Texas continues to prove its appeal as a place to live, with eight cities landing in U.S. News & World Report’s latest list of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2025–2026. Pearland, a Houston suburb, earned the No. 3 spot nationally.
Eight of Texas's towns made it into the top 25 of U.S. News & World Report's 2025–2026 Best Places to Live list, which is more than any other state.
Pearland, which was named third overall and praised for its low cost of living, good infrastructure, and top-notch hospitals, was in the lead. The neighborhood was more appealing because it featured cultural sites, such as the Pear-Scape Trail and the Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam temple.
League City came in right behind at No. 6. It is known for being affordable, boasting a wide range of stores and restaurants, and having a strong job market. Leander, which is close by, came in at No. 8 thanks to its fast population growth, diverse economy, and one-of-a-kind attraction: fossilized dinosaur tracks.
Other Texas towns on the list include Flower Mound (No. 14), which boasts a strong economy, a high income index, and easy access to jobs in the DFW area.
Pflugerville (No. 15) boasts good schools, clean air, and low crime rates. No. 16. Sugar Land is wealthy and has a high quality of life and value.McAllen (No. 20) has the lowest home prices of the top 25 cities and is a great place to live. Cedar Park (No. 23): ready for college, clean air, and lots of parks.
The rankings are based on responses from more than 3,000 people across the country who were surveyed. They examined factors such as safety, job opportunities, affordability, and quality of life, and Texas places continued to excel in these areas.
