When David Arsenault takes down a worn, leather-bound 19th-century book from a shelf of the Boston Athenaeum, he feels a sense of awe — like he's handling an artifact in a museum.
Portraits of Mass. Rep. Charles Lewis Mitchell, left, and Dr. John V. de Grasse are seen Oct. 9 in a photograph album from the personal collection of anti-slavery activist Harriet Hayden, which was printed in the 1860s, at the Boston Athenaeum.
Charles Krupa, Associated PressPeople are also reading…
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Pedestrians walk past the Boston Athenaeum, one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States, on Oct. 9 in Boston.
Charles Krupa, Associated Press
A sculpture of the character Little Nell from Charles Dickens's "The Old Curiosity Shop" is displayed Oct. 9 at the Boston Athenaeum.
Charles Krupa, Associated Press
Bound copies of Alexander Hamilton's papers are displayed Oct. 9 at the Boston Athenaeum.
Charles Krupa, Associated Press
Guests read and work Oct. 9 in the fifth-floor reading room, designated a "silent space," at the Boston Athenaeum.
Charles Krupa, Associated Press- Karen Garcia Los Angeles Times
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What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in every state using Niche’s 2020 rankings. Niche ranks places to live based on many factors, including the cost of living, educational attainment, housing, and public schools.
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Best place to live in every state
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Best place to live in every state
- Population: 49,327
- Median home value: $253,000 (71% own)
- GoodFreePhotos
- Population: 12,791
- Median home value: $244,700 (63% own)
- Mikhail Varentsov // Shutterstock
- Population: 50,454
- Median home value: $440,100 (74% own)
- Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock
- Population: 49,467
- Median home value: $232,600 (54% own)
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- Population: 91,577
- Median home value: $1,382,700 (29% own)
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- Median home value: $460,100 (97% own)
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- Median home value: $334,300 (71% own)
- Ragesoss // Wikimedia Commons
- Population: 7,613
- Median home value: $343,300 (84% own)
- Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock
- Population: 14,747
- Median home value: $389,500 (86% own)
- Norm Lane // Shutterstock
- Population: 24,002
- Median home value: $521,900 (66% own)
- Lincolnh // Wikimedia Commons
- Population: 400,317
- Median home value: $749,000 (49% own)
- SvetlanaSF // Shutterstock
- Population: 25,319
- Median home value: $229,900 (41% own)
- Charles Knowles // Shutterstock
- Population: 8,716
- Median home value: $506,400 (84% own)
- David Wilson // Flickr
- Population: 97,464
- Median home value: $333,200 (76% own)
- Golden Ratio Photos // Shutterstock
- Population: 4,451
- Median home value: $203,400 (69% own)
- Rich Herrmann // Flickr
- Population: 22,170
- Median home value: $290,600 (77% own)
- Jon Kraft // Shutterstock
- Population: 16,308
- Median home value: $227,600 (71% own)
- Bill Eichelberger // Wikimedia Commons
- Population: 31,974
- Median home value: $236,500 (87% own)
- Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock
- Population: 9,275
- Median home value: $435,700 (89% own)
- Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock
- Population: 8,763
- Median home value: $754,200 (89% own)
- Nicole Glass Photography // Shutterstock
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- Median home value: $933,200 (49% own)
- Susan Marrah Photography // Shutterstock
- Population: 24,141
- Median home value: $243,200 (61% own)
- Deb Nystrom // Flickr
- Population: 64,179
- Median home value: $368,100 (73% own)
- Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons
- Population: 25,592
- Median home value: $261,900 (93% own)
- Pmsyyz // Wikimedia Commons
- Population: 8,500
- Median home value: $253,700 (56% own)
- Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons
- Population: 46,746
- Median home value: $365,600 (43% own)
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- Median home value: $127,200 (54% own)
- Jasperdo // Flickr
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- Median home value: $869,900 (72% own)
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- Median home value: $11,467 (66% own)
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- Population: 31,000
- Median home value: $31,000 (60% own)
- Djkeddie // Wikimedia Commons
- Population: 12,666
- Median home value: $308,100 (67% own)
- Kit Leong // Shutterstock
- Population: 13,889
- Median home value: $797,400 (87% own)
- Jayne Lipkovich // Shutterstock
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- Median home value: $331,800 (48% own)
- ying // Shutterstock
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- Median home value: $212,100 (44% own)
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- Population: 9,147
- Median home value: $294,400 (88% own)
- Lewis Directed Films // Shutterstock
- Population: 92,009
- Median home value: $240,600 (68% own)
- MARELBU // Wikimedia Commons
- Population: 26,501
- Median home value: $557,300 (73% own)
- Nadia Yong // Shutterstock
- Population: 4,800
- Median home value: $323,000 (77% own)
- Gaukhar Javarova // Shutterstock
- Population: 16,131
- Median home value: $433,200 (89% own)
- Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
- Population: 10,412
- Median home value: $193,700 (76% own)
- Elizabeth Foley // Shutterstock
- Population: 2,895
- Median home value: $266,400 (59% own)
- Lost_in_the_Midwest // Shutterstock
- Population: 42,407
- Median home value: $655,400 (91% own)
- dansif // Shutterstock
- Population: 16,437
- Median home value: $373,600 (83% own)
- Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
- Population: 31,494
- Median home value: $339,500 (88% own)
- Parker Covieo // Shutterstock
- Population: 3,339
- Median home value: $454,500 (73% own)
- Bram Reusen // Shutterstock
- Population: 14,220
- Median home value: $473,800 (87% own)
- romakoma // Shutterstock
- Population: 65,558
- Median home value: $703,000 (50% own)
- Pikachu Ink // Shutterstock
- Population: 6,153
- Median home value: $370,500 (93% own)
- rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock
What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in every state using Niche’s 2020 rankings. Niche ranks places to live based on many factors, including the cost of living, educational attainment, housing, and public schools.
- Jay Yuan // Shutterstock
- Population: 2,160
- Median home value: $164,400 (52% own)
- Steve Heap // Shutterstock
- Population: 1,812
- Median home value: $1,066,900 (83% own)
- tusharkoley // Shutterstock

