The best places to live in the United States, according to a new ranking, include plenty of spots right here in Texas.
A new list released by U.S. News & World Report ranks the top 150 cities to live in the United States based on desirability, the state of the job market, quality of life, and overall value.
Ten Texas cities made the list, including Dallas at 95. The city was awarded an overall score of 6.1, with the report highlighting the area’s fascinating diversity of Texas pride mixed with “cosmopolitan offerings.”
“The small-town feel of Friday night football games and backyard parties exists in the suburbs. In those areas, residents can bump into their friends at the local Tex-Mex restaurant, children ride their bikes, and joggers hit the pavement for evening runs. But even in the city proper, many people exude that Texas friendliness with a wave or a ‘hello’ to strangers,” read the report.
The list also pointed to the Dallas metro area’s ability to attract young professionals looking to progress their careers and allow families to live in a “close-knit community” in the suburbs.
Of course, as the Dallas area continues to attract companies and Californians fleeing their state, housing prices have surged, making the city relatively less affordable. Still, the report noted that Dallas-Fort Worth remains better value than other metro areas of similar size when accounting for household costs relative to median household income.
Nationally, Naples, Florida, topped the rankings. It was praised for its robust job market and high scores in the quality of life category.
- Naples, FL
- Boise, ID
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Greenville, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Huntsville, AL
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Austin, TX
- Boulder, CO
Within Texas, Austin landed the highest on the list, securing a spot among the top 10 cities in the country at #9. Outside of Dallas and Austin, plenty of other locations in the Lone Star State also made the cut.
- #48: McAllen
- #62: El Paso
- #77 Corpus Christi
- #87: Brownsville
- #89: San Antonio
- #97: Houston
- #99: Beaumont
- #107: Killeen
