The best conservative places to live in America
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
The best conservative places to live in America
A red farmhouse, wood house and barn in the hills surrounded by Fall trees.
For conservative Americans, the ideal home setting is a large house outside the city where relaxation and family time rule—and where the community shares similar values, particularly when it comes to religion.
The aforementioned preferences come from a Pew Research Center study published in 2014 on political polarization. The research shows that members of different political groups value different things in their daily lives—starting with where they live. Four in 10 consistent conservatives in the study said they preferred rural areas to more metropolitan ones, while about three in 10 prefer small towns. Additionally, more than half of consistently conservative people wanted to have neighbors whose political views aligned with theirs.
With this in mind, Stacker analyzed data from Niche to rank the 50 best conservative places to live in the U.S. Niche sources data from several public data sources, including the Department of Education, Census Bureau, and FBI. This particular data set was acquired by filtering for very conservative politics on the 2022 Best Places to Live in America list.
The top 10 on our list scored well on public schools (Niche average of A+) and were good for families (Niche average of A+)—but they scored lower in diversity (Niche average of B), cost of living (Niche average of B), and weather (Niche average of C+). The Niche grade for weather is clearly tied to many locations being in the Midwest, where summers are humid and winters are cold.
All but two of the top 10 best conservative places to live in the U.S. are in the Midwest. Nearly all of the locations listed in the top 10 are suburbs of larger cities; many of these locations near larger cities (Nashville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee, namely) have higher median home values. The locations topping the list share certain characteristics, from lively restaurants and bars, to great schools, to myriad coffee shops and parks.
Keep reading to learn more about the top 50 conservative places to live in the U.S.
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#50. Pewaukee City, Wisconsin
A pier leading out into a lake with a few boats and paddleboarders.
– Population: 14,561
– Median household income: $105,768
– Median home value: $336,400
– Median rent: $1,357
– Percent of people who own a home: 83%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Creative Commons // Wikimedia Commons
#49. Bridgewater, Virginia
A brick sign for a Methodist church and homes in the snow.
– Population: 6,090
– Median household income: $62,585
– Median home value: $6,090
– Median rent: $942
– Percent of people who own a home: 64%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Mitch Harden // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Cottleville, Missouri
A rainbow over a community college.
– Population: 5,439
– Median household income: $124,310
– Median home value: $348,400
– Median rent: $1,305
– Percent of people who own a home: 85%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Billy McDonald // Shutterstock
#47. Athens, West Virginia
A waterfall coming off of a big black rock in the forest.
– Population: 991
– Median household income: $52,760
– Median home value: $991
– Median rent: $700
– Percent of people who own a home: 73%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Dhelmstetter // Wikimedia Commons
#46. New Bremen, Ohio
A blue Victorian style home.
– Population: 2,798
– Median household income: $80,521
– Median home value: $2,798
– Median rent: $630
– Percent of people who own a home: 81%
– Area feel: Rural
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Wilmore, Kentucky
Main street and businesses in a small town.
– Population: 6,339
– Median household income: $65,964
– Median home value: $164,000
– Median rent: $832
– Percent of people who own a home: 45%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Sam Poss // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Signal Mountain, Tennessee
A brown high school building in front of a bright orange sunset.
– Population: 8,574
– Median household income: $109,611
– Median home value: $338,100
– Median rent: $1,841
– Percent of people who own a home: 88%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ M.D. // Wikimedia Commons
#43. Bridgeport, West Virginia
A brown two-story historic home.
– Population: 8,675
– Median household income: $84,295
– Median home value: $8,675
– Median rent: $1,132
– Percent of people who own a home: 74%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
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#42. Boise Heights, Idaho
The back deck of a modern home overlooking Fall trees on a hill.
– Population: 1,479
– Median household income: $90,969
– Median home value: $621,392
– Median rent: $1,017
– Percent of people who own a home: 75%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Wetherington, Ohio
An aerial view of homes and a golf course.
– Population: 1,271
– Median household income: $130,521
– Median home value: $464,100
– Median rent: $1,207
– Percent of people who own a home: 82%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
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Ed!(talk)(Hall of Fame) // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Five Points, Ohio
Two large white water towers, an antennae and a building with two open bay doors.
– Population: 1,600
– Median household income: $136,394
– Median home value: $266,900
– Median rent: null
– Percent of people who own a home: 100%
– Area feel: Rural
Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons
#39. North Sycamore, California
A pond in front of homes on a golf course.
– Population: 45
– Median household income: $160,724
– Median home value: $1,476,600
– Median rent: $1,654
– Percent of people who own a home: 92%
– Area feel: Dense suburban
Jenna Hidinger // Shutterstock
#38. Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
A red stone church and parking lot.
– Population: 31,361
– Median household income: $108,160
– Median home value: $315,900
– Median rent: $1,318
– Percent of people who own a home: 78%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Dex Sightseeing Photography // Shutterstock
#37. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
People walking on the boardwalk near large beach homes.
– Population: 1,588
– Median household income: $117,083
– Median home value: $1,588
– Median rent: $1,269
– Percent of people who own a home: 82%
– Area feel: Dense suburban
Vicki L. Miller // Shutterstock
#36. Crestwood, Kentucky
A farm covered in snow in winter.
– Population: 5,034
– Median household income: $98,345
– Median home value: $276,500
– Median rent: $914
– Percent of people who own a home: 78%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
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Warfieldian // Wikimedia Commons
#35. Forest, Virginia
A restored historic brick house with columns.
– Population: 11,075
– Median household income: $76,101
– Median home value: $11,075
– Median rent: $909
– Percent of people who own a home: 75%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Ed!(talk)(Hall of Fame) // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Springboro, Ohio
A main street lined with historic homes.
– Population: 18,416
– Median household income: $107,403
– Median home value: $236,000
– Median rent: $1,291
– Percent of people who own a home: 87%
– Area feel: Rural
Dwight Burdette // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Webster Township,
People gathered in the summer at a lake park.
– Population: 6,778
– Median household income: $145,833
– Median home value: $6,778
– Median rent: $1,563
– Percent of people who own a home: 97%
– Area feel: Rural
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#32. Nashotah, Wisconsin
A rocking chair on a porch with stone pillars.
– Population: 1,287
– Median household income: $93,750
– Median home value: $354,900
– Median rent: $1,208
– Percent of people who own a home: 95%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Pipas Imagery // Shutterstock
#31. Fleming Island, Florida
Homes amongst the forest with ponds.
– Population: 30,582
– Median household income: $101,685
– Median home value: $278,300
– Median rent: $1,464
– Percent of people who own a home: 86%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Landen, Ohio
Homes on a lake in winter.
– Population: 7,882
– Median household income: $90,661
– Median home value: $209,600
– Median rent: $1,205
– Percent of people who own a home: 89%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Creative Commons // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Weddington, North Carolina
A historic Queen Anne style yellow home.
– Population: 11,000
– Median household income: $144,718
– Median home value: $476,400
– Median rent: $1,108
– Percent of people who own a home: 96%
– Area feel: Rural
aceshot1 // Shutterstock
#28. Gambier, Ohio
Gardens with a red bridge over water in a park.
– Population: 2,339
– Median household income: $78,864
– Median home value: $2,339
– Median rent: $670
– Percent of people who own a home: 63%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Trong Nguyen // Shutterstock
#27. Seabrook, Texas
An aerial view of homes on the ocean.
– Population: 13,849
– Median household income: $89,885
– Median home value: $267,000
– Median rent: $1,294
– Percent of people who own a home: 55%
– Area feel: Dense suburban
Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Bainbridge, Ohio
A small historic home turned into a dental museum.
– Population: 7,951
– Median household income: $111,703
– Median home value: $314,000
– Median rent: $3,501
– Percent of people who own a home: 92%
– Area feel: Suburban rural mix
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#25. Medina, Minnesota
A black mailbox in a flower bed on a residential street.
– Population: 6,549
– Median household income: $156,563
– Median home value: $547,900
– Median rent: $1,355
– Percent of people who own a home: 94%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Lynne Neuman // Shutterstock
#24. South Russell, Ohio
A sign entering South Russell with American flags lining the road.
– Population: 3,761
– Median household income: $133,750
– Median home value: $353,600
– Median rent: $1,738
– Percent of people who own a home: 97%
– Area feel: Rural
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#23. Meadowbrook, Alabama
A large red brick home.
– Population: 10,110
– Median household income: $120,625
– Median home value: $293,200
– Median rent: $1,188
– Percent of people who own a home: 88%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
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#22. Longfellow, North Dakota
Small grey home with one car garage.
– Population: 2,625
– Median household income: $133,733
– Median home value: $292,961
– Median rent: $945
– Percent of people who own a home: 99%
– Area feel: Sparse urban
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Seven Fields, Pennsylvania
A winding street of row homes.
– Population: 2,762
– Median household income: $105,208
– Median home value: $323,700
– Median rent: $1,716
– Percent of people who own a home: 67%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Barrington Hills, Illinois
A farmhouse with a white fence in front holding a herd of horses.
– Population: 4,156
– Median household income: $157,414
– Median home value: $759,800
– Median rent: $2,732
– Percent of people who own a home: 93%
– Area feel: Rural
Aaron of L.A. Photography // Shutterstock
#19. Thiensville, Wisconsin
A group of motorcycles riding down a street.
– Population: 3,149
– Median household income: $73,846
– Median home value: $254,700
– Median rent: $1,051
– Percent of people who own a home: 68%
– Area feel: Dense suburban
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#18. Lookout Mountain, Georgia
A waterfall coming off of a tall mountain cliff, surrounded by Fall trees.
– Population: 1,629
– Median household income: $122,222
– Median home value: $372,000
– Median rent: $1,063
– Percent of people who own a home: 87%
– Area feel: Rural
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#17. Larkin Charter Township, Michigan
A small gray house with a front porch and blooming plants in front.
– Population: 5,410
– Median household income: $114,318
– Median home value: $222,700
– Median rent: $1,078
– Percent of people who own a home: 97%
– Area feel: Rural
Erik Drost on Flickr // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Murrysville, Pennsylvania
Homes and farms spread out on a Fall colored hillside.
– Population: 19,692
– Median household income: $102,189
– Median home value: $260,900
– Median rent: $1,350
– Percent of people who own a home: 90%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
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#15. Palm Valley, Florida
A park bench on a lawn lined with palm trees and blooming plants.
– Population: 20,540
– Median household income: $108,580
– Median home value: $492,200
– Median rent: $1,429
– Percent of people who own a home: 77%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Nocatee, Florida
A wooden entrance sign to the Nocatee Preserve.
– Population: 16,914
– Median household income: $124,821
– Median home value: $419,400
– Median rent: $1,974
– Percent of people who own a home: 89%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Bill Eichelberger // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Fort Thomas, Kentucky
A small downtown street of historic buildings.
– Population: 16,335
– Median household income: $80,549
– Median home value: $230,300
– Median rent: $892
– Percent of people who own a home: 71%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
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#12. McMurray, Pennsylvania
A green table and chairs under an umbrella in a terraced backyard.
– Population: 4,167
– Median household income: $142,000
– Median home value: $331,000
– Median rent: $1,113
– Percent of people who own a home: 98%
– Area feel: Rural
Stas Walenga // Shutterstock
#11. Indian Springs Village, Alabama
A black mailbox on a road in Fall at sunset.
– Population: 2,618
– Median household income: $120,313
– Median home value: $400,000
– Median rent: null
– Percent of people who own a home: 94%
– Area feel: Rural
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James Meyer // Shutterstock
#10. Cedarburg, Wisconsin
An aerial view of a quaint town with homes on the river.
– Population: 11,592
– Median household income: $79,868
– Median home value: $325,300
– Median rent: $887
– Percent of people who own a home: 71%
– Area feel: Dense suburban
dansif // Shutterstock
#9. Brentwood, Tennessee
A stone mansion with a green lawn.
– Population: 42,700
– Median household income: $160,174
– Median home value: $682,100
– Median rent: $2,033
– Percent of people who own a home: 90%
– Area feel: Rural
Dwight Burdette // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Lodi Township, Michigan
Rural homes with a pond in the front.
– Population: 6,551
– Median household income: $123,942
– Median home value: $6,551
– Median rent: $956
– Percent of people who own a home: 98%
– Area feel: Rural
kml100 // Shutterstock
#7. Mason, Ohio
A sunflower farm.
– Population: 33,592
– Median household income: $104,462
– Median home value: $313,400
– Median rent: $1,381
– Percent of people who own a home: 79%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
INvets // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Zionsville, Indiana
A front porch with an American flag.
– Population: 28,035
– Median household income: $137,265
– Median home value: $406,800
– Median rent: $1,408
– Percent of people who own a home: 85%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
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Aaron of L.A. Photography // Shutterstock
#5. Brookfield, Wisconsin
Flags wave at a memorial park.
– Population: 38,626
– Median household income: $107,380
– Median home value: $331,500
– Median rent: $1,495
– Percent of people who own a home: 85%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
Tony Savino // Shutterstock
#4. Kohler, Wisconsin
A walkway through sand dunes.
– Population: 2,016
– Median household income: $98,500
– Median home value: $2,016
– Median rent: $1,125
– Percent of people who own a home: 91%
– Area feel: Rural
Porterhse // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Downtown and businesses on a main road in Elm Grove.
– Population: 6,156
– Median household income: $112,500
– Median home value: $395,500
– Median rent: $998
– Percent of people who own a home: 91%
– Area feel: Dense suburban
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#2. Cherry Hill Estates, Kansas
Blooming flowers on a sidewalk by a white fence.
– Population: 424
– Median household income: $135,570
– Median home value: $297,330
– Median rent: null
– Percent of people who own a home: 97%
– Area feel: Sparse suburban
ArkansasNationalist // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Cave Springs, Arkansas
A small town street.
– Population: 4,859
– Median household income: $133,981
– Median home value: $305,300
– Median rent: $1,595
– Percent of people who own a home: 95%
– Area feel: Rural
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