[Objective] The changes and driving factors of the suitability of human settlement on the temporal and spatial scale were studied in order to provide theoretical basis for urban construction and improvement of living environment.[Methods] Jiangsu Province was selected as the research object. An evaluation index system composed of four dimensions:social, economic, ecological, and construction environment was constructed, and entropy, trend analysis, and geographical detector methods were used to quantitatively evaluate the suitability of living environment in 65 counties in Jiangsu Province in 2009, 2013, and 2017.[Results] ① The spatial differentiation of the suitability of human settlements in Jiangsu Province was significant, and was overall "locally contiguous" with a gradual decline from south to north. In terms of spatial change, the spatial stratification degree of the suitability of living environment declined significantly from south to north, and the trend of the contiguous distribution in the medium-high level, medium level, and low-level areas weakened. ② The average score and variation coefficient of the suitability of living environment in Jiangsu Province in 2009, 2013, and 2017 were 0.432, 0.475, 0.494 and 0.179, 0.192, 0.165, respectively. The score of suitability of living environment increased in 95.38% counties, and the regional difference in residential environment decreased at the end of the study. During the study period, the suitability of the living environment of the counties in Southern Jiangsu Province was relatively stable, while that of the counties in Middle and Northern Jiangsu Province fluctuated significantly. ③ Geographical exploration showed that the economic, social, and construction environment was the main driving factor behind the evolution of the suitability of living settlements in Jiangsu Province, while ecological environment was the secondary driving factor.[Conclusion] To improve the living environment, Jiangsu Province should expand the economic scale, stimulate the consumption level, promote the economic development and equalization. Meanwhile, the government should strengthen the construction of living environment by alleviating the aging crisis, strengthening the flow of regional population and resources, reducing the discharge of industrial pollutants, and improving the air quality.