With an ever-increasing cost of living in America, tariff price hikes and an uncertain labor market, it can often feel like city living simply isn’t cost-effective for the American middle class.
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However, as GOBankingRates recently discovered, there are a number of livable cities for middle-class families throughout the United States. To determine this, it’s first important to define the middle class: an income bracket in which the minimum household income is $51,813 and the maximum household income is $155,438. To determine the cities in which families on that income spectrum could comfortably live, GOBankingRates researched livability indexes via AreaVibes, as well as income levels, population and housing prices via the U.S. Census American Community Survey, all to find the 25 most livable cities for middle-class families in America.
Does your city make the top 25? Are you looking for livable city for your middle-class family? Look no further.
1. Worthington, Ohio
- Livability: 94
- Annual cost of living: $66,173
- Median household income: $124,734
This suburb of Columbus tops the livability list, even if Worthington’s average single family home value of $495,581 is considerably higher than the national average of $363,932 (per Zillow).
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2. Grandview Heights, Ohio
- Livability: 94
- Annual cost of living: $71,064
- Median household income: $113,862
Suprisingly, Grandview Heights has even higher single family average home values ($575,491) than Worthington, and yet both are tied on the livability scale.
3. Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
- Livability: 94
- Annual cost of living: $71,799
- Median household income: $114,306
Founded in 1697, the small Jenkintown is home not only to affordable lifestyles for the middle class, but to a wealth of historic architecture.
4. University Heights, Ohio
- Livability: 93
- Annual cost of living: $49,427
- Median household income: $98,474
Not only is University Heights quite livable, but its single family home average value of $274,376 is well below the national average of $363,932.
5. Pittsford, New York
- Livability: 93
- Annual cost of living: $68,021
- Median household income: $136,429
Anyone looking for a small-town feel will be quite at home in Pittsford, which has a population of only 1,702 residents.
6. Ardmore, Pennsylvania
- Livability: 93
- Annual cost of living: $70,865
- Median household income: $115,273
In addition to 14,165 residents, Ardmore is home to one of America’s very first shopping centers — the Suburban Square, which opened in 1928.
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7. Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
- Livability: 93
- Annual cost of living: $75,840
- Median household income: $154,255
While Whitefish Bay remains one of the most livable cities for the middle class, the average value of a single family home ($630,581) can make home ownership there rather costly.
8. Jerome, Illinois
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $42,976
- Median household income: $55,777
Not only does Jerome have one of the lowest populations of the cities represented here (with just 1,910 citizens), average home values are extremely affordable for middle-class residents, as well. The average single family home value there is just $155,714.
9. Bellevue, Kentucky
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $49,210
- Median household income: $67,143
Bellevue faced a serious economic decline in the 1980s, but has since rebounded thanks to preservation efforts — the city received historic designation in 2004 as a Preserve America Community, in part because of its historic architecture and parks.
10. Clawson, Michigan
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $52,940
- Median household income: $86,630
This Detroit suburb grants residents access to the big-city living of the Motor City while allowing them to come home to the small-town vibes of an 11,314 population.
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11. Rochester, Minnesota
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $54,234
- Median household income: $87,767
Despite having the highest population of the 25 most livable cities for middle-class families (with a headcount of 121,638), Rochester’s housing is still rather affordable and slightly below the national average. The single family average home value there is only $340,455.
12. Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $55,987
- Median household income: $110,938
Camp Hill’s median household income of $110,938 is almost dead-center of the American middle class income range of $51,813 and $155,438.
13. Minerva Park, Ohio
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $55,992
- Median household income: $125,802
While the average single family home value of $351,674 in Minerva Park is nearly on par with the national average of $363,932, the town’s population is surprisingly low with only 2,095 residents.
14. Ankeny, Iowa
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $56,357
- Median household income: $106,603
Despite having nearly the same single family home average value and cost of living as Minerva Park, Ankeny has a far higher population of 70,542 citizens.
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15. Bexley, Ohio
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $70,125
- Median household income: $152,526
Bexley might be highly-ranked in terms of middle-class livability, but at $564,448, it’s single family home average value is $200,000 over the national average value.
16. Shorewood, Wisconsin
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $70,955
- Median household income: $89,135
It’s no shocker that Shorewood is tied with Bexley on the list of livable cities for the middle class, as its single famly home average values are also $200,000 above the national average of $363,932.
17. Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $75,014
- Median household income: $119,038
Pompton Lakes doesn’t just offer middle-class livability, it also features high-end views of lakes, beaches and the New York City skyline.
18. Sherwood, Oregon
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $79,151
- Median household income: $110,616
Sherwood, Oregon has the second-highest single family home average value of the 25 most livable cities for the middle class. At $647,967, that town’s average home value is $284,000 higher than the national average.
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19. Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
- Livability: 92
- Annual cost of living: $101,273
- Median household income: $87,218
While the single family home average value might be high in Sherwood, Oregon, it’s got nothing on the average value in Bryn Mawr, which is a whopping $984,542 — that’s nearly $621,000 more than the American average.
20. Bluffton, Ohio
- Livability: 91
- Annual cost of living: $48,189
- Median household income: $77,382
At $48,189, Bluffton, Ohio has some of the lowest cost of living out of any city in the top 25.
21. Lynchburg, Virginia
- Livability: 91
- Annual cost of living: $49,321
- Median household income: $59,808
Regardless of its rather sizable population of 79,255, Lynchburg boasts a very affordable home value of $262,866.
22. Ames, Iowa
- Livability: 91
- Annual cost of living: $54,487
- Median household income: $60,102
Yes, Ames is livable for the middle class, but potential residents should note the rather thin margin between its median household income ($60,102) and its not-far-off annual cost of living ($54,487).
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23. Berkley, Michigan
- Livability: 91
- Annual cost of living: $54,968
- Median household income: $113,103
Small population (15,084), affordable housing averages ($311,085) and a healthy gap between the cost of living and the median household income are all reasons why Berkley is a haven for middle-class living.
24. Fort Thomas, Kentucky
- Livability: 91
- Annual cost of living: $56,563
- Median household income: $100,819
Fort Thomas has the nickname of “city of beautiful homes” thanks to its historic architecture. Speaking of history, the city takes its name from the fact that it was built around a former American army post.
25. Farmington, Michigan
- Livability: 91
- Annual cost of living: $57,166
- Median household income: $94,115
Farmington, Michigan’s household income might not be record-breaking, but the cost of living is low, the population is modest and home costs are relatively inexpensive — everything needed to make a town comfortably home to the middle class.
Photo disclaimer: Imagery is representational and does not necessarily depict exact location listed.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the most livable cities for middle-class families across America. PewResearchCenter defines middle class as two thirds to double the national median household income, and using the national median household income from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, the middle class income range was calculated. Using AreaVibes, all locations with a livability index of 90 or higher were identified, as they represent the most livable cities with the highest quality of life. The places with a median household income within the middle-class income range, as well as having data available from all sources, were kept for this study. Using the U.S. Census American Community Survey, the total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, median household income, and mean household income were sourced for each location. The cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces and by using the national average expenditure costs for a family of four, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for a married couple with children (oldest 6 to 17), the average expenditure costs can be calculated for each city. The single family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index and by assuming a 10% downpayment, and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated for each city. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living for necessities can be calculated. The cities were sorted to show the most livable cities first, and showing the cheapest cities first when locations’ livability is tied. All data was up to date as of Oct. 22, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 25 Most Livable Cities for Middle-Class Families
