This City Was Just Named the Healthiest Place to Live in the U.S.

Where you live can significantly impact your well-being — both physical and mental, as it can affect access to quality healthcare, sports facilities, outdoor recreation, and nutritious food. And while states like Hawai'i and Massachusetts have recently been ranked as the healthiest in the nation when it comes to specific destinations, you may want to consider moving to Northern California. More specifically, Berkeley. According to a Niche.com report on the healthiest cities in the country in 2024, Berkeley ranked first with an overall grade of A+.

"Our healthiest places to live rankings consider various factors from multiple sources, with physical inactivity and obesity being the primary ones, both of which are sourced from the CDC," Aaron Miller, senior manager of data products and solutions at Niche.com, told Travel + Leisure. "Berkeley, California, excelled in each and ranks in the top 20 nationally for outdoor activities. It also boasts excellent access to healthcare."

In Berkeley, home to about 120,000 residents, only 15.4 percent of adults reported physical inactivity, much lower than the national average of 25.3 percent and California's 21.2 percent. Obesity and smoking levels show the same pattern—the former standing at 24.4 and the latter at 8.2 percent. And only about 3.4 percent of Berkley residents aged under 64 were uninsured. The city is also home to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, which was recently recognized as one of the best for patient safety excellence nationally. 

Berkeley also scored perfect grades in the weather and outdoor activities categories in Niche.com's report and was seventh in the ranking of the best cities for young professionals. As the home of the University of California, the city has a substantial student population as well as thriving cultural and sports scenes. With over 50 city parks that provide access to facilities such as outdoor gyms, tennis and basketball courts, and biking and hiking trails, residents have plenty of opportunities to stay active year-round. Plus, with eight national parks and recreational areas in its vicinity, the city is a true haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

However, living in Berkeley isn't cheap. The median home value is $1,405,581, according to Zillow, and the overall cost of living is 95.5 percent more than the national average.

Six California communities made it to the top ten healthiest cities in the country, with Irvine, Orange County, and San Francisco ranking second and third.

Only one East Coast city, Cambridge in Massachusetts, managed to sneak into the top ten and ranked fifth. 

You can see the complete list at niche.com.