Maybe this suburb is affordable… Michael Godek/Getty Images Affordability is more important than ever in choosing where to live. US News & World Report ranked the best places to live, and getting a deal was a high priority. A Midwestern city took the top spot, but the Sun Belt had a strong showing on the list. Choosing a city to live in is a personal decision, but in an increasingly expensive housing market, affordability is more important than ever. "Every year we ask consumers what they're l