Americans move for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s seeking better work-life balance, a more affordable lifestyle, or even a fresh start after a breakup.
Each year, US News & World Report offers a resource to those contemplating such a big change by evaluating 150 American cities on several factors to determine the best places to move.
The publication considers factors including employment opportunities, housing affordability, quality of life, and school rankings.
Johns Creek, Georgia, tops the 2025 list of best places to live for its strong job market and high “desirability” score, a custom index created by US News & World Report to rank factors like weather, accessibility of culture, and average commute times for residents.
The small Atlanta suburb of 81,000 people has been home to stars like Jeff Foxworthy and Usher, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Carmel, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis, took second place. The town of just over 103,000 residents previously went viral on TikTok for its massive high school that featured amenities for students like an auto shop, radio station, jewelry-making room, and even a planetarium.
Texas has three cities in the top 10, with Pearland and League City, two suburbs of Houston, and Leander, a suburb of Austin, taking the third, sixth, and eighth spots, respectively.
Here are the 15 best places to live in the US, according to US News & World Report. Residents find plenty to like about these cities, including affordable homes, career opportunities, and relaxed lifestyles.
Sources: Population and income data are from the US Census, median home price from Realtor.com, and median rent from Zillow.
15. Pflugerville, Texas
Population of the metro area: 66,819
Median home price: $395,300
Average monthly rent: $2,195
Median household income: $112,656
Known for: A growing area outside Austin, Pflugerville has more than 56 miles of recreational trails, including those surrounding the 180-acre Lake Pflugerville. The nearby Typhoon Texas Waterpark is also an annual draw for locals and visitors alike.
14. Flower Mound, Texas
Population of the metro area: 79,990
Median home price: $645,600
Average monthly rent: $2,890
Median household income: $157,737
Known for: Named for a local hill covered in wildflowers, the Dallas suburb of Flower Mound is known for its small-town charm just outside the big city. The area boasts a strong public school system and a robust calendar of community events, including a summer concert series.
13. Ellicott City, Maryland
Population of the metro area: 75,947 (as of 2020)
Median home price: $769,000
Average monthly rent: $2,812
Median household income: $157,891
Known for: Under 30 minutes from the bustle of Baltimore sits quaint Ellicott City. Several buildings from the 19th century remain, and there are museums dedicated to everything from turn-of-the-century firefighting to the country’s oldest surviving railroad station.
12. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Population of the metro area: 122,756
Median home price: $355,000
Average monthly rent: $1,750
Median household income: $85,220
Known for: One of Tulsa’s suburbs, Broken Arrow has long connections to the Muscogee people, who settled in the area after the US government forced them to move from Alabama along the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. Today, its downtown has boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and an annual festival, Rooster Days, that’s been held for over 90 years.
11. Sammamish, Washington
Population of the metro area: 66,474
Median home price: $1.9 million
Average monthly rent: $3,845
Median household income: $227,273
Climate Vulnerability Index: 1st percentile, lowest vulnerability
Known for: This picturesque city, home to both the glittering Lake Sammamish and verdant forests, is just a short drive from Seattle. Locals enjoy recreational activities including boating, fishing, and hiking in its multiple parks.
10. Troy, Michigan
Population of the metro area: 89,209
Median home price: $462,500
Average monthly rent: $2,200
Median household income: $119,299
Known for: Not far from Detroit, Troy is home to many companies that support the automotive industry. Somerset Collection is the city’s mall, where you’ll find upscale stores including Christian Louboutin, Rolex, Versace, and more.
9. Rochester Hills, Michigan
Population of the metro area: 78,330
Median home price: $467,000
Average monthly rent: $1,800
Median household income: $119,054
Known for: With a charming downtown, plenty of nature trails, and a popular cider mill, Rochester Hills has activities for all of Michigan’s four seasons. Meadow Brook Amphitheater brings in an eclectic mix of summer concerts, from big-name bands to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
8. Leander, Texas
Population of the metro area: 87,511
Median home price: $403,800
Average monthly rent: $2,195
Median household income: $140,180
Known for: One of the fastest-growing spots in the county, Leander draws people with its good schools and natural beauty. It’s a 30-minute drive or a commuter-rail ride from Austin.
7. Apex, North Carolina
Population of the metro area: 75,977
Median home price: $596,000
Average monthly rent: $2,250
Median household income: $138,442
Known for: Apex, North Carolina, a 25-minute drive to Raleigh, is one of the smaller cities on the list, by population, but has a better job market than the national average, according to US News.
6. League City, Texas
Population of the metro area: 118,456
Median home price: $343,800
Average monthly rent: $2,200
Median household income: $119,870
Known for: League City, Texas, is about 26 miles south of Houston and only 30 miles from beaches along the Gulf. It rated highly for value and desirability, according to US News.
5. Cary, North Carolina
Population of the metro area: 182,659
Median home price: $701,500
Average monthly rent: $2,120
Median household income: $129,399
Known for: A suburb of Raleigh, Cary is part of North Carolina’s research triangle and attracts people from all over the country — and world — for its robust job market and laid-back lifestyle.
4. Fishers, Indiana
Population of the metro area: 103,986
Median home price: $406,400
Average monthly rent: $2,175
Median household income: $128,141
Known for: Located about 20 miles outside Indianapolis, Fishers has a growing number of tech jobs.
3. Pearland, Texas
Population of the metro area: 129,620
Median home price: $368,900
Average monthly rent: $2,300
Median household income: $112,470
Known for: One of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, Pearland has had its population increase from approximately 19,000 residents to over 100,000 in the last 20 years. It’s a suburb of Houston.
2. Carmel, Indiana
Population of the metro area: 103,606
Median home price: $516,600
Average monthly rent: $2,199
Median household income: $134,602
Known for: Carmel, which has a nice civic square, an art and design district, and a network of walking and biking trails, has recently drawn new residents. In 2023, a TikTok video that showed off the local high school’s swanky facilities, from big athletic facilities to a radio studio to a café, went viral.
1. Johns Creek, Georgia
Population of the metro area: 81,167
Median home price: $637,500
Average monthly rent: $2,750
Median household income: $160,185
Known for: About 40 minutes north of Atlanta, Johns Creek is the 10th largest city in Georgia and the safest. Fun fact: It wasn’t incorporated until 2006.
