Not all American neighborhoods aren’t created equal.
Some are better than others.
But which ones?
Instead of relying on public opinion and speculation, we wanted to get the facts straight and used Saturday Night Science to find out which neighborhoods are the best.
Turns out the Battery Park neighborhood of New York is the best neighborhood where you can live in this country. The worst? Shelby Forest-Frayser in Memphis.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The Best Neighborhoods In The United States For 2023
- Battery Park, New York, NY
- Downtown, Jersey City, NJ
- Upper East Side, New York, NY
- Inner Sunset, San Francisco, CA
- North Sutton Area, New York, NY
- Noe Valley, San Francisco, CA
- Inner Richmond, San Francisco, CA
- Upper West Side, New York, NY
- North Center, Chicago, IL
- Outer Richmond, San Francisco, CA
So basically, downtown New York City has the best neighborhoods, if you can afford to live there.
Check out more about America here:
- Best Cities In The US To Raise A Family
- Best States In The United States
- Most Dangerous States In The United States
The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In America For 2023
/10
Population: 15,714
Median Home Value: $1,546,050
Median Income: $211,402
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 172
Property Crime Per 100k: 1,271
You might not be surprised to hear it, but almost every neighborhood on this list is in downtown New York City. The only problem? Itâs understandably hard to afford to live here.
In Battery Park, crime is very low, and homes are actually relatively affordable â at least more so than in most other âgreatâ downtown NYC neighborhoods.
/10
Population: 38,783
Median Home Value: $772,881
Median Income: $133,134
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 192
Property Crime Per 100k: 649
Across the Hudson from New York is the awesome neighborhood of Downtown Jersey City, where you get views of downtown NYC and much cheaper homes, too. For those who want low crime and affordability, plus the NYC metro area experience, this place is super.
/10
Population: 187,724
Median Home Value: $1,412,032
Median Income: $152,408
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 251
Property Crime Per 100k: 1,844
The television show âThe Jeffersonsâ made this neighborhood in downtown NYC a household name. If you wanted to move on up yourself and live on the Upper East Side, youâd better get in line and have a deep pocketbook.
/10
Population: 17,334
Median Home Value: $1,364,986
Median Income: $130,238
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 140
Property Crime Per 100k: 1,680
/10
Population: 17,279
Median Home Value: $763,965
Median Income: $147,814
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 114
Property Crime Per 100k: 872
In North Sutton Area, crime numbers are about the same as some of the other more posh NYC neighborhoods, but homes are the most expensive. The average home is more than a million bucks. Lots of people might argue that makes the neighborhood âlessâ desirable, and they might have a good point.
/10
Population: 16,095
Median Home Value: $1,714,572
Median Income: $185,103
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 129
Property Crime Per 100k: 1,764
/10
Population: 19,022
Median Home Value: $1,614,046
Median Income: $142,263
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 167
Property Crime Per 100k: 2,161
/10
Population: 209,387
Median Home Value: $1,520,156
Median Income: $137,257
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 300
Property Crime Per 100k: 2,013
The Upper West Side is the âevery manâsâ neighborhood in downtown New York. Those who canât afford the Upper East Side, but want the poshness that comes with a fancy downtown experience live here. Itâs packed, and for good reason.
Thatâs certainly a sign that thereâs demand to live here.
/10
Population: 20,512
Median Home Value: $661,838
Median Income: $133,268
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 203
Property Crime Per 100k: 1,503
/10
Population: 16,587
Median Home Value: $1,382,200
Median Income: $111,188
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 165
Property Crime Per 100k: 1,749
How We Determined The Best Neighborhoods In The US
To rank the best neighborhoods in America, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place to live. Most people like low crime, things to do, and a stable economy.
So, we used Saturday Night Science to research FBI crime and Census data. The following are the criteria we used:
- Population Density
- Unemployment Rates
- Median Income
- Home Prices
- Crime Rates
We ranked each neighborhood over 15,000 people from the 100 biggest cities in the United States — 749 neighborhoods to be exact.
For each criteria, we ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst. We then averaged the rankings to create a “Best Place To Live Index.” The neighborhood with the highest “Best Place To Live Index” was named the best neigborhood in the US.
We updated this report for 2023. This report is our tenth time ranking the best neighborhoods in America.
There You Have It — The Best Neighborhoods In The US
If you’re looking at best neighorhoods in the U.S. where crime is low, people are rich, and the public schools are awesome, this is an accurate list.
Here’s a look at the best neighborhoods in America according to the data:
- Shelby Forest-Frayser, Memphis
- Park, Stockton
- Parkway Village-Oakhaven, Memphis
Table: Best Neighborhoods To Live In The United States
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Home Value | Median Income | Crime Per 100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battery Park, New York, NY | 15,714 | $1,546,050 | $211,402 | 1,443 |
| 2 | Downtown, Jersey City, NJ | 38,783 | $772,881 | $133,134 | 841 |
| 3 | Upper East Side, New York, NY | 187,724 | $1,412,032 | $152,408 | 2,095 |
| 4 | Inner Sunset, San Francisco, CA | 17,334 | $1,364,986 | $130,238 | 1,820 |
| 5 | North Sutton Area, New York, NY | 17,279 | $763,965 | $147,814 | 986 |
| 6 | Noe Valley, San Francisco, CA | 16,095 | $1,714,572 | $185,103 | 1,893 |
| 7 | Inner Richmond, San Francisco, CA | 19,022 | $1,614,046 | $142,263 | 2,328 |
| 8 | Upper West Side, New York, NY | 209,387 | $1,520,156 | $137,257 | 2,313 |
| 9 | North Center, Chicago, IL | 20,512 | $661,838 | $133,268 | 1,706 |
| 10 | Outer Richmond, San Francisco, CA | 16,587 | $1,382,200 | $111,188 | 1,914 |
| 11 | Park Slope, New York, NY | 66,947 | $1,541,846 | $155,486 | 1,597 |
| 12 | Pacific Heights, San Francisco, CA | 19,649 | $1,749,956 | $172,749 | 3,204 |
| 13 | Downtown, New York, NY | 15,186 | $1,074,885 | $134,995 | 855 |
| 14 | Charlestown, Boston, MA | 19,678 | $742,385 | $123,289 | 1,947 |
| 15 | Middle Village, New York, NY | 34,717 | $725,579 | $89,872 | 1,156 |
| 16 | Potomac West, Alexandria, VA | 24,852 | $666,145 | $128,834 | 1,803 |
| 17 | University Park, Dallas, TX | 24,259 | $1,176,311 | $198,578 | 1,716 |
| 18 | West Park, Irvine, CA | 22,993 | $815,446 | $129,158 | 1,596 |
| 19 | West San Jose, San Jose, CA | 96,997 | $1,301,833 | $143,421 | 1,746 |
| 20 | Mar Vista, Los Angeles, CA | 36,353 | $1,249,943 | $102,786 | 1,545 |
| 21 | Bernal Heights, San Francisco, CA | 27,627 | $1,230,414 | $143,080 | 2,624 |
| 22 | Morningside Heights, New York, NY | 39,365 | $1,033,354 | $98,486 | 2,072 |
| 23 | Forest Hills, New York, NY | 72,632 | $580,702 | $94,597 | 1,195 |
| 24 | Cambrian Park, San Jose, CA | 70,045 | $1,139,062 | $145,893 | 1,816 |
| 25 | Au-Tenleytown, Washington, DC | 18,855 | $973,793 | $178,534 | 1,063 |
| 26 | Gramercy, New York, NY | 56,008 | $836,188 | $143,821 | 3,742 |
| 27 | Excelsior, San Francisco, CA | 25,088 | $900,731 | $86,292 | 2,068 |
| 28 | Tribeca, New York, NY | 21,871 | $1,862,334 | $205,908 | 5,929 |
| 29 | Outer Sunset, San Francisco, CA | 18,347 | $1,023,558 | $121,072 | 1,234 |
| 30 | Bay Ridge, New York, NY | 50,752 | $879,942 | $84,100 | 1,686 |
| 31 | Chelsea, New York, NY | 49,712 | $1,087,861 | $131,352 | 4,181 |
| 32 | Spuyten Duyvil, New York, NY | 16,320 | $359,578 | $110,042 | 1,660 |
| 33 | Lake View, Chicago, IL | 57,436 | $556,847 | $128,310 | 2,376 |
| 34 | Parkside, San Francisco, CA | 18,914 | $1,182,169 | $116,184 | 2,668 |
| 35 | Northwood, Irvine, CA | 22,218 | $798,725 | $111,899 | 1,368 |
| 36 | Audubon, New Orleans, LA | 16,004 | $704,812 | $105,976 | 1,730 |
| 37 | Palms, Los Angeles, CA | 37,859 | $987,476 | $83,954 | 1,782 |
| 38 | Whitestone, New York, NY | 39,821 | $838,977 | $87,013 | 1,123 |
| 39 | South Boston, Boston, MA | 41,090 | $746,666 | $132,281 | 1,917 |
| 40 | Chevy Chase, Washington, DC | 18,506 | $919,342 | $142,356 | 2,050 |
| 41 | East Village, New York, NY | 65,898 | $829,305 | $90,545 | 3,307 |
| 42 | Woodside, New York, NY | 46,363 | $648,903 | $69,068 | 1,323 |
| 43 | Clinton, New York, NY | 35,153 | $1,207,833 | $117,139 | 2,650 |
| 44 | Financial District, New York, NY | 31,183 | $1,221,787 | $175,518 | 4,944 |
| 45 | West University, Houston, TX | 34,360 | $759,119 | $165,516 | 2,536 |
| 46 | Dyker Heights, New York, NY | 36,602 | $956,217 | $73,713 | 944 |
| 47 | Canarsie, New York, NY | 86,694 | $579,181 | $76,372 | 1,871 |
| 48 | Auburndale, New York, NY | 28,366 | $790,259 | $75,551 | 1,062 |
| 49 | Greenwood, New York, NY | 17,307 | $948,600 | $98,534 | 2,186 |
| 50 | Blossom Valley, San Jose, CA | 71,983 | $809,087 | $118,432 | 2,428 |
| 51 | Queen Anne, Seattle, WA | 28,522 | $908,813 | $127,134 | 2,556 |
| 52 | Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA | 17,902 | $1,403,934 | $111,424 | 3,344 |
| 53 | South Of Market, San Francisco, CA | 28,489 | $1,032,286 | $131,546 | 5,202 |
| 54 | Great Kills, New York, NY | 23,788 | $559,585 | $111,056 | 639 |
| 55 | Ridgewood, New York, NY | 69,396 | $756,326 | $76,103 | 1,795 |
| 56 | West Of Twin Peaks, San Francisco, CA | 21,375 | $1,095,080 | $153,714 | 2,463 |
| 57 | Magnolia, Seattle, WA | 19,471 | $767,500 | $141,201 | 2,139 |
| 58 | Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA | 21,864 | $2,000,001 | $205,646 | 1,737 |
| 59 | Willow Glen, San Jose, CA | 77,437 | $1,088,590 | $130,927 | 2,556 |
| 60 | Midtown, Atlanta, GA | 21,945 | $378,430 | $96,712 | 709 |
| 61 | Centerville, Fremont, CA | 17,026 | $816,275 | $123,349 | 3,193 |
| 62 | The Plaza, Long Beach, CA | 20,109 | $676,764 | $113,703 | 1,177 |
| 63 | Wallingford, Seattle, WA | 16,998 | $833,794 | $122,922 | 3,119 |
| 64 | Pocket, Sacramento, CA | 26,316 | $471,400 | $90,462 | 1,134 |
| 65 | Borough Park, New York, NY | 92,564 | $1,008,418 | $48,705 | 1,000 |
| 66 | Pico-Robertson, Los Angeles, CA | 18,291 | $1,296,346 | $103,804 | 2,493 |
| 67 | West Roxbury, Boston, MA | 33,915 | $558,847 | $122,248 | 870 |
| 68 | Bensonhurst, New York, NY | 96,974 | $883,397 | $58,789 | 1,156 |
| 69 | North Clairemont, San Diego, CA | 15,494 | $603,617 | $98,740 | 1,530 |
| 70 | Carmel Valley, San Diego, CA | 48,364 | $1,037,794 | $172,093 | 829 |
| 71 | Almaden Valley, San Jose, CA | 46,778 | $1,176,574 | $181,680 | 1,969 |
| 72 | Woodbridge, Irvine, CA | 24,966 | $745,050 | $114,407 | 1,097 |
| 73 | Bay Park, San Diego, CA | 17,860 | $707,443 | $97,131 | 1,724 |
| 74 | Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA | 31,709 | $1,392,827 | $163,253 | 1,533 |
| 75 | Mira Mesa, San Diego, CA | 75,182 | $544,098 | $107,972 | 1,110 |
| 76 | Laurelton, New York, NY | 27,665 | $488,835 | $97,949 | 1,239 |
| 77 | Scripps Ranch, San Diego, CA | 22,537 | $791,708 | $134,883 | 591 |
| 78 | Lower Peters Canyon, Irvine, CA | 18,938 | $759,843 | $112,733 | 1,823 |
| 79 | Clearview, New York, NY | 28,704 | $555,508 | $81,878 | 831 |
| 80 | Glendale, New York, NY | 35,623 | $654,182 | $82,011 | 1,596 |
| 81 | Greenwich Village, New York, NY | 44,403 | $1,236,862 | $155,690 | 5,792 |
| 82 | Evergreen, San Jose, CA | 81,105 | $896,235 | $159,304 | 1,622 |
| 83 | Westwood, Los Angeles, CA | 57,287 | $1,266,754 | $78,789 | 1,255 |
| 84 | Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, CA | 31,016 | $820,187 | $95,550 | 1,849 |
| 85 | Roslindale, Boston, MA | 31,348 | $503,105 | $92,096 | 1,341 |
| 86 | Queensboro Hill, New York, NY | 75,376 | $521,976 | $57,190 | 794 |
| 87 | Douglastown-Little Neck, New York, NY | 82,321 | $518,824 | $83,053 | 1,176 |
| 88 | Maspeth, New York, NY | 55,134 | $696,249 | $76,126 | 1,761 |
| 89 | Portar Ranch, Los Angeles, CA | 22,688 | $681,550 | $122,141 | 1,395 |
| 90 | La Jolla, San Diego, CA | 36,662 | $1,298,387 | $128,665 | 1,887 |
| 91 | Adams Morgan, Washington, DC | 17,154 | $529,538 | $101,976 | 3,067 |
| 92 | Westerleigh-Castleton, New York, NY | 29,688 | $449,604 | $85,305 | 839 |
| 93 | Sunset Park, New York, NY | 93,293 | $943,771 | $57,733 | 1,784 |
| 94 | West Seattle, Seattle, WA | 30,285 | $715,152 | $114,356 | 3,396 |
| 95 | Rancho Penasquitos, San Diego, CA | 52,735 | $770,052 | $141,794 | 755 |
| 96 | Buckhead, Atlanta, GA | 78,972 | $491,544 | $113,902 | 709 |
| 97 | Landmark-Van Dom, Alexandria, VA | 28,354 | $319,643 | $100,175 | 1,754 |
| 98 | Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA | 47,098 | $632,712 | $104,228 | 1,852 |
| 99 | Tierrasanta, San Diego, CA | 30,151 | $645,145 | $108,245 | 905 |
| 100 | Corona, New York, NY | 107,981 | $707,427 | $60,039 | 2,482 |