FLORIDA – A new national ranking has highlighted dozens of Florida communities for their quality of life, economic opportunities and overall appeal to residents.
U.S. News & World Report has included 22 Florida cities in its 2026-2027 Best Places to Live rankings, a report that evaluated more than 850 cities and metropolitan areas across the United States.
The annual ranking measures communities using factors such as affordability, desirability, local job markets and overall quality of life.
Parkland earned the highest ranking among Florida cities, placing No. 14 nationwide.
The South Florida community was followed by Palm Harbor at No. 62, Weston at No. 70 and Riverview at No. 97.
Several other Florida locations also secured spots within the national rankings, reflecting the state’s continued popularity among homebuyers, retirees and relocating families.
Cities recognized in the report include Pensacola, Spring Hill, Kendall, Alafaya, Doral, Crestview, Jupiter, Apopka, The Villages, Homosassa Springs, Naples, Brandon, Clermont, Wellington, Tampa, Ormond Beach, Pembroke Pines and Bonita Springs.
According to U.S. News, the rankings are based on a combination of public data and consumer surveys that measure what residents value most when choosing where to live.
Researchers evaluated housing affordability, access to employment, education, healthcare, infrastructure and community desirability when determining the final rankings.
The report found that many Florida cities continue to benefit from strong population growth, economic development and desirable lifestyles that attract new residents from around the country.
Communities from South Florida, Central Florida, the Tampa Bay region and the Florida Panhandle were all represented on the list.
The rankings provide a snapshot of how Florida cities compare with other communities nationwide as population growth and migration trends continue to reshape the state’s housing market.