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Photograph by Walter Bibikow Columbus, Ohio Rank: 20 Population: 796,520 Columbus excels in education as the home of Ohio State University, which keeps life flowing through Ohio’s largest city and state capital. That helps support historic neighborhoods such as German Village, whose...

Photograph by Walter Bibikow Cincinnati Rank: 21 Population: 292,050 Nestled on the Ohio River, Ohio’s third-largest city has a picturesque downtown that includes one of the country’s most beautiful pro sports stadiums, the Cincinnati Reds’ Great American Ball Park on the riverside...

Photograph by George Doyle Houston Rank: 22 Population: 2,131,940 Houston checks in as Texas’ second-best city to live in. The nation’s fourth-largest city holds its own with its food and drink (steakhouses are a staple), but its large areas of public parks help put it over the top...

Photograph by Don Klumpp/Getty Images Oklahoma City Rank: 23 Population: 588,053 Oklahoma City owes much to basketball star Kevin Durant for bringing it to national attention. The city received (or stole away, if you're from Seattle) its first major pro sports team (the team Durant plays...

Photograph by Michael Turek /Gallery Stock Philadelphia Rank: 24 Population: 1,522,648 The City of Brotherly Love is one of our highest-ranked spots for entertainment and nightlife, with 3,800 restaurants. Beyond cheesesteaks, Benjamin Franklin’s old haunt features a bustling college...

Photographer by Richard Cummins Lexington, Kentucky Rank: 25 Population: 299,520 Kentucky’s second-largest city, Lexington is known as the “Horse Capital of the World” for its large horse-breeding operations less than 80 miles from the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. Lexington’s residents...

Photograph by Walter Bibikow Milwaukee Rank: 26 Population: 593,545 Milwaukee’s got good air quality and better brews. In the 1970s, America met the fictitious "Shotz Brewery" of Laverne & Shirley. In real life, the Miller Brewing Co. maintains its regional headquarters in the hometown...

Photograph by Rob Boudreau/Getty Images Arlington, Virginia Rank: 27 Population: 208,143 Of all the cities on the list, Arlington has the highest median household income and the lowest rate of unemployment, making it an economic bright spot across the river from Washington, D.C...

Photograph by Heeb Photos Chicago Rank: 28 Population: 2,679,998 The Windy City, America’s third-largest metropolis, would rank much higher if it were evaluated purely on its strong universities and thriving entertainment. Chicago is as hot as any city, thanks to its fine dining in such...

Photograph by Greg Pease/Getty Images Baltimore Rank: 29 Population: 612,701 A city with a beautiful waterfront and unique Mid-Atlantic flair, Baltimore misses the top 25 due to its high unemployment, 11.1 percent, and its crime rate, fourth worst on our list. Still, fans of The Wire...

Photograph by Getty Images San Antonio Rank: 30 Population: 1,365,256 The home of the Alamo, San Antonio beats in-state rival Dallas this year, thanks to a better local economy and significantly lower crime. Mayor Julian Castro is a rising political star, the first Hispanic person to...

Photograph by Lonnie Duka/Getty Images Oakland, California Rank: 31 Population: 401,036 Oakland may be San Francisco’s rougher, smaller next-door neighbor. But it’s a great place to live in its own right, even if you can’t afford a unit in the stunning Cathedral Building. Oakland’s...

Photograph by Richard Cummins/Getty Images Rochester, New York Rank: 32 Population: 213,178 Rochester may be closely identified with the rust belt towns of the Erie Canal, but it still boasts a full slate of events to keep residents busy, from Oktoberfest celebrations to its annual...

Photograph by Walter Bibikow/Getty Images San Jose Rank: 33 Population: 956,368 San Jose already has pro sports teams, but Oracle Chief Executive Larry Ellison has tried to add an NBA team to the city for years. Ellison’s attempt to buy and move the Memphis Grizzlies this spring was...

Photograph by John Coletti/Getty Images Lincoln, Nebraska Rank: 34 (tie) Population: 259,068 Lincoln, home of the Cornhuskers of the University of Nebraska’s main campus, boasts low unemployment—just 3.7 percent. A major college town, Lincoln has a busy nightlife scene on O Street and...

Photograph by Ken Biggs/Getty Images Tampa Rank: 34 (tie) Population: 340,509 The site of this year’s Republican National convention, Tampa is our only stop in Florida this year. Credit the city's strong nightlife and parks. Tampa has its own Busch Gardens, aquarium, and zoo. And with...

Photograph by Blaine Harrington III/Corbis Colorado Springs Rank: 36 Population: 421,350 Colorado Springs, located 15 minutes from Pikes Peak, is well situated for subscribers to Colorado’s active, outdoor lifestyle. The city hosts the U.S. Olympic Training Center and liberal arts...

Photograph by Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images Indianapolis Rank: 37 Population: 831,943 Indianapolis is strong in sports and other leisure activities, including the NCAA Hall of Champions, the Indianapolis 500 auto race, and the funky graffiti art (such as it can get) of Broad Ripple...

Photograph by Don Klumpp/Getty Images Tulsa Rank: 38 Population: 395,176 While Oklahoma’s second-largest city might not set the country on fire as a tourist destination, it’s home to the nation’s 18th-oldest opera company, two symphony orchestras, and the thriving Brady Arts District...

Photograph by Jumper/Getty Images Charlotte Rank: 39 Population: 745,596 Charlotte claims professional sports teams, though one of them—Michael Jordan’s NBA Bobcats—just set a record for worst season-winning percentage in league history. Nascar fans love Charlotte: the city holds the...