About ZACSUM
Data-driven, editorially curated rankings of the best places to live in America.
Our Mission
ZACSUM exists to help people find the right place to live, retire, or visit. We combine data with editorial judgment to cut through the noise of subjective “best of” lists and give readers rankings they can trust.
Every town has a story. Our job is to surface what matters, explain what it means, and let you decide what's most important to you and your family.
How We're Different
Most “best of” lists are opinion-driven or sponsored. ZACSUM rankings are built on a proprietary scoring model that evaluates towns across multiple dimensions of livability — from economics and safety to culture and community character.
We show score breakdowns on every list page so you can see how towns compare on the factors that matter to you. Our editorial team reviews every ranking before it's published.
Our Data
Our rankings draw from a mix of public, third-party, and proprietary data sources covering demographics, economics, public safety, education, and quality of life. We're continually expanding our coverage and refining our models. See our methodology page to learn more about our approach.
Contact
Questions, corrections, or partnership inquiries? Reach us at hello@zacsum.com