Many Indian students wish to move to the USA for its top education and quality of life. But when you plan to relocate to the US, you need to factor in different aspects like affordability, educational & employment opportunities and much more.
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The US has multiple benefits for relocating indian students, like opportunities for networking, a supportive environment and higher living standards.
In this blog, we will talk about the 10 best cities to live in USA and detailed information on each for you to decide. Keep reading!
10 Best Cities to Live in USA
The city you will call home requires thorough planning and checking. Forbes has listed these cities as the best cities to live in USA. Each city has been carefully selected by Forbes based on quality of life, employment opportunities, housing and more.
Now, let’s look at the 10 best cities to live in USA:
- Naperville, Illinois
Naperville stands out as the best city to live in USA for its family-friendly atmosphere, excellent public schools, and stable job market. It hosts annual events like Ribfest and offers extensive park systems and recreational facilities, including Centennial Beach.
Let’s look at the details of the best city to live in USA, Naperville:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 4.3% |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $485,249 (INR 41,246,165) |
| Education | Highly-rated public schools, North Central College |
| Cost of Living | INR 255,000 per month |
- The Woodlands, Texas
It is known for its master-planned communities and scenic parks; The Woodlands is a top contender for the best place to live in USA. The city boasts extensive hiking and biking trails, premium shopping centres like Market Street, and a lively local music scene.
Let’s look at the details of the best city to live in USA, Woodlands:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 4.4% (2025) |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $495,847 (INR 42,146,995) |
| Education | Excellent public schools, Lone Star College |
| Cost of Living | INR 230,000 per month |
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
It is famous for prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT, Cambridge is among the best places to live in USA, especially for students and professionals. It is renowned for its historic architecture, arts culture, and prominent biotech and technology sectors.
Let’s look at the details of the best city to live in USA, Cambridge:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 3.0% (2025) |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $1,085,691 (INR 92,283,735) |
| Education | Harvard University, MIT |
| Cost of Living | INR 340,000 per month |
- Arlington, Virginia
Arlington offers a perfect blend of urban and suburban lifestyles, making it one of the best city to live in USA, with excellent employment prospects. It is close to major landmarks like the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery and offers robust public transportation.
Let’s look at the details of the best city to live in USA, Arlington:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 2.5% (2025) |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $794,520 (INR 67,534,200) |
| Education | Top-rated public schools |
| Cost of Living | INR 300,000 per month |
- Irvine, California
It is recognised for safety and outstanding public education, and Irvine consistently ranks as a best place to live in USA. It offers extensive green spaces, top-tier medical facilities, and a growing tech industry presence, making it ideal for families and professionals.
Let’s look at the details of the best city to live in USA, Irvine:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 5.65% (2025) |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $1,060,876 (INR 90,174,460) |
| Education | University of California, Irvine |
| Cost of Living | INR 325,000 per month |
- Plano, Texas
Plano is among the best cities to live in USA, especially noted for its strong job market and affordable living. Home to major corporate headquarters like Toyota and Liberty Mutual, Plano also offers extensive parks and family-oriented community activities.
Let’s look at the details of the best city to live in USA, Plano:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 4.33% (2025) |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $439,216 (INR 37,333,360) |
| Education | Highly-rated schools, University of Texas at Dallas |
| Cost of Living (INR) | INR 210,000 per month |
- Columbia, Maryland
Columbia’s planned communities and proximity to major cities rank it among the best places to live in USA. It is known for its commitment to diversity and inclusive neighbourhoods. Columbia also features vibrant arts communities and annual cultural events.
Let’s look at the details of the best city to live in USA, Plano:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 3.0% (2025) |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $459,530 (INR 39,060,050) |
| Education | Excellent public schools, Johns Hopkins nearby |
| Cost of Living | INR 275,000 per month |
- Overland Park, Kansas
It is affordable and family-friendly. Overland Park is consistently recognised as one of the best places to live in USA. It provides excellent recreational facilities like the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead and hosts lively community markets and events year-round.
Let’s look at the details of the best city to live in USA, Overland Park:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 3.4% (2025) |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $420,000 (INR 35,700,000) |
| Education | Top-rated public schools |
| Cost of Living | INR 195,000 per month |
- Bellevue, Washington
With a booming tech industry and beautiful natural surroundings, Bellevue ranks highly among the best cities to live in USA. The city is home to companies like Microsoft and Expedia, and residents enjoy outdoor activities at Lake Washington and nearby mountain trails.
Let’s look at the best city to live in USA, Bellevue.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 4.3% (2024) |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $950,000 (INR 80,750,000) |
| Education | Proximity to the University of Washington |
| Cost of Living | INR 315,000 per month |
- Berkeley, California
It is home to UC Berkeley. The city is a lively educational and cultural hub, making it one of the best places to live in USA. It is known for its progressive politics, diverse culinary scene, and rich artistic heritage; Berkeley offers a dynamic and stimulating environment.
Let’s look at the best city to live in USA, Berkeley.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Employability Rate | Unemployment rate of 4.1% (2024) |
| Average Home Cost | Approximately $1,200,000 (INR 102,000,000) |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley |
| Cost of Living (INR) | INR 350,000 per month |
Top Universities in USA 2025
The United States is home to many prestigious institutions renowned for their academic excellence, research contributions, and innovation. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, several USA universities are recognised among the top globally.
Below is an overview of the top 10 USA universities as per QS rankings:
| Rank | University | Annual Tuition Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | INR 4,675,000 |
| #4 | Harvard University | INR 4,590,000 |
| #6 | Stanford University | INR 4,505,000 |
| #10 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | INR 4,420,000 |
| #11 | University of Pennsylvania | INR 4,250,000 |
| #16 | Cornell University | INR 3,910,000 |
| #21 | University of Chicago | INR 4,335,000 |
| #23 | Yale University | INR 4,165,000 |
| #22 | Princeton University | INR 3,995,000 |
| #34 | Columbia University | INR 4,080,000 |
Final Thoughts
Picking the right city to study and live in is just as important as choosing the right country. The USA offers opportunities, excellent education, good health care, and a brilliant lifestyle for Indian and international students.
LeapScholar is here to help you study in the USA. We provide personalised assistance with expert counselling, university selection and application support, SOP reviews, financial planning, and visa assistance. Book a free consultation call today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which is the best city to live in USA?
A. New York ranks as the best city in the US. The city is known for its infrastructure, employability, and tourism. It houses some of the top universities in the US, such as Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, University of Rochester, and Stony Brook University.
Q. Which is the best state in the US?
A. California, Massachusetts, and Washington are considered some of the best states in the U.S. They are not only known for their higher quality of life. But these states host some of the best universities in the country. They are also known for their higher minimum wage rates and employment opportunities.
Q. Where is the best university in the US located?
A. Some of the best universities in the US are situated in Boston. Although Boston is not a popular tourist destination, the place is quite common among international students. It is also known as the student capital. It houses some popular universities such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University.
Q. What is the cost of living in New York?
A. The average living cost in New York is ₹1,29,408 per person for a month. This excludes the rent. On average, the rent for a person is ₹2,24,228 outside the city. The city hosts some of the top universities in the US, such as Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, and University of Rochester.
Q. Which is the best city to live in the USA for foreigners?
A. San Francisco is one of the most popular cities among foreigners in the US. The city ranks as the fourth most populous city, especially with a higher density of foreign citizens. It also ranks as the third-best American city for its educational attainments. Other major cities include Boston, Washington, and Seattle.
Q. Which is the best city to live in the USA for international students?
A. Boston is the most popular city among international students. It is also known as the Student Capital of the US. It houses some popular universities such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University.
Q. Which city has the lowest living cost in the US?
A. Brownsville in Texas is known as the cheapest city in the US. It is one of the country's nuclear powerhouses. Other cities in the US with a lower cost of living include Wichita Falls, South Bend, Erie, Fort Wayne, and Evansville, Indiana. However, these are mostly the outskirts of the country.
Q. Which state has the highest employment rate in the US?
A. Utah, Florida, and Nevada are some U.S. states with a higher rate of employment. The unemployment rates of South Dakota and North Dakota are also low. The current unemployment rate of the country is 3.8%, which varies across various states, and their cities.
Q. Which state has the highest minimum wage in the US?
A. California has the highest minimum wage rate in the US. the minimum wage in California is $15.50/hr. However, Washington DC is the city with the highest minimum wage of $15.74/hr. The US minimum wage legislature assures that all the workers of the country receive equal pay, irrespective of ethnicity.
Q. Is Chicago a good city for international students?
A. Yes, Chicago is a good city for international students. It is the best place for students considering finance or economics-related courses. The city houses several acclaimed universities that students can enrol in. Some of the famous universities in Chicago are the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, Northwestern University, and the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Q. Why is the US a good study-abroad destination?
A. The US is considered a good study-abroad destination. It is quite popular among foreign students, due to its higher quality of education. The US houses some of the most prestigious universities in the world. This includes the University of Chicago, Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Q. Is the cost of living in the US really high?
A. The living cost of the US is comparatively higher than that of India. This is due to its increased standard of living, and other facilities at disposal. However, the employment rate and average salary in the country are also higher. The availability of part-time jobs makes it easier for foreign students to meet their basic needs.
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