These are the 10 best places to live for good neighbors, according to a new study

A new ranking looks at the neighborhood qualities Americans value most, and several smaller metros beat out bigger names.

A beautiful house loses some of its appeal if you dread coming home to the neighborhood. But figuring out what a place is actually like to live in takes more than scrolling through listing photos. Those generally don’t tell you much about life beyond the property line.

A Neighbors Bank study surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. adults, then ranked the 100 largest metros using neighborhood qualities people valued. Safety carried the most weight. Other factors included upkeep, affordability, walkability, and access to stores and healthcare.

These are metro areas, rather than individual neighborhoods, and the ranking measures local conditions rather than residents’ friendliness. Still, as a Wisconsinite, I was happy to see which place finished first.

The 10 best U.S. metros for good neighbors, ranked

The rankings and home values below come from the study’s Good Neighbor Metros chart. Its typical home values provide context; they aren’t a promise of what you’ll pay for a particular house.

10. Provo, Utah

Provo’s strongest category was safety. The study lists a typical home value of $547,000.

That’s a substantial price tag for anyone hoping this list will double as a guide to inexpensive places to move. A high ranking can help narrow a search, but the monthly payment still has to work.

9. Palm Bay, Florida

Safety also stood out in Palm Bay, where the listed home value was $345,000.

It’s worth remembering that a metro-wide result can only tell you so much about a particular address. I’d still want to spend time on the actual street before getting attached to a listing.

8. Boise, Idaho

Boise’s strongest category was safety, with a typical home value of $496,000. The report also placed it among the leaders for low crime rates in the principal cities studied.

For buyers, that gives the ranking a more concrete basis than a vague promise of a welcoming community.

7. Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester stood out for safety. Its listed home value was $483,000.

A good reminder for anyone browsing Massachusetts listings: There’s more than one metro in the state worth considering. Boston isn’t the only option on this countdown.

6. Des Moines, Iowa

Affordability was Des Moines’ strongest category, and its typical home value was $296,000.

That makes this an especially interesting entry for readers whose first question is, “Could I actually afford to live there?” A neighborhood wish list is easier to act on when buying the house doesn’t exhaust the budget.

5. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston’s standout was access to amenities, with a listed home value of $742,000. It also led the report’s healthcare-access category.

Convenience can be a compelling reason to choose a place. Whether it’s worth the housing cost is a much more personal calculation. (There are also plenty of things to do in Boston.)

4. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Upkeep was Minneapolis’ strongest category. Its typical home value was $394,000.

Well-maintained surroundings may not sound as exciting as a newly renovated kitchen, but they deserve attention during a house hunt. You’ll be looking at the rest of the block every day, too.

3. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg stood out for safety, with a listed home value of $312,000.

For someone starting a relocation search without a particular city in mind, this is the sort of entry that could prompt a closer look. The next step would be finding a neighborhood that suits everyday life.

2. Allentown, Pennsylvania

Safety was also Allentown’s strongest category. The study put its typical home value at $364,000.

Pennsylvania clearly deserves a look after taking two consecutive spots this high on the list. Choosing between them would still come down to practical questions such as where you work and how much time you want to spend getting there.

1. Madison, Wisconsin

Madison led for cleanliness and upkeep and scored well on safety and everyday amenities. Its listed home value was $453,000.

I’ll happily take the Wisconsin win. Just don’t expect a metro ranking to tell you who will help shovel your driveway. That part you’ll have to find out after you meet the neighbors.

Good neighbors are only part of what makes a place worth living in. For a broader look at where things fall short, another study ranked the worst states to live in.

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