There was steep competition for the best places to live in the U.S., but two Michigan cities made the cut.

Both Rochester Hills and Troy cracked the top 10 ranking thanks to their high quality of living. The rankings are put together by U.S. News and World Report–the list includes the top 250 places to live in the U.S. for the 2025-26 year.

Snagging the top spot this year is Johns Creek, Georgia. Check out our own rankings for a list of the top 10 places to live in metro Detroit. 

Other states made the top 10 best U.S. cities list twice, too. Cities in North Carolina, Texas and Indiana all appear multiple times. In addition, the cities all have similar sizes: none of the top 10 picks qualify as big cities. 

Read on for the list of the top 10 places to live in the U.S.

The rankings are calculated through a series of different factors and their importance to Americans based on surveys conducted by the U.S. News and World Report. The aspect with the most influence on the rankings is quality of life, made up of things like education, accessibility of healthcare and infrastructure. 

Crime rates, weather, housing affordability, the job market, culture and commuting are also factors used to calculate the rankings. For a full run down, visit the U.S. News and World Report’s methodology page. 

Each city is ranked using a special methodology created by the U.S. News and World Report. The news organization also gives an overall score for each city out of 10. For a full ranking of the top 250 U.S. cities, visit U.S. News and World Report. 

This northeastern suburb of Atlanta takes the top spot for good reason. The city is committed to the health and wellness of its citizens and is surrounded by parks and nature reserves. 

North of Indianapolis, this city is known for its access to award-winning parks, cultural events and year-round festivals. Its residents also enjoy proximity to some of the best schools in the state. 

Pearland is located within the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. It is one of the fastest growing cities in all of Texas thanks to its good schools, safety and employment opportunities. 

This high-ranking Indiana city is also one of the fastest growing towns in the state. Residents have access to great greenspace and community facilities, too. 

A growing economic hub, Cary, North Carolina, is fast becoming home to world renowned businesses. Cary also stands out for its premier amateaur sports venues.

This picturesque city on the water is located 30 miles south of Houston. Residents enjoy its natural resources, including scenic bodies of water primed for sailing, jet skiing and kayaking.

With plenty of outdoor activities, historical spaces and thriving businesses, it’s no wonder Apex, North Carolina is ranked among the top 10. 

Leander, Texas, was the fastest growing city in both 2019 and 2020. Residents enjoy the quiet and community of a small town and the proximity to the bustling city of Austin, Texas. 

A picturesque suburb of Detroit, this city is known for its strong sense of community. Rochester Hills is also home to Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, a major concert venue in metro Detroit. 

Home to some of the best ranked schools in the state, Troy, Michigan, is also a bustling economic hub.

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