The "best" place to live will vary from person to person based on their individual preferences, needs, and lifestyle choices.

While I would consider the best place somewhere in Wrigleyville where I can walk to Cubs games, others may prefer a quieter suburban or rural setting closer to Naperville.

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Some would say the "best place" is anywhere outside the Illinois state borders, but it ultimately depends on what aspects of life are most important to an individual or a family.

Here are the Best Places to Live in America

Every year, Money.com presents its list of Top 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S., and in their latest ranking, 9 of the cities that made the list are in the Midwest.

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Scores for each town was based on "economic opportunities, quality of life, diversity, and where the best futures lie."

Before we get to those towns, here are Money's Top 3 Best Places to Live in the U.S.

1. Atlanta, Georgia

According to Money, the reason Atlanta topped the list was partially due to the city having a "world-class botanical garden, four professional sports teams and one of the largest visual art museums in the U.S. — the High Museum of Art (or “The High”)."

2. Tempe, Arizona

Money.com gave a high ranking to Tempe because of "its active arts and culture scene, relative affordability and myriad employment opportunities in education, finance, health care and tech."

3. Kirkland, Washington

Kirkland is one of the best cities in America and according to Money.com, a "quarter of the city’s lakefront is accessible via public parks," where locals can "bike along paved paths on the lakefront, hike through wooded forestlands, picnic on sandy beaches or bird watch from boardwalks."

What Illinois and Wisconsin Towns Rank Best Place to Live in the U.S.?

The 5th Best Place to Live in America is located in Illinois. According to Money, it's the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Rogers Park is known as the most diverse neighborhood in Chicago, which itself is one of the most diverse cities in the country, and the result is truly something special. Residents often rave about the neighborhood’s multiculturalism and cite that as the foundation of what makes Rogers Park such a unique place. -Money.com

Money says that Rogers Park residents are "typically younger and more likely to have a college degree compared to Chicago overall."

Naperville, Illinois is ranked the 16th best place to live in the U.S.

Besides begin one of the Best Places to Live in the U.S., Naperville has also been named "best place to be a kid by the U.S. Census Bureau, the best place to raise a family by the education site Niche and one of AARP’s top ten towns for seniors."

Madison, Wisconsin ranked 40th on Money's list of Best Places to Live in the U.S.

Some other Midwestern cities on the list of Best Places to Live in the U.S. include:

  • Ann Arbor, Michigan (8)
  • Carmel, Indiana (19)
  • Kirkland, Missouri (36)
  • Coralville, Iowa (48)
  • Jeffersonville, Indiana (49)

To see all 50 of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. from Money.com, CLICK HERE.

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