The Steelers have won more Super Bowl championships than any other football team in the nation. They also scored first out of 245 cities for accessibility and fan engagement on WalletHub's survey, a metric measured by things like affordability, ticket prices, social media engagement, team success, and sports bars per capita.
Unlike nearby Philadelphia, Pittsburgh's cost of living is 1% below the national average according to PayScale. On top of affordable rentals, stellar public schools, and plenty of bars dispersed across the urban-feeling suburbia, football fans should be more than comfortable cheering on their favorite team here — as long as it's the Steelers.
Dallas is home to one of the most ardent football followings in the country. With five Super Bowl championships under their belt, the fervor is understandable. It may not be the most affordable city for football, but compared to megacities like New York City, NY, or San Francisco, CA, their passion is pretty reasonable!
Dallas is the second-best city for football fans in the country, but it's also home to the state's teams in six major sports: the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, FC Dallas, and the Dallas Wings. So even when it's not football season, there are plenty of games to attend and tailgating to be had for basketball, baseball, soccer, and hockey.
The Green Bay Packers are famously owned by a group of shareholders. These shareholders get to vote on matters pertaining to the team, and they ensure that the team stays in Green Bay. Did I mention that there are 360,000 shareholders? This results in a community-oriented team any fan would be proud to live around.
Aside from football alone, Green Bay is among the topmost affordable places to live in America, ranking at #6, which is saying something because house prices have dramatically increased since the start of the pandemic. The city is primarily suburban and has plenty of room for single-family homes. Plus, there are many bars and parks for football fans to hang out in to watch the big game or toss around the pigskin.
Whether you love them or hate them, there's no denying that Boston is deep Patriots country. There's no shortage of football-related fun to be found in the city—as long as you don't mind pretending you like Tom Brady!
If you're more a fan of college football over the NFL, you do have a few options in Boston as well, but not as many as some other big college towns in the United States.
Los Angeles has two NFL teams: the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams. Whether you root for the Chargers or the Rams, there are tons of places to celebrate the football season from dozens of sports bars and a fantastic area to tailgate right near the stadium. Word has it, Los Angeles fans also don’t mind what team you cheer for — although that’s just hearsay.
Los Angeles on its own isn't one of the most pleasant places to live due to excruciating traffic, rampant homelessness, and a terribly high cost of living. But when it comes to football, L.A. is the place to be for many fans. L.A. has plenty of job opportunities available, especially in the tech sector, plus there's never any shortage of entertainment around Hollywood.
New York is going to show up on any list of best cities because it caters to so many interests. The downside is that a ticket to their NFL games will cost you more here than pretty much anywhere else in the country. But, with such a plethora of sports teams at your fingertips in New York City (The Giants, Jets, and various college teams), you may be willing to look past the increased costs.
Big cities like Los Angeles and New York City always have their downsides — usually in regard to the exorbitant rent prices and general claustrophobia that comes with living near 8 million people — yet remain some of the best places to live in the country. Why? New York City is a beacon of opportunity for anyone who moves there. With thousands of job opportunities and things to do, living here has a football fan would be a constant party!
Even though New Orleans isn't really a family-friendly city, but it's still one of the best football cities in the country. The fleur-de-lis may be an iconic French Catholic icon, but here in America, it’s taken on a whole new meaning. One of our most unique cities and culturally diverse cities adopted it as the icon of their NFL football team.
The people of New Orleans are passionate about everything they do and are well-known for their ability to celebrate better than anybody else. What’s a better reason to celebrate than a fantastic football team? The New Orleans Saints are one of the most stable football teams in the NFL, which relieves much of the trees of watching football for its fans. Win or lose, fans in New Orleans can take it!
The Indianapolis Colts have one of the strongest sports followings in the nation. Thanks to the years Peyton Manning spent winning NFL games with the Colts, they gained a passionate national following. If you take a visit to this northern city, expect to be surrounded by its iconic blue. Their fans are everywhere and they love to wear their colors! As for Indianapolis as a whole, it's incredibly family-friendly for all the sports dads out there.
We're not trying to over-generalize here, but it's pretty obvious that most football fans are men, specifically fathers. Family men love to throw parties with their buds for the Super Bowl and get their whole family involved. This generalization makes Indianapolis one of the best family-friendly cities for football fans, which is something that places like New Orleans can't really say about themselves. Have you ever walked along Bourbon Street? Yeah, not the best place for your kids.
If there was ever a city with a history of NFL football, it’s the 49ers. San Francisco has hosted the 49ers since the ‘40s, making it a longer-standing professional team than most of its competitors. And although they haven’t won a Super Bowl in years, fans still carry the winner's attitude they gained during their winning streak in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Compared to San Franciso, Los Angeles looks like a garbage heap. Time Out deemed San Francisco the best city to live in out of the entire world for 2021. They surveyed over 27,000 people who praised the city's food, nightlife, and — of course — passion for football. So, is it worth living there? It's an easy decision for us!
The Broncos have lost more Super Bowls than any other team, but that's partly because they've been eight times. Only three other teams can say that. In addition to the Broncos, The University of Colorado Boulder's team, the Buffalos, is a Division 1 team. The average price of a ticket for a Broncos game is $101, as per The Denver Post (The number of sports bars per capita isn't shabby, either).
The recent U.S. News & World Report ranked Denver the best place to live in the country, even beating out cities in Texas and California. On top of a thriving football fanbase, Denver is one to the most progressive cities in the country that sports low unemployment, amazing restaurants, thriving culture, and affordability compared to L.A. and New York.
Many people might not think of Maryland before Pittsburg or Dallas, but the Baltimore Ravens are plenty successful. Based out of M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens are one of the only teams to be undefeated at the Super Bowl, which they've competed at on multiple occasions. Now, the team's valued at $2.98 billion!
You might be a fan of The Ravens thanks to the hit biographical film The Blind Side that tells the story of Michael Oher's rise to the NFL. But if not, Baltimore is still a great place to live. Pricey housing is one thing, but it's definitely made up for by the fantastic neighborhoods, lively location, and passion for the Ravens.
A few years back, the Seahawks came out of back-to-back Super Bowls, and while they may have lost the second one to the Pats, they're still going strong. Seattle also has the Division-I Washington Huskies and a relatively high level of accessibility and affordability. If you want to move away from your dull, anti-football town, look into Seattle.
Seattle is known for lush forests, beautiful scenery, and awesome income. You'll need that extra pay increase to support your life there because it's the fifth most expensive place to live in the country. But does that really matter when football is life? Plus, there are some upsides to living in an expensive place, including more jobs and networking opportunities for professionals.
Minneapolis is consistently one of the best places to live in the states, and what better way to up the ante than to add in the Minnesota Vikings football program. They play football like their city scores on the best places to live list: not bad. Despite never winning a Super Bowl, they still have a national title under their belt and plenty of playoff runs and division wins.
According to the most recent U.S. News & World Report, Minneapolis residents only spend 20% of their income on living expenses on average, which is incredibly low, especially during the pandemic. Do you know what that means? Plenty of money for season tickets and jerseys for the entire family!
Philly was the winner of the 2018 NFL Championship, so naturally, it’s a great place to celebrate football. Even before the Eagles won, the city was full of hype and energy anytime football season rolled around. Our suggestion is that you don’t say anything bad about the Eagles (or good about the Steelers) when you're here.
Philly is quickly becoming one of the best cities to live in as people flee historically more popular areas in California and New York. From top-rated universities to healthcare jobs and rich U.S. culture, Philadelphia is the perfect middle-ground for football fans who want to enjoy New England without the Manhattan price tag.
Florida is a bit crazy with all the tourists and alligators running around, but Floridians seem to have taken it to heart. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a great team, and the whole nation knows it. Heck, they've won two Super Bowl titles — one in 2021! They’re a big deal, and Tampa is proud.
With its cost of living 5% below the national average, Tampa is both fun and affordable. filled with walkable parks, entertainment hubs, tasty eats, and quality grocery stores, HOMEiA says that Tampa earns an A+ for all of its impressive amenities. With a bar or a park just a walk away for many residents, football season is a breeze.
The nation's capital Washington, D.C., is home to the Washington Commanders. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Commanders have a lot of history. They were established in the ‘30s, and fans have been cheering them on ever since. In fact, Commanders fans are some of the most engaged NFL fans out there!
The Commanders won two championship games back in '37 and '42 as well as three Super Bowl championships, so they're definitely worth your support if you're interested in the D.C. area. Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the nation (Can you blame them? It's the capital!), it's one of the best places to live and filled with rich American history.
The Tennessee Titans based out of Nashville was an NFL team founded in 1959 by Bud Adams. At one point, they were known as the Tennessee Oilers but switched to the Titans after two seasons. They've played in the Super Bowl championship once, losing to the St. Louis Rams, but have been consistent winners with six consecutive winning seasons since 2016, making four playoff appearances.
Nashville is the 15th best place to live in the United States for countless reasons, including both musical and non-musical amenities. Housing is affordable, the job market is robust, and the quality of life is above average for the nation. And if you're yearning to live in a football-friendly city without too much chaos from rabid fans, Nashville is a happy medium.
If you go to Charlotte, North Carolina, in anything other than blue and white, expect to see a quarter of a million sideways glances. You’ll stick out like a sore thumb if you aren’t repping the Carolina Panthers. You’d be better off grabbing a blue shirt and attending a game with 80,000 of your new best friends.
Out of the many wonderful historic cities in North Carolina, Charlotte is one of the best, especially for younger residents. From restaurants to coffee shops to parks and above-average public schools, Charlotte is a perfect place for young professionals to start their careers, establish themselves, and kick back on the weekends in a blue-and-white jersey.
Cleveland may not be host to Ohio State University — home of the notorious Buckeyes football team — but it's still one of the best football cities in the nation. Home to the Cleveland Brown, they have an unexpectantly strong fan base for a team so often overshadowed. Prepare yourself for some die-hard fans and insane games if you visit.
Now, if you're thinking of relocating to Cleveland, here are a few things to keep in mind. According to Engage Cleveland, residents enjoy a high standard of living for an affordable price. In fact, the cost of living is nearly 25% below the national average, meaning everything from housing to groceries and — yes — football tickets cost less than in many other cities in the country.
We probably don't have to tell you much about Chicago for you to get the picture regarding how passionate their football fans are. The Chicago Bears are rooted consistently mainly because Chicago is in the top #3 cities in the nation based on population. Chicago is home to nearly 2.8 million people! It hosts numerous colleges and the aforementioned Chicago Bears, who sport eight national titles.
Like any major city, Chicago, IL, has its pros and cons. Crime is a talking point and the winters are notoriously cold, but that's not all that defines Chicago. The city is rich with arts, culture, and people from all walks of life. You can find anything to do there — literally. There's something for everyone, including sports fans. And during the off-season, feel free to stroll along Lake Michigan's beach!
Like Arkansas, Tuscaloosa doesn't have its own NFL team, but that means the entire state pours its heart into its premier collegiate team. The Crimson Tide has a long and storied history. Even the name goes back to 1907 when it was used to describe the then-unnamed team during the Alabama-Auburn game.
There's something about living in a state that's so passionate about its collegiate team... There's no NFL drama to worry about, just pride for the state and many residents' alma mater. Fans across the state are united by common memories on campus or commuting to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Although, funnily enough, the state is split down the middle for Auburn and Alabama. Everyone's united for football, but not necessarily for the same team... That should be fun!
Houston is one of the pride cities of the United States. It’s relatively close to the state capital Austin, a great city for culture, and home to the iconic University of Texas. The university alone has over 50,000 students and 24,000 faculty and staff, so you can be sure that the ninth-largest stadium in the world will be packed come game night. But even Austin can't beat out Houston.
If you want to be surrounded by fans, there is no better option than Houston. Houston is home to the Houston Texans, who have won six national titles since their debut in 1999. As for the quality of life within the city, Houston sports a booming economy, thriving professional market, and relatively affordable cost of living compared to large cities like Los Angeles or New York.
The Detroit Lions were appropriately named: they are a fierce, good team, and their fans know it. The whole city seems to turn out for their games, filling Fort Field with thousands of fans dressed head to toe in their signature blue. In fact, Detroit supports their Lions so much that despite never appearing in a Super Bowl championship, fans keep turning up.
Detroit isn't the safest place for football families to live, but it's a fine option for those living a single life or merely wanting to take a weekend trip to see a game or two. Despite their reputation, Detroit residents are incredibly friendly, generous, and loving. When football season comes around, the cookouts are INSANE!
The Clemson Tigers are one of the most beloved teams in college sports. They aren’t an extremely polarizing team in most of the nation, but they consistently produce some of the best athletes in the nation. Be warned: If you visit this city in South Carolina, prepare to be blinded by orange.
While we won't comment too much on Clemson's audacious color choices, the city is South Carolina's shining jewel. Clemson is filled with young sports fans eager to make a name for themselves during the week and then kick back for a Sunday watch party on the weekend. It's not all work and not play over in Clemson!
To be honest, any place in Florida has it rough with all of the gators and hurricanes, which makes their football teams even tougher! Jacksonville in particular is a great city, and they support the Jaguars through thick and thin, even though they've never gotten the chance to compete in the Super Bowl.
If you're a football fan who hates the chilling northern winters, Jacksonville is the city for you. It's sunny basically all year round and is home to gorgeous beaches, lovely outdoor eateries, luscious parks, and hundreds of entertaining activities to do when you're not working or watching the latest football game.
Fayette is a humble city in southwest Mississippi home to one of the most unlikely groups of football fans in the country. The city doesn't even sport its own NFL team! But it remains one of the best football towns in the country for fans to live in because it's a safe city close to many of the state's football stadiums.
Not everyone wants to live in a big city or a town filled to the brim with football lunatics. Small towns with humble people and relaxation as your #1 priority are just as rewarding as big cities in Texas or California. Once you get to know all of your neighbors, it's go time when the big game is on. Potluck, anyone?
Fargo, North Dakota, is home to North Dakota State University. It’s a super athletic city, and with amazing sports going on in every area, you won’t be able to help but get caught up in the enthusiasm. Go grab your brightest yellow and green shirt and go support those Bison!
The Bison have won over 37 conference championships and 17 national titles since its first college season in 1884. These records make the Bison the most successful university football program in the decade! Plus, Fargo is also the birth city of the Hjemkomst Center for Norwegian culture and a replica Viking ship, so that's pretty cool.
People don’t seem to travel to State College, Pennsylvania, too much because of Pittsburg and Philadelphia, but the people who do travel there seem to stick around. It’s a stunning city with tons to do, plenty to eat, mountains out back, and a fantastic football team. You really can’t go wrong with this gem of a city!
State College is primarily a college town but has plenty to offer for families and single professionals. In the winter, you can enjoy the Pegula Ice Arena, and in the summer, the Rothrock State Forest! The area is also called "Happy Valley" and "Lion Country." Who wouldn't want to live in a town that's literally called "Happy Valley"?
Miami takes football pretty seriously. They’re home to the Dolphins and the University of Miami’s Hurricanes. Whether NFL or college, Miami loves to tailgate and root for their team, even if they have a hard time winning its games. Bar Stool Sports listed the Dolphins as one of the NFL’s most tortured fan bases.
Obviously, Miami loves football, or they wouldn't be on this list! But what makes them a good place to live? There's more to a football city than good teams. Miami offers the best and equally successful college football teams in the country with the Hurricanes ranking fourth on the list of All-time Associated Press National Poll Championships.
Cincinnati is home to the iconic Bengals tigers. They’re easily recognizable for slapping their iconic stripes on everything from their helmets to Star Wars Storm Troopers. That’s not all though. They’ve been around since the ‘60s, and after doing great in the American Football league, they moved to the NFL in 1970. They struggled a bit in the ‘90s and early 2000s, but their fans’ loyalty has never wavered.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Cincinnati as the best city to live in for Ohio. From affordability to retirement and quality of life, Cincinnati is known for living life to the fullest — especially when it comes to football. When you're not cheering on the Bengals, feel free to tour a historical museum, attend a baseball game, and try their world-famous chili.
WalletHub ranked Kansas City as having one of the best-performing teams out there, which is great considering they also have one of the lowest average ticket prices for an NFL game, starting at $50. All we can say is, “Go Chiefs!” And as more and more people are fleeing big cities like Los Angeles and New York because of the pandemic, Kansas City is one of the primary destinations.
Known for affordable housing, respectable universities, and the best barbecue in America, tailgating in Kansas City is pretty much unbeatable. Not only is it two and a half times cheaper to live there than the national average, but Kansas City is also home to some of the best nightlife in the Midwest.
Glendale has the Cardinals, but they don't give us much to talk about. However, their stadium is pretty amazing. They play at State Farm Stadium, which ranks as one of the most accessible NFL stadiums in the nation. Fans have a total of 63,400 buddies to hang out with when games roll around.
A football team doesn't have to be amazing for fans to have fun during the season, especially when you live in Glendale. The city is among the safest in the United States according to the FBI, making it the best place for football families to settle down and let the kids have some fun as well.
Buffalo, New York, is home to one of the most iconic tourist destinations on the continent: Niagara Falls. Tourists to this city can’t help but notice that the citizens of Buffalo are passionate about something else too: The Bills. The NFL team Buffalo Bills have an almost cult following, even going by the “Bills Mafia” on Twitter. Expect to be blown away by Buffalo’s dedication to their team.
If you're a football fan hailing from a small town then big cities like Manhattan probably aren't your style. But if you want the New York experience, Buffalo is the perfect alternative. According to Niche, Buffalo offers a mix of urban living and suburbia. Most residents rent their homes, and tenants are a healthy mix of families and young single workers. We know what that means... It's time to party when the Bills play! But not too hard.
Atlanta AKA ATL, "The Big Peach," and "The City in a Forest," has some real fans, even if the Falcons aren’t the best team out there. Things have been looking up recently, however. Falcons have some wins under their belt, but the median price of tickets is still a little on the high side at $172 median price.
Overall, Atlanta is filled with young football fans ready to empty their savings for season tickets, pre-game tailgating, and after-parties. Atlanta is a bustling city but is favorable to NYC due to its green spaces, thriving economy, history, and diverse population. Plus, the weather is sunny and warm nearly year-round!
After the Raiders left Oakland, they decided to call Las Vegas home. Let’s be honest, Las Vegas is an incredibly fun place to visit any time of the year, but during football season, the city has an extra special buzz about it. We'd never suggest that Las Vegas is family-oriented, but the football scene is perfect for young singles and retired couples.
Ranked #23 on Wallet Hub's list of the best football cities in the country, Las Vegas is known for its nightlife and party culture, which is why it's also called "Sin City." But that's not all it has to offer. It's actually a great place to live when you're not partying as well. The crime is rampant, but it's a fairly reasonable cost of living for such a popular city. Plus, it sports more suburbs than you think!
