Houston, Dallas make America’s Top 10 best cities; Austin misses cut

According to Resonance Consultancy’s 2026 America’s Best Cities report, Dallas ranked No. 8 and Houston ranked No. 9 among the nation’s top metropolitan areas. Austin, meanwhile, came in just outside the Top 10 at No. 11.

The Top 10 cities in the overall ranking were New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston and Boston.

The annual report evaluated all 393 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States using a mix of economic data, quality-of-life metrics and public perception surveys. Resonance said it measured factors including housing affordability, healthcare access, restaurants, nightlife, major employers and job opportunities to “help cities see what’s working, what isn’t, and where to act next.”

Dallas earned its Top 10 finish thanks largely to its economic strength. The report ranked Dallas fourth nationally for prosperity, behind only New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Houston also performed well economically, ranking eighth for prosperity, while earning high marks for its food scene, nightlife and cultural attractions.

Houston’s placement also represents a notable jump from last year. According to Houston First, the city climbed from No. 13 to No. 9 in the latest rankings.

“Houston’s higher ranking reflects a strong city that is getting stronger every day,” Mayor John Whitmire said in a statement to Houston First. “It shows that we are meeting our challenges and moving in the right direction.”

The rankings also reinforce Texas’ growing reputation as an economic powerhouse. Resonance noted that Dallas ranked third nationally, Austin fifth and Houston seventh when Americans were asked where they believe the best job opportunities exist.

“The cities winning the competition for residents are, almost without exception, also the cities that have invested most deliberately in being lovable,” Resonance President Chris Fair said in the report. “We hope this report serves as both a mirror and a map—reflecting where your city stands, and pointing toward where the greatest opportunities for growth and differentiation lie ahead.”