U.S. News & World Report released its roundup of the best places to live in America for 2026 and 2027, a compilation of 250 cities praised for their excelling job markets, housing affordability, costs of living, quality of education as well as culture and leisure opportunities. Among those 250 communities? The Top 10 rankings included a whopping four Texas cities heralded for their live-work-play balance.
Among those, the North Texas city of Flower Mound ranked No. 3 in America, with specific kudos for its ample job market alongside a low unemployment rate and high median household incomes. Home to more than 77,000 people, Flower Mound’s high quality of living includes a median home value of $553,334 as well as a median rent of $1,822.
Trailing behind at No. 8 nationally but second among Texas cities is the North Austin suburb of Leander, similarly lauded for its strong job market, minimal unemployment rate and robust median household incomes. Its population nears 82,000 residents, with a median home value of $495,712 compounded by a median monthly rent rate of $1,620.
Texas continued its momentum with Frisco and Sugar Land rounding out at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively. More than 229,000 people call Frisco home, with a median home value of $627,426 compounded by a monthly rent of $1,756. Its median household income, listed at $152,749, lands at almost double the national rate.
Sugar Land, a Houston-area suburb, welcomes more than 182,000 people and features a median household income of $136,700, a median home value of $570,890 and a median rent of $1,564.