The latest national rankings reveal that the most sought-after places to live in the United States are predominantly in states governed by Republicans, challenging the reputation of urban areas under Democratic leadership.
A recent study by US News & World Report indicates that nine out of the top ten best places to live are situated in states that traditionally vote Republican. Only one city from a state leaning towards a Democratic trend managed to make the list.
This analysis, which assessed 250 locations across the nation based on factors like affordability, job prospects, desirability, and quality of life, found that sprawling suburbs in Texas, Indiana, Georgia, and Alabama rose to the top.
These areas have become popular destinations for families escaping the steep housing costs, crime rates, and declining quality of life found in many large coastal cities.
Less renowned towns have witnessed a surge of newcomers leaving behind the high crime rates, soaring real estate prices, and escalating living expenses of major urban centers in Democratic strongholds.
The increasing prevalence of remote work has enabled many Americans to move to expansive suburban locales in lower-tax states led by Republicans.
At the top of the list were the neighboring Indianapolis suburbs Carmel and Fishers, which claimed the number one and two spots respectively.
According to US News, Carmel earned especially high marks for affordability, desirability and its strong job market, while Fishers stood out for quality of life and relative affordability.
Carmel, Indiana topped the national rankings thanks to its strong job market, affluent suburban lifestyle, highly rated schools and reputation for safety and affordability
Fishers, Indiana ranked second after rapidly growing into one of the Midwest’s most sought-after family suburbs with expanding tech investment and high quality-of-life scores
‘The 2026-2027 Best Places to Live rankings offer consumers a look at places throughout the U.S that might meet their needs for livability best,’ Erika Giovanetti, an analyst at US News & World Report, said in a release announcing the rankings.
‘Carmel and Fishers, Indiana, are two neighboring locations that offer residents a good quality of life without breaking the bank,’ she added.
The broader list paints a striking political map with Texas landing four cities in the top 10: Flower Mound and Frisco in the Dallas suburbs, Leander just outside of Austin and Sugar Land south of Houston.
Meanwhile, Johns Creek north of Atlanta, Georgia, Hoover outside of Birmingham, Alabama and Ankeny north of Des Moines, Iowa also made the cut.
The lone exception was Rochester Hills, an affluent Detroit suburb located in politically divided Michigan that was narrowly won by Donald Trump in 2024.
Even then, Rochester Hills itself is hardly a progressive enclave. The suburb has historically leaned Republican, though it has become more politically competitive in recent years as Oakland County has shifted.
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Flower Mound, Texas earned a top-three finish as the upscale Dallas-area suburb continues attracting families with low crime, strong schools and spacious housing developments
Ankeny, Iowa made the list as one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Iowa, benefiting from affordability and steady economic growth near Des Moines
The city of Johns Creek, Georgia ranked highly for its affluent neighborhoods, booming Atlanta-area economy and strong public school system
The rankings are likely to intensify debate over whether Americans are continuing to migrate away from expensive Democrat-run urban centers toward suburban communities in lower-tax Republican states.
Many of the cities on the list share similar characteristics: newer housing stock, relatively low crime, strong schools and family-oriented suburban developments.
Carmel, Indiana for example, has become nationally known for its manicured neighborhoods, massive network of roundabouts and booming corporate growth north of Indianapolis.
Fishers has aggressively marketed itself as a fast-growing technology and innovation hub while maintaining suburban schools and sprawling residential developments popular with young families.
Texas cities on the list have similarly benefited from explosive migration in recent years.
Rochester Hills, Michigan was the lone city in the top 10, situated on the outskirts of the affluent Democratic city of Detroit
Hoover secured a top-10 spot with its combination of suburban shopping hubs, stable housing market and family-focused communities outside Birmingham, Alabama
Sugar Land, Texas rounded out the top 10 as the diverse Houston-area suburb attracted professionals seeking larger homes, strong schools and lower costs than coastal cities
Frisco, north of Dallas, 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, while Sugar Land – one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse suburbs – has become a magnet for affluent professionals seeking larger homes and lower costs than coastal metros.
Flower Mound consistently ranks highly for schools, public safety and family living.
The report’s findings come as Democratic-led cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City continue battling voter frustration over housing affordability, homelessness, public safety and cost-of-living pressures.
