Discover affordable, inclusive, and vibrant cities across the US. Browse livability scores, compare features, and plan your move with confidence.
We turn raw data into clear comparisons, so you can make informed decisions about where to live
From government sources, public databases, and trusted third parties — no crowdsourcing, no guesswork
Transparent calculations turn complex datasets into comparable metrics you can actually understand
Compare cities side-by-side with clear data, then dive deeper into what matters most to you
WHY YOU CAN TRUST US
Most ranking sites won't tell you where their numbers come from. We think that's a problem — especially when you're deciding where to build your life.
Every score on Townscout is produced by Placemark, our structured location-intelligence layer. Placemark follows an explicit, versioned methodology: raw data comes from public and licensed sources, normalized to consistent scales, and combined using documented weights. When the methodology changes, we create a new version — your saved scores always show you which version produced them.
No black boxes. No algorithmic surprises. Just clear, reproducible analysis you can interrogate and trust.
Read more about methodologyRaw source data
CENSUS · BLS · USDA · LICENSED
Normalization layer
0-100 SCALE · DOCUMENTED RULES
Weighted composite scoring
VERSIONED WEIGHTS · V2.1
WHO TOWNSCOUT IS FOR
You've decided it's time to move, but the options feel endless. Townscout helps you narrow the field with structured data and honest tradeoffs — so you can choose with clarity, not just instinct.
Compare cities →When your job goes anywhere, the pressure falls entirely on you to pick the right place. Filter by cost, climate, internet infrastructure, community, and lifestyle fit — without leaving anything on the table.
Find your base →Healthcare access, walkability, affordability, outdoor life, cultural richness — retirement is too important for guesswork. Build a shortlist around what your next decade actually needs.
Start your shortlist →
