The 25 Best Places to Live in the US (2026-2027)

Each year U.S. News & World Report releases a list of the best places to live in the US. While typically these top-rated locales include a number of big players, like Miami and New York, in the most recent list, suburbs reign supreme and major metropolises are notably absent. To determine the best cities in the country, U.S. News considers a multitude of factors, including quality of life, the local job market, value for your money, and the place’s desirability. And while we agree that all these factors are important in determining where to live in America—which is also ranked on AD’s list of best countries to live in—we’d also throw access to art and design into the mix. That’s why we used the U.S. News list as a jumping-off point—zeroing in on the best places for design lovers among them.Before you read on, a little more about the methodology:What is the most livable city in the USA?Carmel, Indiana, earned the No. 1 spot on the U.S. News list thanks in large part to a healthy job market. In this suburb about 20 miles north of Indianapolis, unemployment is lower than the national average, and the median household income is higher: $144,615, compared with $83,181. Plus, Carmel packs on the Midwestern charm, with friendly residents, a walkable downtown, and safe neighborhoods. The schools are excellent here as well. Carmel High School landed on the U.S. News Best High Schools list. And though homes in Carmel are pricier than the national average ($477,625 compared with $359,870), you get plenty for the money.Cities with the best quality of lifeU.S. News determines quality of life based on how satisfied residents are with their daily lives, considering factors such as crime rates, quality of education, quality and availability of health care, and commute times. Tamarac, Florida, ranked No. 1 for quality of life, with Palo Alto, California; Doral, Florida; and Bethesda, Maryland (included on our list below), right behind it. For those who want quality of life outside of the US, consider our list of the best countries for Americans to move to.Where is the nicest place to live in the US with affordable housing?On a separate U.S. News list of The Most Affordable Places to Live in the US, Eagle Pass, Texas, took top honors. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, landed in the top 20 (at spot 12) and is included on our list below. But within the Best Places to Live list, U.S. News examined each city’s median annual household income compared with home prices in the area. And as you’ll see below, good design and affordable real estate aren’t mutually exclusive. Average housing costs in Ankeny, Iowa; Pearland, Texas; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; El Paso, Texas; Appleton, Wisconsin; Farmington Hills, Michigan; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are below the national average, and all of these places have landed on our design-centric list.What is the number-one place to live in the US for design lovers?We chose our top 25 from the U.S. News list based on access to museums, art, cultural institutions, and top-notch architecture. We also considered which cities best fuel creative energy and make the best places to live for designers, artists, and innovators.What is the number-one state to live in the US?Indiana is a highly celebrated state, claiming the first two spots on the U.S. News list with Carmel and Fishers. Texas also makes a number of appearances in the top 10, thanks to Flower Mound, Leander, Frisco, and Sugar Land. But in a separate U.S. News list of the Best States, the top honor goes to Utah, which earns high marks for its fiscal stability, infrastructure, and excellent education.AD’s top cities to live in the USA in 2026–2027Carmel, IndianaU.S. News & World Report ranking: 1st