EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso has earned some national recognition and buzz.

The Sun City has been ranked the No. 2 best large city to live in the country for 2025-26, according to a national ranking from U.S. News and World Report and highlighted in the past week by Business Insider.

The ranking evaluated cities with populations above 500,000 using factors such as quality of life, value, desirability, job market, and migration, the City of El Paso said.

“This moment speaks to who we are as a City and where we are headed,” Mayor Renard U. Johnson said. “We are proud to see El Paso recognized on a national level, and will keep doing the work to build and even stronger future for our community.”

El Paso was ranked alongside other major cities across the country, with Texas cities performing especially well overall, the City said.

The factors highlighted in the ranking closely align with what residents identified in the City’s most recent community survey as important to their daily lives, including quality of life, affordability, public safety, economic mobility, and overall community well-being, the City said.

According to the ranking, El Paso stood out for its combination of value and livability, including relatively affordable housing and lower median rent compared with other top-ranked large cities, the City said.

“We know rankings are only one measure, but this recognition reinforces the strengths that continue to make El Paso a place people are proud to call home,” City Manager Dionne Mack said. “The City will continue investing in the priorities that matter most to residents, including infrastructure, public safety, economic mobility, and quality of life.”

The City of El Paso continues to advance work aligned with mayor and City Council priorities to strengthen neighborhoods, support economic opportunity, improve infrastructure, and enhance quality of life across the community, the City said.

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