U.S. News & World Report says this North Texas city is among best places to live
U.S. News & World Report’s list of the 25 Best Places to Live for the years 2025 - 2026 includes eight cities in Texas, with one North Texas city claiming a spot in the top 20.
U.S. News & World Report analyzes thousands of data points to inform residents about what to expect when it comes to housing affordability, job prospects, school quality and more.
This year the rankings were expanded to include small and mid-sized cities. Data was compiled through a survey of 3,000 Americans based on factors people would consider the most important. It was determined that people were highly interested in quality of life, value, desirability, job market and net migration.
Here’s the North Texas city that placed in the top 20.
Flower Mound ranks No. 14
Flower Mound took place in the top 20 for a variety of factors. The city has a thriving economy. U.S. News & World Report praised the city for its income index, listing it in the 98th percentile rank. The income index is backed by its place as the No. 30 job market in the U.S.
Although Flower Mound is in the the center of the D-FW area, it performs well in the value category. The city places No. 22 in the nation for housing affordability.
Flower Mound also took the top spot in another city ranking — Livability ranked it as the No. 1 place to live in America in 2025.
What made the other cities stand out?
Each of the seven other cities in Texas made their own impact on the list for different reasons. Here’s what made them stand out.
No. 23: Cedar Park
Top 5 percent for quality of life
Top 10 percent in the job market
Notable for it’s over 1,000 acres of parks
Home to the Austin Spurs and Texas Stars
No. 20: McAllen
Top 5 percent for desirability
No. 23 for value and quality of life
Notable for its vibrant diverse community
Stand out for housing affordability
No. 16: Sugar Land
Ranks high in all five categories
Notable for its resident prosperity and community safety
Top tier job market and income index
Notable for being the headquarters of Texas Instruments
No. 15: Pflugerville
Top 5 percent for air quality
Top 10 percent for its job market
Ranks high for quality of life
Notable for its great public schools
No. 8: Leander
No. 3 for net migration
Top 5 percent for job market
One of the fastest growing cities
Ranks high for quality of life
No. 6: League
Top 10 percent for culture and leisure
No. 12 for value
Top-ranking job market
99th percentile for housing affordability
No. 3: Pearland
Top 5 percent for value
Top 10 percent for quality of life
Top-rated hospitals
Notable for being home to Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam, a Hindu temple
This story was originally published June 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM.