The Best Place to Live in the U.S. West in 2026

Rugged landscapes, deep history, and a sense of adventure remain a constant lure for people looking to move to the West. But beyond the draw for recreation, the region, encompassing 13 states, is also home to bustling communities full of economic opportunities and cultural institutions.

Recently, Livability released its ranking of the top 25 best places to live out West for 2026, as part of its larger Top 100 Best Places to Live in America ranking, which evaluates over 2,000 cities across the country. The final list is a data-driven ranking “using dozens of data points to pinpoint the absolute best communities for residents,” according to the report.

In the West, Broomfield, Colorado, took the No. 1 spot. Located just 18 miles north of Denver, Broomfield has it all: top-rated school and healthcare systems, a wealth of outdoor recreation, and a thriving job market. (A separate Livability study also found it’s an especially great place for women in the workforce.) In addition to being close to the state’s capital, Broomfield is home to art museums and a vibrant restaurant scene.

The city, which has a population of around 77,000 residents, also hosts more than 700 acres of parks and green spaces, including a water park and a drone airfield. There are two major attractions right up the highway—Butterfly Pavilion and Water World—giving families with young children even more options for fun weekend activities. Additionally, there are nearly 130 hiking trails in the area, totaling over 890 miles.

All these amenities come at a price, though. The average home value in Broomfield is $614,614 according to Zillow. (This number is about $80,000 more than the average for Colorado.) Payscale.com estimates the cost of living is 18 percent higher than the national average, with housing accounting for most of that difference. However, utilities are 13 percent cheaper.

Colorado has four communities in the top 10 of Livability’s list of the best places to live in the West —the most of any state—Fort Collins (No. 4), Castle Rock (No. 5), and Loveland (No. 7).

Beaverton, Oregon, located just seven miles west of Portland, and Meridian, Idaho, which Livability calls “the fastest-growing city in Idaho,” ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

To see the complete ranking, head to Livability.com.