The 7 best places to live in America in 2025 revealed
The seven best places to live in the US in 2025 have been chosen by Architectural Digest — and the results may surprise you.
From well-heeled suburbs to culturally rich cities, these hotspots were chosen for their livability, affordability, and friendly communities.
Also taken into consideration were the flourishing job markets in these areas, house prices, and for some, a steady warm climate.
These areas were found to have residents who were satisfied overall with their daily lives.
Crime rates, quality of education, quality and availability of health care, and commute times were also considered.
Some areas were popular for their focus on arts, design and entertainment.
Others were favored for their proximity to multiple metros.
From an Atlanta suburb that focuses on health and wellness to a rich cultural scene outside Washington D.C., the top places to live in America right now do not include any obvious spots.
1. Johns Creek, Georgia
Johns Creek, GA, consistently ranks among the best places to live in the US
Johns Creek offers residents access to world-class culture
Topping the list is this bucolic suburb of Atlanta, which boasts a booming job market and a median household income that, at $163,653, is more than double the national average.
Johns Creek offers residents access to world-class culture, like the nearby High Museum of Art, with architecture by Richard Meier and Renzo Piano. The suburb is only a 26 minute commute from Atlanta.
The town even has its own orchestra — the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra — and public art dotted throughout its parks and pedestrian trails.
According to Zillow, the median home price in Johns Creek is $899,000, considerably higher than the $442,992 national average per Redfin.
2. Carmel, Indiana
Carmel has the Carmel Arts & Design District and many free public events and art walks
Residents value the city’s safety, cleanliness, and well-maintained public spaces
Carmel has a thriving economy with a focus on healthcare, technology, and finance
With low crime, top-notch schools, and a thriving downtown arts district, this Indianapolis suburb is now a hotspot.
Carmel pairs safety and education with a buzzing Arts and Design District packed with galleries, boutiques, and public sculptures.
The area is also part of the Indiana Glass Trail, a celebration of the region’s glassmaking tradition spanning eight counties.
The suburb also has affordable housing options, with an average home value of around $254,412, according to Zillow.
3. Pearland, Texas
Pearland, TX, draws residents for its affordability, safety, and a high quality of life
The city provides a cost of living below the national average, with affordable housing options
Pearland is close to Galveston and provides convenient access to beach activities
Affordability is key in Pearland.
With a median property cost of $319,753, Pearland is drawing people who want to buy a home.
The suburb is just minutes from Houston and has a recently launched Cultural Arts Master Plan made to boost local artists, events, and create a downtown arts center.
The area also has a hot job market, with a 3.6 percent unemployment rate. This is well below the national average of 4.3 percent as of latest data from last month.
The average Pearland home value is $385,817, reports Zillow.
4. Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, MD is popular for its vibrant downtown and proximity to Washington D.C.
Bethesda is a hub for major institutions like the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda’s downtown area is a hub for restaurants, retailers, boutiques, and entertainment
This cultural gem sits just outside Washington, DC, and is considered a posh suburb.
It is close to the nation’s capital, but does have its own entertainment and nightlife.
Bethesda boasts a rich arts scene of its own, with the Strathmore concert hall, the Bethesda Theater, and the Round House Theatre.
It is also home to dozens of galleries and public art installations.
However it is not a cheap place to live, with its homes well out of the price range of many Americans.
In Bethesda, the typical home is worth $1,137,069.
5. Farmington Hills, Michigan
Farmington Hills consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the United States
Farmington Hills is also renowned for its rich history, cultural diversity, and thriving economy
Just 20 miles from Detroit, this cultural hub is all about its public art scene.
From the Unity Torch to City Moon, sculptures are sprinkled across the city, while art lovers gather each June for Art on the Grand.
Every October the town holds its Edgar Allan Poe–inspired Grand Raven Festival.
The average Farmington Hills home value is also just below the national average at $386,382 according to Zillow.
6. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is known for its friendly locals and downtown revitalization effort
Cedar Rapids include top-notch schools, a vibrant arts scene and a low crime rate
Cedar Rapids is within driving distance to Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Chicago
Best known as the hometown of American Gothic painter Grant Wood, Cedar Rapids leans into its artistic roots.
From the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, home to the largest Grant Wood collection in the world, to stained-glass windows and artwork hanging in local schools, art is a way of life here.
The city is also within driving distance to major cities Minneapolis, Kansas City and Chicago.
It also boasts affordable housing options. The average Cedar Rapids home value is $207,846, reports Zillow.
7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and most populous city of the state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is made of an eclectic mix of neighborhoods filled with diverse communities
Bricktown is a historic neighborhood renowned for its vibrant entertainment scene
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum features a lot of outdoor greenery
Oklahoma City keeps things affordable — with low housing costs and a solid job market.
Culture is booming in the city too, thanks to venues like the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and a vibrant performing arts scene.
The Paseo Arts District is a creative hotspot with 80 working artists and 20 studios hosting monthly art walks.
Plus, homes in the city are well below the US national average. The typical Oklahoma City home value is $205,970, reports Zillow.