(WFXR)- Four Virginia cities were highlighted in Livability.com‘s 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. list.
According to the website, proprietary data on more than 2,000 cities across America was used to compile the list. It was done in partnership with Applied Geographic Solutions, centered on accessibility and affordability.
Cities with median home values greater than $500,000 were excluded. Only cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000 were featured, which Livability determined to be large enough for big opportunities but small enough to feel like home.
- #15 Virginia Beach– A beach city with a population of around 457,000. It offers a vibrant arts district, plenty of unique restaurants, water recreation, an educated workforce, and a lower cost of living compared to other cities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.
- #56 Lynchburg– A city with a population of around 80,700 set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It offers plenty of outdoor activities, several museums, and historic neighborhoods. Lynchburg celebrates its cultural diversity annually with the International Festival. This year’s event, now in its eighth year, will take place on Saturday, May 2 from noon to 5:00 p.m.
- #62 Richmond– The state capital of Virginia with a population of around 234,900. It offers a rich history, high-paying job market, plenty of options for foodies, and a robust outdoor playground.
- #97 Roanoke– A charming city in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a population of around 98,400. It boasts more than 700 miles of hiking trails and is the largest city along the Appalachian Trail. There are 51 parks in the city, eight plazas, seven greenways, and two outdoor swimming pools. Roanoke has a vibrant arts community and it attracts world class entertainers at the Berglund Center. The city is bike-friendly and has top ranked public schools.
“We are so proud to earn national recognition of what we already know—that Roanoke is one of the best places to live, work, play and raise a family,” says Joe Cobb, mayor of Roanoke…