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MoveScore

How to Choose a City to Move To: A Data-First Guide

Published April 18, 2026 · Guide

Most relocation advice is vibes plus a Zillow screenshot. This guide flips the order: start with the public data the federal government already publishes, then narrow down to the 2-3 cities where a visit makes sense.

Start With Three Questions

  1. What will your daily life look like? Commute, childcare, groceries, gym, family visits.
  2. Who do you need to be close to? Parents, work, a hospital, a specific school.
  3. What can you not trade away? Clean air, good public schools, low crime, short commute — pick two.

Then Check These Seven Federal Data Signals

  1. FBI violent crime rate per 100k. Numbers above 500/100k are high; below 200/100k is notably safe. (see ranking)
  2. EPA SDWIS water violations. Any pattern of repeated health-based violations is a red flag, even in nice neighborhoods. (see ranking)
  3. EPA AQS median AQI. Median AQI over ~60 means frequent unhealthy air days, especially for kids and older adults. (see ranking)
  4. NCES/EDFacts school proficiency. District-level proficiency <50% in math or reading is a warning sign, regardless of school name recognition. (see ranking)
  5. Census ASPEP municipal per-capita spending. Very high or very low per-capita spending both point to fiscal stress. (see ranking)
  6. CMS HCAHPS hospital ratings. Cities with fewer than two 4-5 star hospitals within driving distance are thin on care options. (see ranking)
  7. Climate and weather. Not a MoveScore input, but should be checked against NOAA data for your specific tolerance.

How to Use MoveScore Profiles

Start with a best-overall ranking to surface candidate cities. Open three to five city profiles. Look at the individual sub-scores, not just the composite — a city with a B composite that’s strong on schools and hospitals but weak on fiscal health may still be the right fit for your family if the failing sub-score doesn’t affect your daily life.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Exactly three sub-scores available. MoveScore needs three to compute a composite, but three is the floor. If a city is missing data for schools, water, or crime, the picture is incomplete.
  • A high composite driven by one category. A city that grades A on hospitals but D on crime may still show a B composite. Read the breakdown.
  • Weak fiscal score in a rapidly growing metro. Growth can paper over fiscal stress for a few years, then crack.

FAQ

What is the single most important factor when choosing a city?

None, in isolation. A top safety score means nothing if the water fails EPA tests, and a clean-air city with failing schools doesn't work for families. Rank what matters to you across all six federal livability dimensions, then filter.

Should I visit before I move?

Yes, but visit during the worst season and midweek. A July visit tells you nothing about January wind chill; a Saturday visit tells you nothing about Tuesday traffic or trash pickup.

How far in advance should I start researching?

At least 90 days for a considered move. That gives you time to read federal data for 3-5 finalist cities, visit one or two, and compare school zoning, insurance costs, and commute before signing a lease.

Last updated:

All data cited traces to federal public sources. No surveys, no paid placement.