The 15 best places to live in the US, which offer relatively affordable homes, good job markets, and pleasant lifestyles
US News & World Report compiled a list of the best places to live in the US in 2025.
Criteria for the list included affordability of homes, quality of life, and career opportunities.
Johns Creek, Georgia, tops this year's list, followed by Carmel, Indiana, and Pearland, Texas.
Americans move for all sorts of reasons, whether it's seeking better work-life balance, a more affordable lifestyle, or even a fresh start after a breakup.
Each year, US News & World Report offers a resource to those contemplating such a big change by evaluating 150 American cities on several factors to determine the best places to move.
The publication considers factors including employment opportunities, housing affordability, quality of life, and school rankings.
Johns Creek, Georgia, tops the 2025 list of best places to live for its strong job market and high "desirability" score, a custom index created by US News & World Report to rank factors like weather, accessibility of culture, and average commute times for residents.
The small Atlanta suburb of 81,000 people has been home to stars like Jeff Foxworthy and Usher, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Carmel, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis, took second place. The town of just over 103,000 residents previously went viral on TikTok for its massive high school that featured amenities for students like an auto shop, radio station, jewelry-making room, and even a planetarium.
Texas has three cities in the top 10, with Pearland and League City, two suburbs of Houston, and Leander, a suburb of Austin, taking the third, sixth, and eighth spots, respectively.
Here are the 15 best places to live in the US, according to US News & World Report. Residents find plenty to like about these cities, including affordable homes, career opportunities, and relaxed lifestyles.
Sources: Population and income data are from the US Census, median home price from Realtor.com, and median rent from Zillow.
13. Ellicott City, Maryland
12. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
11. Sammamish, Washington
10. Troy, Michigan
6. League City, Texas
5. Cary, North Carolina
3. Pearland, Texas
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