U.S. News report of best places to live in the U.S. dominated by Dallas-area suburbs, including best city in Texas

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Colby Smith

 ·  May 20, 2026

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Each year, U.S. News analyzes 850 cities across the country in an effort to determine the very best places to live in the United States. Populating the top slots in this year’s list were Dallas-area suburbs. Topping out at No. 3 on the list, North Texas cities scored big in terms of quality of life, affordability, and job opportunities.

As stated the report annually evaluates 850 cities across the country. Analyzing thousands of data points from public and private sources as well as government statistics, the report key evaluation factors include:

• Employment opportunities
• Quality of schools
• Housing affordabiity
• Cost of living
• Average commute times
• Weather and quality of life

Factoring in these key points, the report assigns cities with a score between 0 – 10.

According to the U.S. News report, Flower Mound is the best city to live in Texas. Ranked as the No. 1 best small city to live in the U.S. and No. 3 best overall place to live in the U.S., the DFW-area city scored so highly in part due to its affordability.

That is, the Flower Mound population’s median household income is more than double the national average – ranking in the 98th percentile; the median home value, however, is around $553,334, resulting in an exceptional value to affordability ratio.

Also in the top 10, is Frisco. Ranked as the No. 9 best place to live in the U.S., and No. 3 best medium-sized city in the U.S., Frisco’s high placement was driven largely by its incredibly high scores in two specific metrics: Desirability and Quality of Life, backed by a thriving local economy.

Other Dallas-area suburbs that ranked on the the list include:

• McKinney (No. 17)
• Allen (No. 23)
• Mansfield (No. 25)
• Carrollton (No. 33)
• North Richland Hills (No. 43)
• Wylie (No. 51)
• Plano (No. 63)
• Rowlett (No. 83)

The top 20 best places to live in the U.S. according to the U.S. News report are as such:

1. Carmel, IN
2. Fishers, IN
3. Flower Mound, TX
4. Ankeny, IA
5. Johns Creek, GA
6. Hoover, AL
7. Rochester Hills, MI
8. Leander, TX
9. Frisco, TX
10. Sugar Land, TX
11. Cary, NC
12. Troy, MI
13. League City, TX
14. Parkland, FL
15. Buffalo Grove, IL
16. Pearland, TX
17. McKinney, TX
18. Noblesville, IN
19. Broken Arrow, OK
20. Apex, NC

See also: Highland Park withdraws from DART as a first for Dallas in over 35 years