The No. 1 “best” city to live in America is a Chicago suburb, according to a new ranking.
School and community ratings and review site Niche released its “2026 Best Places to Live in America” report Tuesday, analyzing more than 230 cities and 18,000 locations nationwide. The rankings, editors said, use “a blend of comprehensive public data and millions of resident reviews, helping over 70 million people each year make more informed decisions about where to live.”
Naperville ranked at the top of the report’s “Best Cities” to live in, marking the third consecutive year to do so.
“This year’s top-ranked places are smaller, walkable communities within major metro areas, giving residents access to jobs, amenities, and transit while maintaining connected neighborhoods,” the list said. “Many have populations under 15,000, as demand grows for places that balance urban convenience with neighborhood livability.”
On the report’s “Best Places” to live in America, the Chicago suburb of Clarendon Hills ranked at No. 5.
According to Nice, the best places and best cities were ranked based on a number of factors, including crime, quality of schools, things to do and cost of living.
The report defines “Cities” as municipal areas with populations of 100,000 or more, editors wrote.
“‘Places’ is a broader category that includes neighborhoods, suburbs, and towns—offering a more detailed, local view within larger metro areas,” the report said.
Below are the report’s “Best Places” and “Best Cities” to live in America:
2026 Best Places to Live in America:
- Atlantic Station, GA
- Colonial Village, VA
- Evergreen Park, CA
- Downtown North, CA
- Clarendon Hills, IL
2026 Best Cities to Live in America:
- Naperville, IL
- Cambridge, MA
- The Woodlands, TX
- Arlington, VA
- Bellevue, WA
