21 Most Livable Midwest Cities for Middle-Class Families
The Midwest is considered an ideal region for families seeking lower overall cost of living, cheaper housing and a slower pace of life. Those looking to make the move, however, know that not all Midwestern cities are affordable. Fortunately, a recent GOBankingRates study identified 21 of the most livable Midwestern cities for middle-class families.
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GOBankingRates analyzed several factors, including the livability index, total population, household income and annual cost of living, across various U.S. cities to find the most livable cities for a middle-class family.
See which Midwest cities are among the 21 most livable for middle-class families.
Worthington, Ohio
Population: 14,997
Median income: $119,408
Annual cost of living: $65,906
Livability score: 94
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Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
Population: 14,804
Median income: $142,356
Annual cost of living: $74,862
Livability score: 93
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University Heights, Ohio
Population: 13,649
Median income: $91,960
Annual cost of living: $48,541
Livability score: 93
Bexley, Ohio
Population: 13,537
Median income: $138,929
Annual cost of living: $70,161
Livability score: 92
Shorewood, Wisconsin
Population: 13,707
Median income: $87,161
Annual cost of living: $68,479
Livability score: 92
Ankeny, Iowa
Population: 68,392
Median income: $101,151
Annual cost of living: $55,600
Livability score: 92
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Rochester, Minnesota
Population: 120,848
Median income: $83,973
Annual cost of living: $53,476
Livability score: 92
Clawson, Michigan
Population: 11,388
Median income: $82,713
Annual cost of living: $52,564
Livability score: 92
Traverse City, Michigan
Population: 15,468
Median income: $70,700
Annual cost of living: $61,353
Livability score: 91
Farmington, Michigan
Population: 11,486
Median income: $92,128
Annual cost of living: $56,566
Livability score: 91
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Ames, Iowa
Population: 66,265
Median income: $57,428
Annual cost of living: $53,541
Livability score: 91
Berkley, Michigan
Population: 15,150
Median income: $108,125
Annual cost of living: $54,562
Livability score: 91
Upper Arlington, Ohio
Population: 36,500
Median income: $144,705
Annual cost of living: $76,837
Livability score: 90
Middleton, Wisconsin
Population: 21,864
Median income: $87,333
Annual cost of living: $75,762
Livability score: 90
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Verona, Wisconsin
Population: 14,040
Median income: $109,960
Annual cost of living: $74,699
Livability score: 90
Solon, Ohio
Population: 24,053
Median income: $128,470
Annual cost of living: $60,810
Livability score: 90
Urbandale, Iowa
Population: 45,591
Median income: $111,888
Annual cost of living: $55,277
Livability score: 90
Perrysburg, Ohio
Population: 24,855
Median income: $98,419
Annual cost of living: $53,380
Livability score: 90
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Edwardsville, Illinois
Population: 26,622
Median income: $87,094
Annual cost of living: $53,675
Livability score: 90
Marquette, Michigan
Population: 20,673
Median income: $51,599
Annual cost of living: $53,845
Livability score: 90
Wausau, Wisconsin
Population: 39,906
Median income: $59,259
Annual cost of living: $45,071
Livability score: 90
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed in this article.
Methodology: GOBankingRates analyzed cities across the United States to find the most livable areas for middle-class families. GOBankingRates found the median national income from the United States Census American Community Survey. The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as two-thirds the median income to double the median income, allowing for the calculation of the middle-class income range across the United States. The median income for each city was found via the US Census American Community Survey. Locations with median household incomes outside the middle-class range were removed for this study. For each middle-class city, the livability index was sourced from AreaVibes. All locations with a livability below 90 were removed as the cities with at least a 90 represent only the highest quality of life locations. For each remaining location, GOBankingRates found total population, population ages 65 and over, total households and household median income, all sourced from the American Community Survey. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and miscellaneous indexes. Using the cost-of-living indexes and the national average expenditure costs for a family of four, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for a married couple with kids, the average expenditure cost for each location was calculated. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for September 2024. Using the average home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage was calculated. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the average total monthly and annual cost of living were calculated. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Oct. 23, 2024.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 21 Most Livable Midwest Cities for Middle-Class Families
