Each year U.S. News & World Report releases a list of the best cities in the country, chronicling some 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, 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. We’ve also kept some picks from last year’s U.S. News ranking that have since fallen off, since they’re still excellent home bases for the culturally curious.
Before you read on, a little more about the methodology:
What is the most livable city in the USA?
Johns Creek, Georgia, earned top honors on the U.S. News list thanks to its flourishing job market, affordable housing, and mild climate (more on all of this below). Last year’s number-one, Naples, Florida, remains the top spot on the Best Places to Retire list.
Cities with the best quality of life
U.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. Brooklinen, Massachusetts, scored highest for quality of life, with Newton, Massachusetts; Bethesda, Maryland (included on our list below); Bellevue, Washington; and Malden, Massachusetts, 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 25 Best Affordable Places to Live in the US, Decatur, Illinois, ranked number one. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, also made the top 25 (at spot 17) 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 to 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 Pearland, Texas; Farmington Hills, Michigan; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Oklahoma City, 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 33 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?
Texas has a major presence on the U.S. News list, with three cities in the top 10 (Pearland, League City, and Leander), more than any other state. Michigan, North Carolina, and Indiana follow behind with two cities each in the top 10. Interestingly, however, the Lone Star State is not the number-one pick on a separate U.S. News list of the Best States (and it didn’t even make the top 10). That honor goes to Utah, thanks in part to its fiscal stability, infrastructure, and excellent education. On our own AD list, Georgia has three top cities: Johns Creek, Atlanta, and Savannah.
AD’s top cities to live in the USA in 2025–2026
Johns Creek, Georgia
U.S. News & World Report ranking: 1st