Johns Creek, Ga., is the best place to live in the country, followed by Carmel, Ind., according to U.S. News & World Report‘s “250 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2026-26” list, published May 20.
To compile the list, U.S. News looked at several factors, including city value, desirability, job market, average commute, population, median home value and overall quality of life. Read more about the methodology here.
The 25 best places to live in the U.S., per the ranking:
1. Johns Creek, Ga.
2. Carmel, Ind.
3. Pearland, Texas
4. Fishers, Ind.
5. Cary, N.C.
6. League City, Texas
7. Apex, N.C.
8. Leander, Texas
9. Rochester Hills, Mich.
10. Troy, Mich.
11. Sammamish, Wash.
12. Broken Arrow, Okla.
13. Ellicott City, Md.
14. Flower Mound, Texas
15. Pflugerville, Texas
16. Sugar Land, Texas
17. Plymouth, Minn.
18. Ankeny, Iowa
19. West Hartford, Conn.
20. McAllen, Texas
21. Bethesda, Md.
22. Edmond, Oklah.
23. Cedar Park, Texas
24. Alpharetta, Ga.
25. Hoover, Ala.
View the full list here.
