Best Places to Live for Families

Even before the pandemic, loneliness was commonplace, with its effects felt across roughly half the U.S. population, especially among young people and caregivers. It’s a strong predictor of poor physical and mental health outcomes and early mortality. Strong support systems are imperative. The cities ranked in this year’s edition of the Fortune 50 Best Places to Live for Families share a range of qualities that can act as antidotes to loneliness. In our analysis of nearly 1,900 cities across the country, the best places to live scored high on assets like health care, education, and resources for seniors—all of which can help fight isolation and build social ties. For the first time, this year’s list highlights the best place to live in each of the 50 states. While some states—whether owing to certain laws or their political climate—may not meet everyone’s needs, the list provides people a wide range of options across the U.S. from which they can find a place to call home.