15 Best U.S. Cities to Move to in 2026 (Affordable, Safe & Great for Families)

Denver? thriving? Thriving with crime. And so crowded massively expensive.

Tbh every single one on this list absolutely wins over the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. We have been overwhelmed with illegals and our once beautiful country has been completely destroyed.

Goodyear Buckeye and Queen Creek Arizona.

I've lived in Tampa my whole life. And while everything said in this video is mostly true, I feel it's a bit cherry picked and overlooks some issues that could heavily turn away some people.

1) Our traffic is atrocious no matter what time of day.
2) There's a lot of gang activity, especially around the USF and Ybor City areas.
3) The homeless population is honestly out of control with seemingly no solution in sight.
4) We're not a particularly friendly or welcoming bunch. The whole "southern hospitality" thing kinda starts ending at the Georgia border and by the time you get to Tamps, we're out of it.
5} Politics. I won't get into all that but needless to say, the state as a whole leans very heavily towards one side of the political spectrum. Even the cities.
6) Hurricanes (and storms in general) are coming more frequently, and with more intensity.
7) Alligators. Yes we have them. Yes they're practically everywhere. And yes they will eat your poodle if you're not careful. Be warned.

Bro had me until Tampa

SUMMARY by Gemini:

The video "15 Best U.S. Cities to Move to in 2026 (Affordable, Safe & Great for Families)" highlights cities that offer a balance of affordability, strong job markets, and high quality of life for families and professionals. The narrator emphasizes that while many people feel priced out of major cities, there are still opportunities in other areas across the U.S. (0:00-0:52).

Here's a breakdown of some of the top cities mentioned:

• Des Moines, Iowa (1:12): This city is highlighted for its low cost of living, with a median home price around $235,000, and a strong job market in insurance and financial services (1:25-2:06). It offers a vibrant downtown, good schools, and a strong community feel (2:09-2:49).
• Spokane, Washington (3:13): Spokane offers the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest without the high costs of Seattle or Portland, with a median home price of about $420,000 (3:21-3:46). It's praised for its outdoor recreation, revitalized downtown, and growing healthcare sector (3:57-4:47).
• Columbus, Ohio (5:27): This city is presented as a dynamic mid-size option with an affordable median home price of $285,000 and a thriving job market in tech and various industries (5:45-6:35). It boasts a vibrant arts scene, diverse cuisine, and family-friendly suburbs (6:42-7:27).
• Madison, Wisconsin (8:12): Known as one of the "happiest cities in America," Madison offers natural beauty, a strong economy anchored by the University of Wisconsin, and a progressive culture (8:14-9:12). The median home price is around $390,000, offering good value for its excellent schools and low crime rates (9:25-9:41).
• Charleston, South Carolina (10:44): While more expensive with a median home price of $510,000, Charleston attracts residents with its historic charm, world-class food scene, and beautiful beaches (10:47-12:13). Its job market has diversified into tech, aerospace, and healthcare (12:21-12:34).
• Huntsville, Alabama (13:36): Dubbed "Rocket City," Huntsville is a hub for aerospace and high-tech industries, offering high-paying jobs with a remarkably low cost of living, including a median home price around $285,000 (13:57-14:39). It also features a revitalized downtown and strong STEM education (14:43-15:13).
• Boise, Idaho (16:15): Boise is highlighted for its outdoor access, low crime, and strong economy, with a median home price of $480,000 (16:22-17:01). The city's downtown has undergone significant transformation, and its job market is diversifying with tech startups (17:28-18:11).
• Durham, North Carolina (19:12): As part of the Research Triangle, Durham offers a robust job market in healthcare, biotech, and education, with a median home price around $380,000 (19:35-20:19). It's known for its thriving arts scene, exceptional food, and diverse community (20:21-21:15).
• Portland, Maine (22:14): This small city offers a charming waterfront, thriving food scene, and stunning natural surroundings, though it's more expensive with a median home price around $485,000 (22:16-22:40). It attracts those seeking a strong sense of place, outdoor recreation, and a progressive culture (22:49-24:16).
• Raleigh, North Carolina (25:01): Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live, Raleigh offers strong job growth, excellent schools, and a moderate cost of living with a median home price around $390,000 (25:03-25:39). Its economy is driven by technology and research, and it boasts a vibrant downtown and diverse food scene (25:51-26:54).
• Fort Worth, Texas (28:08): Fort Worth provides the economic benefits of the DFW Metroplex—strong job market, no state income tax—with a more manageable cost of living, including a median home price around $310,000 (28:21-28:58). It's known for its blend of cowboy culture and modern urbanism (29:22-30:02).
• Charlotte, North Carolina (31:30): As a major banking center, Charlotte offers strong economic power with a more manageable cost of living; the median home price is around $360,000 (31:33-32:15). It boasts impressive infrastructure, a booming job market, and excellent suburban options for families (32:41-33:40).
• Denver, Colorado (34:59): Denver attracts people seeking mountain access, outdoor adventure, and a thriving economy, though it is more expensive with a median home price around $585,000 (35:02-35:37). It is praised for its sunny weather, extensive parks, and diverse economy (35:48-36:15).
• Austin, Texas (38:36): Austin continues to be a magnet for talent and culture, with a major tech center and a median home price around $525,000 (38:39-39:48). It's known as the "live music capital of the world," with an exceptional food scene and outdoor lifestyle (40:04-40:51).
• Tampa, Florida (42:45): Ranked as the number one place to move, Tampa offers a balanced, livable, and opportunity-rich environment with a median home price around $385,000 (42:47-43:29). It benefits from no state income tax, an exploding job market in finance and tech, and an exceptional quality of life with access to beaches (43:34-44:50).

Well, we all know what happened in Charlotte, so that's out of the question.

I am going to live somewhere in the us that's safe has low crime friendly people good local markets ...lots of construction work and good food

Everything will be alright....

thank you for giving me an idea

I love Austin

What a crock. As soon as my city was described I learned this person has no idea what they're talking about.

Naperville, IL & Ann Arbor, MI

This list seems backwards ngl

Tampa gets too many hurricanes.

I am living in Slovenia. You can have a very good life , while making only 2k. The minimal wage is 1200

De Moines great but very cold winters and tornados

Yeah man I'll pay an extra 9% to not live in iowa lmao

You need timestamps. Won't even watch this now

Fairmont ,W.V. very economic and safe..

Safety first.

Some of your footage of Huntsville AL is of Birmingham AL.

I had to laugh when he said Raleigh NC house cost. Only if it is a tiny home or apartment

Not Spokane

Yall are really lazy,Birmingham skyline looks nothing like Huntsville skyline,come on folks

Colombus Ojio has super high crime rate 🔫

Des Moines is in tornado alley. 🌪️

I've visited several American cities and your video helped me plan trips to others. Thank you for sharing.

Florida is full .. go elsewhere

I thought he said affordable? 300 to 600k is affordable?