A new national ranking from US News & World Report reveals that the most desirable places to live in the United States are overwhelmingly located in Republican-run states, dealing a blow to the image of Democrat-led urban America. The report found that nine of the top ten best places to live are in red states, with only one city from a politically mixed, blue-trending state making the list.
Ranking Methodology and Results
The rankings evaluated 250 locations across the country based on affordability, job opportunities, desirability, and quality of life. The top spots were dominated by sprawling suburbs in Texas, Indiana, Georgia, and Alabama. These areas have increasingly attracted families fleeing sky-high housing prices, crime concerns, and deteriorating quality of life in major coastal cities. The rise of remote work has enabled more Americans to relocate to lower-tax, Republican-led states.
Topping the list were the neighboring Indianapolis suburbs Carmel and Fishers, claiming the number one and two spots, respectively. Carmel earned high marks for affordability, desirability, and its strong job market, while Fishers stood out for quality of life and relative affordability. According to Erika Giovanetti, an analyst at US News & World Report, these locations offer residents a good quality of life without breaking the bank.
Political Map of Top Cities
The broader list paints a striking political map. Texas landed four cities in the top ten: Flower Mound and Frisco in the Dallas suburbs, Leander just outside of Austin, and Sugar Land south of Houston. Other cities included Johns Creek north of Atlanta, Georgia; Hoover outside of Birmingham, Alabama; and Ankeny north of Des Moines, Iowa. The lone exception was Rochester Hills, an affluent Detroit suburb in politically divided Michigan, which was narrowly won by Donald Trump in 2024. Even then, Rochester Hills itself has historically leaned Republican, though it has become more competitive in recent years.
Many of the cities on the list share similar characteristics: newer housing stock, relatively low crime, strong schools, and family-oriented suburban developments. For example, Carmel has become nationally known for its manicured neighborhoods, massive network of roundabouts, and booming corporate growth. Fishers has marketed itself as a fast-growing technology and innovation hub, while Texas cities have benefited from explosive migration. Frisco has transformed from a quiet suburb into one of America’s fastest-growing cities, fueled by corporate relocations and major sports developments. Leander has ballooned alongside the Texas tech boom, and Sugar Land has become a magnet for affluent professionals seeking larger homes and lower costs.
The findings come as Democrat-led cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York continue battling voter frustration over housing affordability, homelessness, public safety, and cost-of-living pressures. The rankings are likely to intensify debate over whether Americans are continuing to migrate away from expensive urban centers toward suburban communities in lower-tax Republican states.
