- Total score: 51.58
- Affordability rank: #46
- Weather rank: #37
- Safety rank: #4
- Economy rank: #29
- Education & health rank: #22
- Quality of life rank: #6

On Lake Champlain is Burlington, a historic arts and cultural community with the best of the waterfront and several parks on its doorstep. Home to the University of Vermont, the Magic Hat Brewing Company, and ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center, Burlington has a bit of everything.

- Total score: 51.67
- Affordability rank: #6
- Weather rank: #11
- Safety rank: #13
- Economy rank: #17
- Education & health rank: #35
- Quality of life rank: #30

On the south shore of Lake Erie and 40 miles west of Cleveland, Vermilion proclaims itself "A Small Town on a Great Lake." The historic port now is close to popular vacation destinations like the Lake Erie islands, and residents enjoy a top-notch school system and festivals and events like the Woollybear Festival, which honors a fuzzy caterpillar, and the arts and antiques merchants at Historic SummerFare.

- Total score: 52.78
- Affordability rank: #27
- Weather rank: #23
- Safety rank: #1
- Economy rank: #24
- Education & health rank: #46
- Quality of life rank: #14

On the western shore of Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh's access to the Adirondacks make it an ideal location for outdoors lovers. The city is popular among young professionals, and SUNY Plattsburgh lies within its borders, offering top-notch education locally. Of the many town events, the Mayor's Cup Festival and Regatta attracts thousands to the region for the Fourth of July weekend.

- Total score: 53.77
- Affordability rank: #26
- Weather rank: #43
- Safety rank: #42
- Economy rank: #19
- Education & health rank: #41
- Quality of life rank: #2

An Ozark Mountains community, Branson is next to Table Rock Lake and is home to several parks and beaches. A popular retirement destination due to the assortment of top-notch golf courses, Branson is also ideal for families because of its strong public school system, and the active social scene draws in young professionals.

- Total score: 53.96
- Affordability rank: #33
- Weather rank: #19
- Safety rank: #2
- Economy rank: #31
- Education & health rank: #18
- Quality of life rank: #27

South of Lake Kegonsa, this Madison suburb has quick access to the state park. Home to historic neighborhoods and idyllic town streets lined with storefronts, Stoughton boasts rich cultural events and attractions like its Opera House, Catfish River Music Festival, and Norwegian Heritage Center and folk dancers.

- Total score: 54.03
- Affordability rank: #16
- Weather rank: #3
- Safety rank: #19
- Economy rank: #27
- Education & health rank: #6
- Quality of life rank: #37

A sliver of northern Ohio just west of Cleveland, Bay Village has parks, Bay Boat Club, and top public schools, which are some ingredients that make it a favorable destination for families and seniors. The small-town feel is only strengthened by a park at its center containing the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, as well as a beach.

- Total score: 54.53
- Affordability rank: #13
- Weather rank: #12
- Safety rank: #44
- Economy rank: #16
- Education & health rank: #19
- Quality of life rank: #4

Next up is Holland, Michigan, at the edge of Lake Macatawa, whose most beloved centerpiece is "Big Red"—the much-visited and -photographed lighthouse in Holland State Park. Families can explore the city's Dutch heritage, including shops, villages, events, and eateries. For those of age, there are microbreweries, plus an aquatic center for those more interested in waterslides.

- Total score: 54.58
- Affordability rank: #23
- Weather rank: #1
- Safety rank: #34
- Economy rank: #34
- Education & health rank: #17
- Quality of life rank: #9

On Thunder Bay of Lake Huron, Alpena began as a logging town in the 1800s, and now the nearly 9-square-mile city is home to 10,000 residents with numbers surging during the summer. The "Sanctuary of the Great Lakes" is a prime spot for outdoors enthusiasts; even in the winter, Alpena provides attractions like a Wine & Hops Tour, shopping and dining in the Downtown District, and trails for hiking, snowshoeing, and ice-fishing.

- Total score: 54.88
- Affordability rank: #21
- Weather rank: #35
- Safety rank: #8
- Economy rank: #14
- Education & health rank: #20
- Quality of life rank: #13

About 50 miles north of Denver, Loveland includes its eponymous lake and Boyd Lake State Park. Not to be confused with the ski area of the same name—which is 100 miles to its southwest—Loveland offers an array of breweries, museums, and the famed Devil's Backbone Open Space, perfect for hiking and geologic sightseeing.

- Total score: 56.35
- Affordability rank: #24
- Weather rank: #18
- Safety rank: #3
- Economy rank: #9
- Education & health rank: #10
- Quality of life rank: #33

Mequon, on Lake Michigan, is about 20 miles north of Milwaukee and perennially grades as one of the best places to live in Wisconsin, with great public schools and excellent home values—plus plenty of coffee shops, parks, and nightlife to boot.

- Total score: 56.43
- Affordability rank: #31
- Weather rank: #13
- Safety rank: #22
- Economy rank: #22
- Education & health rank: #15
- Quality of life rank: #8

Duluth is a port city on Lake Superior with a combination of options to stay in luxury or explore nature. The 29-mile Superior Hiking Trail stretches to Canada, while the paved Lakewalk provides respite for more casual runners and bikers. The town of over 80,000 is popular among young professionals and families.

- Total score: 56.75
- Affordability rank: #10
- Weather rank: #9
- Safety rank: #7
- Economy rank: #8
- Education & health rank: #14
- Quality of life rank: #31

Eden Prairie's lakes are bountiful: Bryant to the northeast, Riley and Rice to the west, and Red Rock and Staring at its center. Just 12 miles from Minneapolis, the lake town is one of Niche's top suburbs in the state, grading highly in nearly every quality-of-life category from crime to education.

- Total score: 56.88
- Affordability rank: #9
- Weather rank: #2
- Safety rank: #15
- Economy rank: #11
- Education & health rank: #7
- Quality of life rank: #35

Nine miles west of Cleveland is Rocky River, Ohio, a town of 20,000 ranked #24 by Niche in the entire state for best suburbs. Its namesake river is on its eastern border, and within city limits, families will find a dozen churches and a robust public library system. The famed Memphis Kiddie Park is nearby, too.

- Total score: 57.46
- Affordability rank: #2
- Weather rank: #6
- Safety rank: #26
- Economy rank: #12
- Education & health rank: #30
- Quality of life rank: #16

Lake Havasu City has multiple appeals: Take your pick of water (boating, fishing, swimming, paddle-boarding); land (hiking, off-roading); or air (hot-air ballooning, amphibious ultralight flying). With attractions including not only the lake but also the surrounding mountains, it's easy to see why the town is popular not only for short-term stays but also for full-time residence.

- Total score: 57.71
- Affordability rank: #25
- Weather rank: #32
- Safety rank: #6
- Economy rank: #2
- Education & health rank: #12
- Quality of life rank: #20

Pewaukee borders the lake of the same name, just 20 miles inland from the Lake Michigan shoreline. The town of 14,000 is a homeowners community, and families with children will find Pewaukee consistently ranks high for its public schools. With a beach, restaurants, shops, and several community events, it's another Wisconsin suburb with major lakeside appeal.

- Total score: 58.28
- Affordability rank: #8
- Weather rank: #20
- Safety rank: #9
- Economy rank: #13
- Education & health rank: #5
- Quality of life rank: #15

Another Milwaukee suburb and neighbor to Pewaukee, Brookfield is a suburb- and park-lover's paradise. Tremendous public schools, low crime, proximity to a major downtown city, and regularly high ranks for living, homebuying, and raising a family put Brookfield near the top.

- Total score: 58.54
- Affordability rank: #19
- Weather rank: #30
- Safety rank: #10
- Economy rank: #7
- Education & health rank: #9
- Quality of life rank: #12

This suburb 25 miles north of Chicago is renowned for its public schools and family atmosphere, with 84% of residents owning their home. Besides all of Chicago's options, Highland Park's downtown hosts the Ravinia Festival, several historic homes like Frank Lloyd Wright's Ward W. Willits House are within town borders, and residents have access to public beaches.

- Total score: 58.87
- Affordability rank: #34
- Weather rank: #21
- Safety rank: #18
- Economy rank: #18
- Education & health rank: #25
- Quality of life rank: #3

Pick your pleasure in the picturesque South Lake Tahoe—camping, skiing, golf, and boating, to name a few. Whether you want full-time living, bed-and-breakfast, or full-scale casino and resorts, the city is only an hour drive south from Reno, Nevada. Though known as a vacation getaway, above-average schools make it viable for settling down as well.

- Total score: 59.37
- Affordability rank: #20
- Weather rank: #24
- Safety rank: #24
- Economy rank: #5
- Education & health rank: #8
- Quality of life rank: #10

Kirkland is Redmond's next-door neighbor and another premier Pacific Northwest suburb of Seattle. Residents can enjoy a long list of parks and trails in one of the best places to raise a family in the area. The Lake Washington community began with wool milling and shipbuilding and is now a thriving locale of arts, entertainment, beer and wine tasting, and outdoor recreation.

- Total score: 60.07
- Affordability rank: #4
- Weather rank: #10
- Safety rank: #28
- Economy rank: #3
- Education & health rank: #2
- Quality of life rank: #21

The city of Davidson, home to the acclaimed college of the same name, spills right out onto Lake Norman. The top-ranked suburb of Charlotte is home to a combination of young professionals and growing families accounting for the population of 12,000. Nature preserves and several parks line the lake, and for those looking to wine and dine with a nautical theme and view, the North Harbor Club has outdoor patio seating, comfort food, and boat slips.

- Total score: 60.53
- Affordability rank: #1
- Weather rank: #7
- Safety rank: #20
- Economy rank: #10
- Education & health rank: #16
- Quality of life rank: #17

Another suburb of Charlotte near the top of WalletHub's rankings, Cornelius spreads its geographic fingertips into Lake Norman just south of Davidson. The community, which boasts good public schools, also includes a championship golf course and 10 public parks. To fully understand the Cornelius lifestyle, consider that Charlotte's Got a Lot recommends dining dockside at Port City Club, trying out a paddleboard, and swinging by a brewery or two.

- Total score: 60.68
- Affordability rank: #18
- Weather rank: #24
- Safety rank: #12
- Economy rank: #4
- Education & health rank: #1
- Quality of life rank: #23

Mercer Island, a suburb of Seattle, lies on Lake Washington between Seattle to the west and Bellevue to the east. A wealthy city, with a median household income of $150,000, Mercer Island is known for its public school system, parks, and summer festivals. The city was only incorporated in 1960 and is just 5 miles long and 2 miles wide, but bills itself as a "true island community" with "its own sense of identity … widely recognized as one of the premier residential communities in the state of Washington."

- Total score: 63.23
- Affordability rank: #5
- Weather rank: #24
- Safety rank: #27
- Economy rank: #1
- Education & health rank: #3
- Quality of life rank: #11

Fifteen miles east of Seattle, Redmond sits on the north edge of Lake Sammamish, with the river of the same name flowing directly through the city's heart. The #1 suburb in Washington is home to both renowned international and STEM schools, and is known as the "Bicycle Capital of the Northwest," according to its website, which explains: "There's not one thing that makes Redmond a great place for cycling, but many things put together."

- Total score: 64.97
- Affordability rank: #3
- Weather rank: #5
- Safety rank: #16
- Economy rank: #6
- Education & health rank: #4
- Quality of life rank: #7

WalletHub's runner-up is Folsom, whose northern border is the shoreline of Folsom Lake and whose western border is Lake Natoma. Just 20 miles from state capital Sacramento, Folsom's livability correlates with its top public schools, dining options, and weather. While the 1956 Johnny Cash song about its state prison undoubtedly put Folsom on the map, today it is a modern bustling city replete with park concerts, fairs, galleries, boutique and outlet shopping, a zoo sanctuary—and a correctional museum with a Johnny Cash collection right next to the prison itself.

- Total score: 65.84
- Affordability rank: #35
- Weather rank: #15
- Safety rank: #23
- Economy rank: #20
- Education & health rank: #13
- Quality of life rank: #1

Traverse City, Michigan, takes the top spot on WalletHub's list of best lake towns. With its northern edge spilling out onto two Lake Michigan bays—West and East Arm Grand Traverse Bay—the city includes not only the beauty of the lakeshore but also vineyards, forests, and skiable mountains. The "four-season playground" has a range of nightlife activities—casinos, performing arts, wineries, distilleries—as well as renowned antique and farmers markets, shopping, and any outdoor recreation activities one could imagine. Its A- grade for public schools only fortifies its place as the top lake town in which to live.