Here are the best cities for liberals and conservatives

These days, American politics is increasingly polarizing. It's not enough to simply befriend only those who share your beliefs — political affiliation now often factors into where people choose to live. The editors of Livability.com used data from geomapping software Esri, nonpartisan watchdog GovTrack, and self-reported political leanings from residents to put together a list of the best cities for liberals, conservatives, and centrists.
The results are roughly what you might expect. On the left, historically liberal cities that also are home to large universities dominated the list, while relatively smaller cities in the South and Midwest proved more popular with those who lean to the right. Check out the full list below. --Samantha Rollins
10 best cities for liberals, 2014
1. Berkeley, California2. Hoboken, New Jersey3. Somerville, Massachusetts4. Boulder, Colorado5. Evanston, Illinois6. College Park, Maryland7. Ann Arbor, Michigan8. Mercer Island, Washington9. Alexandria, Virginia10. Newport, Rhode Island
10 best cities for conservatives, 2014
1. Alabaster, Alabama2. Crestview, Florida3. Clinton, Utah4. Bristol, Tennessee5. Odessa, Texas6. Yukon, Oklahoma7. Slidell, Louisiana8. Olive Branch, Mississippi9. Peachtree City, Georgia10. Benton, Arkansas
10 best cities for centrists, 2014
1. Spokane Valley, Washington2. Bend, Oregon3. Indio, California4. Gainesville, Florida5. Albany, Georgia6. Boise, Idaho7. Muncie, Indiana8. Sparks, Nevada9. Oregon, Ohio10. Wildwood, Missouri
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Samantha Rollins is TheWeek.com's news editor. She has previously worked for The New York Times and TIME and is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
Today's political cartoons - February 22, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - bricking it, I can buy myself flowers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 exclusive cartoons about Trump and Putin negotiating peace
Cartoons Artists take on alternative timelines, missing participants, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The AI arms race
Talking Point The fixation on AI-powered economic growth risks drowning out concerns around the technology which have yet to be resolved
By The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published