The 20 best liberal places to live in America

Manhattan Beach California Pier as seen from ocean.
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- Population: 34,584
- Median household income: $193,904
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#20. Manhattan Beach, California
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Belmont Town Hall building in the historic town center of Belmont, Massachusetts.
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- Population: 27,009
- Median household income: $178,188
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#19. Belmont, Massachusetts
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Mountain View City Hall and Center for the Performing Arts.
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- Population: 82,363
- Median household income: $179,917
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#18. Mountain View, California
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A rainbow flag flying outside of an apartment building in Manhattan, New York.
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- Population: 1,627,788
- Median household income: $104,553
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A-

#17. Manhattan, New York
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The Battle Green site in Lexington, Massachusetts.
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- Population: 34,085
- Median household income: $219,402
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#16. Lexington, Massachusetts
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Rent Electric Bike Beach e Biking on Redondo Beach pier.
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- Population: 69,814
- Median household income: $144,588
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#15. Redondo Beach, California
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The Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland, near Four Corners.
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- Population: 7,785
- Median household income: $200,110
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A

#14. Four Corners, Maryland
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A home near a pond in Great Neck, New York.
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- Population: 1,245
- Median household income: $218,603
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#13. Great Neck Gardens, New York
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Bike bath on the strand from Hermosa Beach to Manhattan Beach.
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- Population: 19,248
- Median household income: $152,019
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#12. Hermosa Beach, California
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A picturesque street in the city of Hoboken, New Jersey.
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- Population: 58,340
- Median household income: $176,943
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A

#11. Hoboken, New Jersey
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Santa Monica Pier.
Mark and Anna Photography // Shutterstock

- Population: 91,535
- Median household income: $109,739
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#10. Santa Monica, California
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Aerial view of West Hartford and Hartford.
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- Population: 63,809
- Median household income: $125,616
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#9. West Hartford, Connecticut
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Looking down a street in Clayton, Missouri.
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- Population: 17,282
- Median household income: $128,898
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#8. Clayton, Missouri
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Chicago Avenue in Downtown Evanston.
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- Population: 76,552
- Median household income: $95,766
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#7. Evanston, Illinois
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Arlington, Virginia, city skyline on the Potomac River.
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- Population: 235,463
- Median household income: $140,160
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#6. Arlington, Virginia
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City Hall in Cambridge Central Square.
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- Population: 117,794
- Median household income: $126,469
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A

#5. Cambridge, Massachusetts
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The Steuben House in River Edge, New Jersey.
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- Population: 12,024
- Median household income: $155,827
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#4. River Edge, New Jersey
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Snow blankets downtown Bethesda.
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- Population: 49,498
- Median household income: $128,970
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#3. North Bethesda, Maryland
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Elevated view from Coolidge Corner in Brookline.
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- Population: 62,822
- Median household income: $140,631
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

#2. Brookline, Massachusetts
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Aerial top down view of suburban multifamily homes in suburban Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
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- Population: 14,165
- Median household income: $115,273
- Overall Niche grade: A+
- Public schools grade: A+

CORRECTION (Sept. 16, 2025): The original version of this article included the top public schools for each area. Upon further review, some of these public schools were nearby rather than in the exact area listed. They've been removed for clarity.

#1. Ardmore, Pennsylvania
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A rainbow pride flag and American flags affixed to a home.
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