What is a "liveable" city?  Cause you can live in any city and be just fine.  But these cities are the best cities to live in.

They aren't the biggest.  They aren't the smallest.  They are the ones that have the perfect combination of everything to make them the most liveable in America.

For people living in this Iowa town, it shouldn't surprise them that they are in the Top 5 in the country.

I Thought Iowa Was Just Farmland

American Countryside Corn Field With Stormy Sky
Maksymowicz
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Yes we take pride in our farms.  In fact, Iowa is 85% farmland.  That's 30.5 million acres of farmland.  We're feeding America!

So it also shouldn't be a surprise that one of the most liveable cities in America is in the middle of farmland and an epicenter for the business of farming.

READ MORE:  10 REASONS PEOPLE ARE WRONG WHEN THEY SAY DON'T MOVE TO IOWA.

The Top 5 Most Liveable Cities In America

Middle aged man meeting smiling female neighbor in countryside and talking cheerfully to her over fence
Comeback Images
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Rentcafe.com took 17 key metrics to find the top liveable cities in America.  Only 1 of the top 5 is NOT in the Midwest.  To us Midwesterners this isn't surprising.  We know it's the best here.  But, the number one most liveable is on the coast.

1 - Portland, Maine takes the crown as the most livable US metro area. There is a slightly higher cost of living (10% higher than the national average) but according to Rentcafe, It offers great education and sports opportunities, steady income growth, and diverse healthcare providers.

2 - Lincoln, Nebraska has a cost of living 6% below the national average and is the number 2 location and community spirit.

4 - Minneapolis-St. Paul.  The only "large" city in the top 5.  The Twin Cities shine in both quality of life (#14) and socioeconomics (#15), boasting over 30 colleges and universities, and a cost of living 6% below the national average.

5 - Ann Arbor Michigan.  Besides its relaxed vibe (#2 for quality of life) and charming community (#17 for location and community), the Ann Arbor metro area has plenty of sports facilities.

The Iowa City Ranked Number 3 Most Liveable In America

Des Moines, Iowa - center of insurance industry in US
Tashka
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Welcome to Des Moines Iowa.  Rentcafe says it's, "A hotspot for cultural festivals, it offers plenty of healthy food sources and a focus on sustainability. It claims #1 in location and community and #12 in the socioeconomics category, with a cost of living 12% below the national average.

They say it's perfect for families who love outdoor activities and young professionals looking to mix business with leisure.

For those living in Des Moines, it's not a surprise.  Many Millennials are moving to Des Moines.  It's become a hot spot.  And Iowa's secret liveable city might not be secret much longer.

LOOK: Where people in Iowa are moving to most

Stacker compiled a list of states where people from Iowa are moving to the most using data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

Best scenic drives in Iowa

It's time to hit the road—Stacker compiled a list of the best scenic drives in Iowa using data from Tripadvisor as of March 2024.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

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