Top Ten Best Cities In the Midwest United States

The Top Ten
1 Chicago, Illinois Chicago, officially the City of Chicago, is the third-most populous city in the United States. With over 2.7 million residents, it is also the most populous city in both the state of Illinois and the Midwestern United States. Chicago is considered one of the most important business centers in the world... read more

Chicago is simply stunning! The city's vibrant energy and stunning architecture left me absolutely speechless. With towering skyscrapers and picturesque Lake Michigan, there's no shortage of things to see and do in this bustling metropolis. Exploring the city's many neighborhoods was an absolute treat, as each has its own distinct personality and charm. Whether you're a foodie, a history buff, or just looking for a fun night out, Chicago truly has something for everyone. I'm eager to return and discover more of what this incredible city has to offer!

2 Minneapolis, Minnesota

Chicago is the only city rated ahead of Minneapolis that has teams in all four major pro sports. We also trail only Chicago and New York in the number of theaters for all U.S. Cities! The nightlife is terrific, there are churches everywhere, we have beautiful lakes and trees. It does get cold in the winter but you dress for it and at least people up here know how to drive in it. Minneapolis should definitely be moved up, I have no desire to live anywhere else!

I might also add that while we are certainly not free of racists, Minneapolis is very diverse and proud of it. In Keith Ellison, Minneapolis elected the nation's first Muslim congressman and he is terrific. Native son Walter Mondale was the first presidential candidate ever to name a woman as his running mate. Minneapolis is a trailblazing city, and proud of it.

3 Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City is a diverse city that is easy to get around. There is a great art scene, beautiful skyline, and great parks. It is also perfectly centralized for shipping companies.

I have lived there for more than one year as an exchange student. Awesome city, many outdoors activities to do at the city parks and beautiful skyline. Besides, Country Club Plaza is a cool place to shop or just stroll around. Kansas City is a midsize city that offers everything you need. I hope someday I could go there at least for visiting

4 Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, is known for hosting the Indianapolis 500, a famous car race. The city's White River State Park offers green spaces and cultural attractions like the Indianapolis Zoo and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. The Monument Circle features the... read more

Nap town. Has the indy 500, a river walk, and corn?

5 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Obviously Chicago is the best, but Milwaukee is 100% the most underrated (coming from a Floridian). Lets be real here, Milwaukee is the one of the dopest sounding city names in the entire country, yet everyone always forgets about it, which is total bs.

Milwaukee is awesome but they really need to change their city flag! Have you seen that atrocity?

An underrated sibling to Chicago. Seems pretty chill. Wisconsin has great people

6 St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis is an independent city and inland port in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is situated along the western bank of the Mississippi River, which marks Missouri's border with Illinois.

St. Louis is the best city ever! We have a very successful baseball team (unlike Chicago and Milwaukee). St. Louis has the Arch, the City Museum, one of the best zoos in the country, good beer, our hockey team is okay, we have a rich history, and a couple of great colleges, one of them being Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL). WUSTL is considered to be one of the best non-Ivy League schools. I don't know why St. Louis isn't higher on this list. Go Cardinals!

It's EpicJake here today guys doing a slime unboxing video! SMASH that like button! Ring that bell! Subsrib!

7 Cincinnati, Ohio

One of the better, mid sized, cities I've worked in in the midwest. Has a very unique feel, the people are extremely nice and welcoming, seems like a diverse and steadily growing economy, and best of all the price of living is extremely low and you still get a big city feel and have a ton of events going on all the time. Many new entertainment districts and you can get like a pretty nice 2,000+ SF home 10 minutes outside of the city for around $190,000k in very safe and well kept neighborhoods.

It is a great city filled with European charm and a Hipster vibe. Over-the-Rhine and the Ohio River front are awesome places to exlpore.

8 Cleveland, Ohio

Have been to the Forest City 13 times. Amazing food, amazing lakefront view, and downtown is packed and has plenty to offer. Amazing place to move to.

A very pleasant place to put down roots. If you can't decide between city or country, urban or rural, why not pick where you have the best of everything?

Playhouse Square, West Side Market, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and some awesome local food. Oh...and the Browns are good now

9 Columbus, Ohio

Travelled all over the Midwest and I am fortunate to call Columbus home now. Extremely diverse food options, never ending entertainment, sporting events (OSU, CBJ, Crew) and the list goes on! A very clean city that is only going to continue to grow exponentially do to large businesses moving in. Underrated is an understatement.

One of the most diverse and best cities in the Midwest. Has consistently out performed other cities in grwoth and quality and now is the 2nd largest city in the Midwest behind Chicago.

10 Detroit, Michigan Detroit is the largest and most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located across from Windsor, Ontario, Canada on the Detroit River, Detroit had an estimated population of 672,662 in 2018.

Most of the people who hate on Detroit aren't even from around here. People believe all of the rumors that are made up about it. Sure there are some bad neighborhoods, but all cities have those. Detroit has a sense of pride that most other cities don't.

Eventhough Detroit is dangerous, it still has a rich history. Sure crimes happen all over the city but that is mostly in the neighborhoods. Downtown is beautiful though, so much to see and do

Detroit, Michigan should not be on this list. It's one of the most dangerous cities In the USA!

The Contenders
11 Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines has everything that big cities offer; beautiful suburbs, downtown, great size, lots of corporate headquarters for insurance companies, cool historic neighborhoods, and good people! By the end of 2021, Des Moines will have two new highrises, The Fifth and 515 Walnut, a world-class skatepark called Lauridsen Skatepark, and possibly ziplining over the Des Moines River and white-water rafting on the river! Des Moines is projected to have a metro population of 1 million by 2040! ***It's the fastest growing city in the Midwest, with tons of development happening all around the city and the suburbs!

12 Omaha, Nebraska

well, I'm biased because I live here. Its amazing, big enough to have everything you need, traffic is never bad, crime is low for a city of it's size, people are humble, hard working and friendly, and it is more diverse than you might think- more than just ethnic diversity too.

Best quality of life. Everything you need in a 20 minutes city.

Omaha is the best of summer fun!

13 Grand Rapids, MI
14 Madison, Wisconsin

it's a beautiful city with festivals every weekend, live music every night. Cooking classes, crafting, exhibit openings and nature hikes. Cave of Mounds, Mariners in, Friends of meeting house, Madison Adventure Tours, aztalan state park and more. 'No matter what the season, there's always a reason to be out and about in Madison ' - Destination Madison.

15 Lincoln, Nebraska

Lots of free things to do, parks, lakes, camping, a good distance to other big cities for vacation spots, and a decent nightlife.

16 Ann Arbor, Michigan
17 Duluth, Minnesota

By far one of if not the most beautiful cities in Minnesota. With lots to do and its own truly unique Minnesota identity.

Basically the only tourist are just Minnesotans and a couple of Canadians

18 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
19 Council Bluffs, Iowa
20 Sioux Falls, South Dakota

People who think this place is boring can only blame themselves because there is lots of fun stuff to do here.

I love it here the sound of peace runs through my had when I go there

21 Eau Claire, Wisconsin

I used to live in Eau Claire. Beautiful place out in west Wisconsin

22 Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
23 Grand Island, Nebraska
24 Denver, Colorado Denver, officially the City and County of Denver, is the capital and most populous municipality of the U.S. state of Colorado.
25 Traverse City, MI

Took the train up there years ago and never stopped liking the area. Let's hope that the celebrities don't move in and poison the atmosphere.

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