17 Florida cities make U.S. News’ top 250 places to live — None of them are Orlando, Miami or Tampa

Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

Fri, May 30, 2025 at 3:37 PM EDT2 min read

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Seventeen Florida cities placed among the best places to live in the U.S., according to the U.S. News & World Report's "2025-2026 Best Places to Live" ranking.

The publication analyzed 859 cities in the U.S. based on five categories: quality of life, job market, value of living, net migration and desire to live in the area. They said they evaluated each category by using a methodology determined by Americans' preferences.

"While quality of life remains the top priority for many Americans – and has the heaviest weight in determining the Best Places to Live rankings – U.S. News slightly adjusted its weights to increase priority for a location's job market amid heightened economic uncertainty," Erika Giovanetti, consumer lending analyst at U.S. News & World Report, said in a May 20 statement.

You can read more about the methodology on U.S. News' website.

Which Florida cities were placed on U.S. News's list? Which one is the best?

Florida doesn't see a spot on the list until 59 — Parkland. According to the methodology, the South Florida city saw a score of 6.4 out of 10.

The Villages saw a slot on the ranking before Orlando, Tampa or Miami. Here are all 17 Florida cities on the list:

• Parkland - 59
• Palm Harbor - 68
• Weston - 74
• Jupiter - 124
• Ormond Beach - 162
• Pensacola - 166
• The Villages - 177
• Naples - 179
• Riverview - 198
• Bonita Spring - 203
• Pinellas Park - 126
• Kendall - 219
• Apopka - 221
• Doral - 227
• Clermont - 241
• North Port - 242
• St. Petersburg - 246

What is the best place to live in the U.S., according to the list?

JOHNS CREEK, GA - AUGUST 14: Keegan Bradley celebrates his victory over Jason Dufner during a three-hole playoff during the final round of the 93rd PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club on August 14, 2011 in Johns Creek, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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Only about a state away from Florida, Georgia's Johns Creek is the U.S. News and World Report's top place to live in.

"Just north of Atlanta, Johns Creek is the kind of place where tree-lined streets, a strong sense of community and a high quality of life come together to make it one of the nation’s most desirable places to call home," the report says.

See the top 10 best places to live in the U.S.

1. Johns Creek, Georgia
2. Carmel, Indiana
3. Pearland, Texas
4. Fishers, Indiana
5. Cary, North Carolina
6. League City, Texas
7. Apex, North Carolina
8. Leander, Texas
9. Rochester Hills, Michigan
10. Troy, Michigan