2 Chicago suburbs named in new list of ‘Best Places to Live in U.S.’ in 2026

Two Chicago suburbs were named on a new list of the best places to live in the U.S. in 2026.

In the annual “best places to live” report from ranking website Livability, a northern suburb and a western suburb were both named among the top 20 places to live in the U.S.

“Our 2026 list highlights the small- to mid-sized cities where your paycheck goes further, your commute is shorter and your quality of life comes first,” the publication wrote.

The ranking looked at more than 100 factors across more than 2,000 cities when compiling its list, including things like housing and affordability, amenities and environment, safety, health, education and transportation. Extra weight was given to the category of housing and cost of living as the publication said “we recognize that Americans face a higher cost of living than ever before.”

Cities included in the list had median home values under $500,000 and populations between 75,000 and 500,000 people.

“If it isn’t attainable, it isn’t on our list,” Livability wrote.

While no Illinois city took the top spot on the list, Naperville ranked in the top five, coming in at No. 4. Evanston followed at No. 13.

It marks the second list to name Naperville among the “best places to live in the U.S.,” with a recent ranking from Niche also dubbing the suburb among the top.

Other Midwest cities also made the cut, including Carmel, Indiana, at No. 2; Troy, Michigan, at No. 7; and Bloomington, Minnesota, at No. 18.

The top spot on the list was Huntsville, Alabama.

See the full ranking here.