of Chicago and lies 30 minutes from the Loop by express commuter rail.
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Naperville, Ill., is often considered one of the best places to live in the Midwest, and it’s not hard to see why. This charming suburb of Chicago has all the hallmarks of a great community: top-notch schools (seriously, they are among the best in Illinois), an excellent safety record (it was recently named the safest city in America) and quite literally one of the best libraries in the entire country. Locals also can boast a highly rated hospital, so you won’t typically need to head into the big city to receive an excellent standard of care.
But what makes Naperville stand out from the rest of the small towns and suburbs around the country is its commitment to community and voluntarism. One of the most beloved areas of Naperville — the Riverwalk, a two-mile stretch of gorgeous trails and event spaces alongside the DuPage River — was actually developed by volunteers. Various community get-togethers and festivals, like farmers markets and concerts, keep residents connected. In addition, the city of just under 150,000 provides a perfect mix of big-city attractions and small-town magic, and the cost of living is lower than in much of the nearby Windy City.
Getting around is easy. Naperville residents have access to both a bus service and commuter trains. In addition, O’Hare International, Midway International, DuPage and Aurora Municipal airports are all reasonably close by if your travels take you further from home.
5. Troy, Mich.
Troy, Mich., is a vibrant suburb of Detroit, located approximately 24 miles to the northwest. The dozens of major companies that are based there (such as J.D. Power & Associates and ThyssenKrupp
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) help boost the local economy and keep the unemployment and tax rates down. Troy is also known for its excellent city services, good quality of life, affordability and a plethora of outdoor resources — all of which justify Troy’s ranking among the best places to live in the Midwest.
Troy was named after its namesake in New York state and, indirectly, after the ancient city of Troy. It’s a great place to start a family, thanks to the highly rated schools, including a standout fine-arts program, along with a college and branches of several universities. Not to mention that Troy was voted the safest city in Michigan and the 19th safest city in the whole country.
Check out: Five college towns worth staying put in after graduation
The city is a dreamland for the outdoorsy type, with lakes, streams, trees, two golf courses, a nature center, a skate park, disc golf, tennis and basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, play and picnic areas, and a thousand acres of parks. But those who feel more at home indoors won’t feel left out, either. The retail heaven that is Troy includes a 1.4 million–square–foot shopping and dining empire known as the Somerset Collection.
6. Olathe, Kan.
Olathe, Kan., is the fourth most populous city in its state.
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Steeped in rich Western history, Olathe, Kan., has always been a city with a pioneering spirit. A major stop on the Santa Fe Trail in the 19th century, Olathe made its mark as a place to create (cowboy boots were quite literally invented here). Today, it’s one of the best places to live in the Midwest, where entrepreneurs flock thanks to programs like GrowOlathe — an initiative that helps young businesses get technical assistance to help them flourish. As one of the hottest spots in the Midwest, the city promotes “economic gardening,” giving local businesses the technical assistance needed to grow.
Beyond business, Olathe has bragging rights to a highly educated workforce (about 50.2% of Olathe citizens have a college degree), a stellar public-school system and a hospital that continually gets accolades. In fact, Olathe Medical Center was named one of the top 100 hospitals in 2021.
But Olathe isn’t all work and no play. The city is named for the Shawnee word for beautiful, and its gorgeous rolling hills and other scenery help Olathe live up to its moniker. In addition to its many amenities and attractions to keep residents entertained, Olathe has a low crime rate.
Related: 6 charming small towns close to big-city action
Olathe is also the fourth-largest city in Kansas, and since 2000 its population has nearly doubled. Still, residents here have fostered a tight-knit community and created an open and welcoming place to live.
7. Bloomington, Minn.
The Japanese Garden at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minn.
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You’ll find everything you need in Bloomington, Minn. There’s, of course, the Mall of America, in whose 5.6 million square feet so you can shop till you drop (plus learn how crayons are made, navigate a maze of mirrors and ride roller coasters). But, as one of the best places to live in the Midwest, Bloomington also has A+ schools, fantastic healthcare, unrivaled parks and some unexpected gems, like a peaceful Japanese garden and a ski hill with a snowmaker that makes fresh powder so you can hit the slopes in the winter.
And, because Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, there are plenty of places to enjoy waters sports and maritime activities. Visit Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun for fishing or swimming. Prefer to stay on dry land? Bloomington has many bike paths, public parks and several golf courses.
Bloomington is also a close-knit community where residents practice what they preach. This is a place that values diversity and inclusion. A few years ago, the city hired a full-time racial equality coordinator.
Check out: 5 unforgettable towns for a winter getaway
There are plenty of jobs in Bloomington, too, as the region is a hub for corporate headquarters. The Twin Cities area as a whole is home to some 15 Fortune 500 companies including Target
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Best Buy
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Land O’ Lakes and General Mills
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And an international airport means it’s easy for business travelers to make weekly commutes and others to use up their PTO.
8. Rochester Hills, Mich.
The Red House in Rochester Hills, Mich., dates to the 1850s.
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Located 30 miles north of Detroit, Rochester Hills is considered a big-city suburb but with a much calmer, safer and more outdoor-centric vibe. With a population of around 76,000, Rochester Hills is the 14th largest city in Michigan. A low crime rate and the strength of the Avondale and Rochester school districts make it a family-friendly town, and the majority of residents own their own homes. Medical care is also top-notch, with many hospitals located near Rochester Hills. Add to that the endless variety of activities, and it’s no wonder that Rochester Hills is one of the best places to live in the Midwest.
There is plenty to do there, no matter what your idea of fun might be. Watch a concert, show or sporting event at the Meadowbrook Amphitheatre. Play golf on one of several courses or immerse yourself in nature at one of the many parks. Take in some history at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm or at the old-timey water-powered Yates Cider Mill. Or find something you can’t live without at the Village of Rochester Hills, a 375,000-square-foot outdoor shopping district with a downtown-like feel.
Read: We want culture, dining and wilderness in areas with homes for $300,000 — so where should we retire?
9. Evanston, Ill.
Northwestern University is an anchor of Evanston, Ill.
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Evanston, Ill., is the perfect suburb for people who think they don’t like suburbs. With classic architecture, arts venues, a fantastic food scene and loads of outdoor activities, it offers the best of city life in a relaxed suburban community. With Northwestern University — one of the top universities in the U.S. — at its core, Evanston draws an intellectual crowd. And, yet, with so many amenities, this city of almost 77,000 offers something for everyone. It’s no wonder Evanston is one of the top places to live in the Midwest.
Directly adjacent to the Rogers Park neighborhood in the Windy City, and linked to Chicago by both city rapid transit and regional commuter rail, Evanstonians have an easy commute to one of the U.S.’s most bustling big cities. The town’s location on the shores of Lake Michigan means that, when warm weather hits, lake breezes and access to five gorgeous beaches are there to moderate matters. While the university’s mix of traditional and Modernist architecture and its lakefront campus are stunning, so are the 76 municipal parks that offer accessible outdoor activities.
Although riding the L or Metra into Chicago for dinner is convenient, foodies don’t need to leave Evanston to find a great meal. In fact, in 2019, Thrillist named Evanston one of “The Country’s Best Suburbs for People Who Love Food.” Food options range from casual joints like the Evanston Chicken Shack to the chic the Barn Steakhouse. Interestingly, Evanston was a dry town until 1972. Now, it’s home to numerous hip bars, including the popular Temperance Beer Co., whose name is a cheeky nod to the town’s previous no-alcohol status.
Arts and culture are easily accessible, as you’d expect in a college town in the Chicago area. There are fantastic music venues all over Evanston, like Space, an intimate music hall featuring various genres.
Also see: I live in the South and don’t want to retire here. I’m seeking four seasons, diversity and outdoor living. Where should I retire?
10. Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Downtown is one of the prime draws of Lee’s Summit, Mo.
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The charming downtown graced by revitalized historic buildings, murals and sculptures, and unique stores, cafés and restaurants is just one of the many reasons Lee’s Summit, Mo., is one of the best places to live in the Midwest. The city has a friendly, small-town feel with traditional suburban neighborhoods for families and an active downtown with denser housing options near a bustling Main Street. Together, these give Lee’s Summit an urban energy and suburban sensibility that is hard to beat.
See: Six towns worth visiting for their historic downtowns
Lee’s Summit is attractive for young families and professionals looking to start a family thanks to its high marks in education. The Lee’s Summit R-7 School District is one of Missouri’s largest and most highly regarded school districts. In addition, the schools and local hospitals are some of the largest employers in the area, and locals have easy access to top-notch care.
With Kansas City nearby, residents have reasonable commute times and access to bigger-city amenities. But there is plenty to do in town. Lee’s Summit has abundant recreational opportunities, including access to several lakes, parks and wildlife areas. In recent years, the community’s downtown has been revitalized and helped foster a strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere. Ranging from Fourth Friday Art Walks to fishing, ATV riding and boating, Lee’s Summit might be the place for you, no matter your interests.
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