Guest Columnist
Blake Crace
Davis Offers the Lifestyle Californians Want Most, Survey Finds
Not every dream lifestyle comes with a billionaire price tag.
While places like Beverly Hills, Malibu, and Coral Gables dominate the imagination, they exist in a different economic universe - one that’s increasingly out of reach for even high earners. For most Americans, the real aspiration isn’t extreme wealth, but something more grounded: space, comfort, and a sense of balance.
To explore what that looks like today, Calgary Homes, a real estate platform, surveyed 3,023 people, asking them which “middle-class” lifestyles they envy most. By intentionally excluding ultra-wealthy enclaves, the study highlights places that feel genuinely attainable - revealing where people believe you can still have it all, without needing a nine-figure net worth.
The top 10 most envied middle-class lifestyles in the U.S. in 2026 are:
#1. Colorado Springs, Colorado
America’s most envied middle-class lifestyle is that of Colorado Springs. With over 300 days of sunshine a year and the Rocky Mountains as a backyard, Colorado Springs offers an outdoor lifestyle that few cities can match. A strong military presence and growing tech sector provide economic stability, while the cost of living is more attainable than in many other Colorado markets. Excellent schools, abundant trails, and a family-oriented community make this a place where the middle-class dream still feels within reach.#2. St. Augustine, Florida
As the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine offers a sense of history and character that's impossible to manufacture. The walkable downtown is filled with independent restaurants, shops, and landmarks, while nearby beaches add the coastal lifestyle that draws people to Florida in the first place. Families who want more than cookie-cutter subdivisions find a community here with genuine identity, strong local pride, and a quality of life rooted in something deeper than sunshine alone.#3. Hilo, Hawaii
On the Big Island's lush eastern coast, Hilo offers an authentic Hawaiian lifestyle far removed from resort tourism and crowds. Waterfalls, farmers' markets, and a diverse local community define daily life, while the cost of living remains more accessible than in most of the state. Families drawn to natural beauty, a slower pace, and a genuine sense of place find Hilo rewards those willing to embrace island living on its own terms.#4. Greenville, South Carolina
Falls Park, a revitalized Main Street, and a walkable downtown that's earned national acclaim have transformed Greenville into one of the South's most enviable mid-sized cities. The culinary scene rivals cities twice its size, the surrounding Blue Ridge foothills provide year-round outdoor access, and the cost of living allows families to truly enjoy what the community offers. Sophistication without pretense, Southern hospitality with cosmopolitan flair - Greenville has become the place people describe when they're explaining what a city can be.#5. Fort Collins, Colorado
A thriving craft beer scene, Colorado State University, and easy access to the Rocky Mountains make Fort Collins one of the most desirable mid-sized cities in the West. The cost of living remains more manageable than in Boulder, while the community offers excellent schools, a bikeable downtown, and a culture that prioritizes outdoor living. Families who want mountain access, intellectual energy, and a town that still feels approachable find Fort Collins hits the sweet spot.#6. Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The University of North Carolina brings ACC basketball passion, world-class healthcare, and an intellectual energy that shapes every aspect of life in Chapel Hill. Franklin Street's restaurants, bookstores, and cafes create a walkable social hub, while the surrounding neighborhoods offer tree-canopied streets and strong schools. Southern hospitality meets academic ambition in a community where education, culture, and quality of life intertwine - Chapel Hill offers a lifestyle that feeds both heart and mind.#7. Peachtree City, Georgia
Over 100 miles of golf cart paths connect neighborhoods, schools, shops, and restaurants, making Peachtree City unlike any other suburb in America. Kids grow up with an independence that's rare today, carting themselves to friends' houses and after-school activities through a community designed around safety and connection. The lifestyle here is unique and family-centered, drawing those who want something different from the typical suburban experience - and inspiring envy from everyone who visits.#8. Ann Arbor, Michigan
The University of Michigan brings world-class culture, Big Ten athletics, and an intellectual energy that permeates the entire community. A walkable downtown filled with bookstores, cafes, and locally owned shops creates a lifestyle that residents find endlessly engaging. Small-city charm paired with big-city offerings, top-tier schools, and a community where curiosity and creativity thrive - Ann Arbor is a place that stimulates the mind and nourishes the spirit.#9. Kapolei, Hawaii
Known as Oahu's "Second City," Kapolei has grown from open fields into a thriving community with new schools, shopping centers, and employment opportunities that provide a viable alternative to the Honolulu commute. The neighborhoods are newer and thoughtfully planned, attracting young families looking to put down roots in Hawaii. Beaches, hiking, and island culture remain easily accessible, while daily life feels spacious and connected - the version of Hawaiian living that families dream about actually achieving.#10. Midlothian, Virginia
Rounding out the top 10, Midlothian has comfortable neighborhoods, highly rated schools, and a high-value lifestyle - it’s the kind of community that friends and relatives ask about with genuine curiosity. This is where families build the life they've been working toward - homeownership, college savings, and annual vacations. Midlothian represents the achievable version of success, the lifestyle that's envied precisely because it's within reach.One of the most envied middle-class lifestyles in the country is in California:
#19. Davis
One of the most bike-friendly cities in America, Davis takes quality of life seriously in ways that show up in everyday routines. Farm-to-fork food culture is embedded in the community, schools benefit from a highly educated parent population, and UC Davis brings intellectual energy and economic stability. The small-town feel keeps things grounded, making it an enviable spot for families who value convenience and connection.