These Are the Best Places to Live in the US, According to a New Report

From the education system to the job market to access to healthcare, many factors can feed into a person's choice on where to live.

To help readers make informed decisions when choosing where to settle down, U.S. News & World Report just released its list of the 250 Best Places to Live for 2026-27.

The rankings are based on an analysis of public data and user opinions, including answers from a survey in which people from across the country voted for what they believed were the most important factor to consider when choosing where to live. To top the list, a place must earn high scores in criteria such as affordability, desirability, and quality of life, which encompass factors like healthcare, infrastructure, and education.

For the 2026-27 list, the publication ranked 250 major cities. Below are the top 25 cities.

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Best Places to Live in the U.S.

1. Carmel, Ind.
2. Fishers, Ind.
3. Flower Mound, Texas
4. Ankeny, Iowa
5. Johns Creek, Ga.
6. Hoover, Ala.
7. Rochester Hills, Mich.
8. Leander, Texas
9. Frisco, Texas
10. Sugar Land, Texas
11. Cary, N.C.
12. Troy, Mich.
13. League City, Texas
14. Parkland, Fla.
15. Buffalo Grove, Ill.
16. Pearland, Texas
17. McKinney, Texas
18. Noblesville, Ind.
19. Broken Arrow, Okla.
20. Apex, N.C.
21. Sammamish, Wash.
22. Edmond, Okla.
23. Allen, Texas
24. Cedar Park, Texas
25. Mansfield, Texas

After earning the runner-up title last year, Carmel has taken the No. 1 spot in the 2026-27 rankings. Out of the 859 cities the publication analyzed, Carmel ranks No. 15 for quality of life, No. 40 for job market, No. 90 for desirability, and No. 114 for value.

Carmel High School is ranked as one of U.S. News' Best High Schools, thanks in part to high scores for college readiness.

In the No. 2 spot is Carmel's neighboring city: Fishers, Ind. Both are located just north of Indianapolis. Flower Mound, Texas, rounds out the top three. It's one of 69 cities in the Lone Star state that made the list of 250.