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U.S. News Releases the 2025-2026 Best Places to Live Rankings

On May 20, 2025, U.S. News & World Report, an authority in rankings and consumer advice, released its much-anticipated 2025-2026 Best Places to Live rankings. This initiative saw the organization expand its analysis to include over 850 cities across the U.S., a significant increase from the 150 cities assessed in previous years. The rankings highlight major urban areas evaluated on criteria including value, desirability, job market, and quality of life.

This year, Johns Creek, Georgia, proudly claims the top spot as the best place to live in the U.S., thanks to its strong job market and high scores in desirability. Lisa Giovanetti, a consumer lending analyst at U.S. News, remarked, "The expansion of our data provides a richer insight for individuals considering where to settle. It opens up new possibilities for potential homeowners or renters."

In the overall rankings, Carmel, Indiana, follows Johns Creek in second place, aided by its impressive scores in desirability and value. Texas made a noteworthy entry into the top tier, earning three positions in the top 10 – with Pearland coming in at No. 3, and League City and Leander taking the sixth and eighth spots respectively.

The methodology behind the 2025-2026 rankings was robustly constructed. It combined job market data, costs of living, and other quality-of-life factors, alongside consumer sentiment derived from a survey that engaged thousands of individuals across the nation. This weighted approach ensured that key factors like quality of life, value, desirability, and the job market were prioritized suitably.

While quality of life remains a critical aspect for many Americans, the rankings acknowledged the pressing economic uncertainties we face today. There was a slight adjustment in weightings, giving slightly more emphasis to job markets to reflect these changing dynamics, as highlighted by Giovanetti.

The analysis drew upon a variety of resources, including data from Applied Geographic Solutions as well as various U.S. government agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Census Bureau, and more. A total of 859 cities were carefully scrutinized leading to the release of the top 250 that best cater to consumer needs.

This year's list not only shines a light on the best overall places to live but also empowers consumers by breaking down rankings state-by-state, allowing prospective residents to explore top-ranked cities within their desired locations.

Here's a quick look at the top 10 locations for the 2025-2026 period:
1. Johns Creek, GA
2. Carmel, IN
3. Pearland, TX
4. Fishers, IN
5. Cary, NC
6. League City, TX
7. Apex, NC
8. Leander, TX
9. Rochester Hills, MI
10. Troy, MI

U.S. News & World Report's Best Places to Live project is part of its expanding Real Estate division, designed to assist individuals in choosing ideal locations for living and retiring. It also aims to shed light on understanding the housing market, determining property value, and delivering advice for dealings with real estate agents.

For more details, feel free to explore discussions on social media via the hashtag #BestPlaces. As always, U.S. News stands as a trusted source for individuals making educated decisions in all facets of life, from education and health to finance and real estate.