From small towns to major metros, the places rated most highly tend to stand out for similar reasons.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans agree the most desirable places to live have low crime rates (67%) and a low cost of living (65%). The best places to live also have these qualities:

Low crime rates rose to the top of the list after ranking second in 2025 behind good weather, which dropped a whopping 10 percentage points to No. 3 (57%). Although good weather does make a place more desirable, it's not a necessity in times of political and economic turmoil.

Instead, Americans say the most desirable traits are safety and affordability. Boomers (78%) are considerably more likely than millennials (49%) and Gen Z (39%) to view low crime rates as a desirable quality, likely due to heightened safety concerns as they age.

Meanwhile, younger generations tend to prioritize affordability. Roughly 53% of millennials say a low cost of living is the most desirable trait, while 45% of Gen Z say the same about low housing costs.

If the most desirable places to live are considered safe and affordable, the most undesirable places are described as the opposite, with high crime rates (73%) and high cost of living (68%) topping the list

The worst places to live, according to Americans, have these traits in common:

More than 1 in 4 Americans (27%) also say a place that has loose regulations regarding the construction of data centers is undesirable as concerns grow over their energy use and environmental impact.

Nashville is striking a chord with Americans. More than 1 in 5 (21.4%) say it is the most desirable city in the United States for the second year in a row, edging Denver for the top spot by 0.4%.

Music City hits all the right notes, with a growing number of job opportunities, an iconic food scene with its signature hot chicken dish, and a vibrant entertainment district packed with bars and live music.

Unlike many large metropolitan areas, Nashville has managed to grow without losing the community atmosphere that made it appealing in the first place. Americans (22%) say it is the second-friendliest city in the U.S.

Nashville's popularity, however, has come at a cost. The typical home price is now $484,252, about 21% more than the U.S. median of $399,771. Even still, Nashville is more affordable than New York, San Francisco, and other large urban areas while offering comparable nightlife, amenities, and job opportunities.

Nashville is often regarded as a top city for young adults, but it's a surprising 28% of boomers who rank Nashville as their top city. Only 13% of millennials and 11% of Gen Z say the same. Rather, they rank Seattle (22%) and Chicago (27%) as their most desirable cities, respectively.

Honolulu is riding a wave of popularity to the top of the most desirable midsize cities list. Hawaii's capital city earned votes from 24% of Americans, but that's down significantly from 32% the year before.

As Americans grapple with the rising costs of goods and services, the paradise price is getting harder to justify. Honolulu claimed the top spot by just 1 percentage point over Colorado Springs — a compelling alternative for those looking for natural beauty at a fraction of the price.

The West dominates the rankings, claiming six of the top 10 spots. These midsize cities provide many of the same draws as major Western hubs like Denver, Phoenix, and Seattle but with more space, lower costs, and comparable outdoor recreation.

In fact, nearly all of the most desirable midsize cities have easy access to nature, from the deserts of Tucson to the marshes of Charleston and the sandy beaches of Sarasota.

Public perception is blowing against Chicago, with more than 1 in 4 Americans (27%) ranking the Windy City among the least desirable in the U.S.

Chicago manages to check every box that makes a city undesirable, but it comes under the most intense criticism for its stance on crime. Chicago has had a violent reputation since the mob days of Al Capone, and its large population generates high crime numbers that often create negative perceptions. Although violent crime remains high in Chicago, it has actually declined for two years in a row, falling to a decade low in 2025.

Crime rates may be improving, but there's no changing the city's long, cold winters. Nearly half of Americans (48%) say bad weather makes a place undesirable, making Chicago a tough sell for anyone who hates snow and frigid temperatures.

Chicago also has a high cost of living and some of the heftiest sales and property taxes among major metros areas in the U.S.

Together, these concerns may be pushing some residents to leave. About 418,351 residents migrated out of Chicago last year, the fourth-most among all cities studied. Chicago hasn't lost its appeal completely, though. Despite ranking at the bottom in overall desirability, it is the most desirable city among Gen Z, with more than 1 in 4 (27%) saying it's a top-five place to live in the U.S.

Florida is the most desirable state in the U.S. for the third year in a row, with nearly a third of Americans (32%), millennials (33%), and boomers (30%) naming it one of the best places to live.

California remains the runner-up, although its appeal has declined significantly. The percentage of Americans who ranked it as desirable dropped from 33% in 2025 to 24% in 2026.

California's decline in popularity has allowed Florida to cement its position as the most desirable state. The Sunshine State now leads by 8 percentage points, after holding just a 1-point advantage over California last year.

Although both states have lots of sunshine, year-round warm weather, and beautiful beaches, California's high cost of living may be a major turnoff as inflation climbs to its highest point in years.

California and New York represent opposite coasts and very different cultures, but they do have one thing in common: Americans rank them as the most undesirable states in the U.S.

No state is universally loved, but in California and New York, the haters far outweigh the supporters. About 33% percent of Americans say California is an undesirable state, compared to 24% who say it's desirable. New York fares even worse, with twice as many respondents viewing it as undesirable (33%) compared to desirable (15%).

With more than half of Americans saying high living costs (68%), high taxes (66%), and expensive housing (59%) make a place undesirable, it's no surprise these two states top the list.

Affordability, however, doesn't guarantee desirability. Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Texas are all cheaper alternatives, but they face other challenges that hinder their national appeal.

The U.S. is full of remarkable cities, but only a few receive national recognition. Nashville is known for its music, San Francisco its tech, and Austin its food. Charlotte may not have a singular or marketable cultural identity, but the city is quietly making a name for itself with how much it has to offer.

More than 1 in 5 Americans (21%), including 1 in 4 boomers (25%), say Charlotte is among most underrated cities in the U.S.

Charlotte's popularity is on the rise due to its affordability. Although the cost of living is slightly higher than the U.S. average, prices are much lower than in other major metro areas, despite comparable job growth and amenities.

There's no shortage of things to do in Charlotte, from exploring the extensive network of greenway trails to cheering on one of the city's professional sports teams. The city is also becoming a growing culinary hub with local eateries, breweries, and markets accessible from one of the city's many walkable neighborhoods.

Denver proves a coastline isn't necessary to be considered beautiful. This landlocked city at the base of the Rocky Mountains is considered the prettiest city in the U.S. after placing second in 2025.

In addition to incredible views of nature, Denver has charming walkable neighborhoods, historic architecture, and world-class public art throughout the city.

Denver shines in more ways than one. The Mile High City actually has more sunny days than Miami each year, bestowing residents with good weather to explore their city.

Americans can look past a drizzly forecast, however, naming Seattle the second-prettiest city in the U.S. Seattle fell short of the top overall spot by just 0.3% percentage points but ranks first among millennials, 26% of whom say it's the prettiest city in the U.S.

A deeply ingrained history of hospitality and good manners make Southern states some of the friendliest in the U.S. Even an insult is often delivered with a smile and a “bless your heart.”

Seven of the cities Americans say are the nicest are located in the South, including No. 1 Charlotte. Americans rank Charlotte as the city with the nicest residents for the second year in a row, with a quarter (25%) saying its residents are friendly. Nashville follows closely at 22%.

Charlotte hasn't lost its friendly reputation, even as it welcomed more new residents than any other city in the U.S. last year. While that kind of growth can strain a community, Charlotte continues to be known for its niceness.

Friendliness isn't just a Southern specialty, though. Seattle, San Diego, and Denver also made the list of cities with the nicest residents.

If Southern cities are known for their friendliness, then Northeastern cities are known for their rudeness. Five from the region have landed on America's list of rudest cities: New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

New York is considered the rudest city in the U.S. for the third year in a row, finishing well ahead of the rest of the pack. A whopping 46% of Americans say New Yorkers are rude, compared to 28% who say the same about runner-up Chicago.

New York also topped the list among boomers and millennials, although boomers are far more likely to call its residents rude. About 57% of boomers chose New York, compared to 26% of millennials.

With 8.5 million people and 65 million annual tourists packed onto a small island, patience is bound to run thin. For that reason, New Yorkers prefer to skip the pleasantries in favor of brisk efficiency.

For years, Austin has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with its population topping 1 million in 2025. But before it was a boomtown, Texas' capital city was a quirky college town full of hippies, artists, and musicians intent on “keeping Austin weird.”

Austin's creative, unconventional culture naturally attracted startups and tech innovators, who went on to found brand-named businesses such as Yeti, Whole Foods, and Kendra Scott jewelry. The city has also successfully courted tech giants Dell, Apple, and Tesla, bringing high-tech jobs to the area.

The rapid expansion has caused growing pains, such as gridlocked traffic and soaring home prices, but a construction boom has helped provide more options and lower costs. Growth may be slowing, but the city is still dedicated to maintaining the creative spark to promote further development.

When it comes to food, New York brings a lot to the table.

As a global immigration hub, the city has welcomed generations of newcomers who have transformed the dining scene with authentic recipes and flavors from around the world. In fact, the bagel, brought to America by Eastern European immigrants, has become an iconic symbol of the city itself.

New York's culinary scene is unmatched in both the variety of its food and the range of its prices. From Michelin-starred restaurants to $3 slices of pizza, there's a delicious option for every budget.

It's no wonder 37% of Americans say New York is a top-five food city in America, well ahead of runner-up Boston at 23%.

Not every palate points to New York, however. Millennials say the best food city is Austin, which is known for its creative food trucks, mouth-watering barbecue, and Tex-Mex staples. Meanwhile, Gen Z prefers the Cali-Baja cuisine in San Diego, the birthplace of the iconic fish taco.

San Francisco is often portrayed as a city overrun by drugs, homelessness, and crime. But many Americans believe the city's negative image is exaggerated, with about 1 in 5 (19%) saying San Francisco is among most misunderstood cities in the U.S.

The sentiment is held, surprisingly, across all generations, although Gen Z (34%) and millennials (23%) are much more understanding than boomers (16%).

San Francisco does struggle with these problems but not necessarily more so than other large urban centers. In fact, San Francisco has a smaller homeless population than New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle but has received an outsized share of public scrutiny.

In reality, San Francisco is home to beautiful Victorian homes, scenic beaches, and iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge. Not to mention, the city is known for being one of the most diverse and inclusive in the U.S.

For the second year in a row, Americans rank Birmingham as the most boring city in the U.S. — a distinction earned unanimously across all generations.

Birmingham's reputation as a slow-paced Southern city may stem from its relatively low national profile, but it has plenty to offer, including hiking trails, a wide selection of local shopping and eateries, and Instagrammable rainbow tunnels.

Birmingham may not have won over all Americans yet, but Gen Z is giving the city a second look. That generation (32%) says Birmingham is the most underrated city in the U.S.

Like Birmingham, many of the cities on this list are midsize metros that built their identities around manufacturing, metalwork, and other heavy industries that the public associates with decline instead of exciting places to live. In fact, six of the 10 most boring cities are located in the Rust Belt, with three in Ohio alone.

Salt Lake City stands out as a clear outlier. The city is becoming a tech and outdoor recreation hub, but it may be considered boring because of strict alcohol laws and a perceived lack of nightlight.

Wyoming is often overshadowed by its more famous Western neighbors, Colorado and Montana, but the state is a remarkable destination in its own right. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 Americans (18%) say Wyoming is among the most underrated states in the U.S.

The Cowboy State is home to rugged mountains, bubbling mud pits, neon-colored hydrothermal springs, and sprawling valleys full of wildlife. As the least-populated state in America, residents enjoy these natural wonders without the crowds that plague other scenic states.

What's more, Wyoming has no state income tax and some of the lowest property taxes in the country, making it an affordable place to live, especially in the West.

John Denver called West Virginia almost heaven in his 1971 hit “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” but this state is too often reduced to harmful stereotypes. In reality, West Virginia has more to offer than many people realize, and 1 in 5 Americans (20%) say it's misunderstood.

Boomers (20%) and millennials (25%) also rank the state as the most misunderstood in the U.S.

As the only state entirely in Appalachia, West Virginia is home to forested mountains, whitewater rivers, misty canyons, and the newest national park in the country — New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.

Beyond its natural beauty, West Virginia is making a name for itself with a nationally recognized research university, craft breweries, small-town revitalization, and a lower cost of living that the rest of the country is finally starting to notice.

From tropical beaches to snowy peaks and red-rock canyons, the U.S. has earned its nickname “America the Beautiful.”

The U.S. has an incredible range of geographic diversity, but nothing beats the landscapes of Hawaii. About 45% of Americans, including 51% of boomers, say it's the most beautiful state, and it's not hard to see why. Few destinations offer active volcanoes, tropical rainforests, and stunning beaches — all within one of America's smallest states.

The second- and third-most beautiful states, Alaska and Colorado, couldn't be more different from the tropical paradise of Hawaii. While Hawaii's year-round warm weather is unmatched, these states are celebrated for their glaciers and snow-capped mountains.

California comes in at a distant fourth overall but tops the list among younger generations. About 52% of Gen Z and 36% of millennials say it is a top-five prettiest state in the U.S.

Although 75% of Americans like where they live, 60% say they still get frustrated by their place of residence. An additional 40% say their state embarrasses them.

Those frustrations are enough to make some consider a move. More than half of Americans (59%) say they could be convinced to move to a different state, with the percentage rising to 68% among Gen Z and 66% among millennials.

For many younger Americans, the search for the right place may still be underway, and their willingness to move stems from a weaker connection to their current communities.

Although 82% of boomers like where they live, only 61% of Gen Z and 67% of millennials say the same. More than half of Gen Z (52%) and a third of millennials (36%) also feel out of place where they live.

Although Americans may want to move, 90% say something is holding them back from relocating.

More than half (54%) say they could not afford to move to a more desirable city or state, with the percentage rising to 59% of millennials and 62% of Gen Z.

Texas recorded the highest net migration in 2024, the most recent year for which data is available, bringing in 392,287 more residents than it lost.

Texas has become a magnet in recent years, attracting all kinds of people with lower living costs, lower taxes, and a wide range of job opportunities in energy, tech, and other high-paying fields. But the bulk of new arrivals are Gen Z and millennials, who are choosing Texas more than any other state.

Texas cities are seeing some of the strongest net gains among young adults. Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas rank first, second, and fourth for Gen Z net migration, while Houston and Dallas hold the top two spots for millennials.

Younger Americans are gravitating toward Texas, but Florida leads the nation in net migration of boomers, who are often drawn to the state's natural beauty, year-round warm weather, and abundance of retirement communities.

At the city level, Miami ranks first for boomer net migration, with Tampa and Orlando coming in at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

While Texas and Florida continue to attract new residents, not every state is seeing the same momentum. Iowa and Montana posted the smallest gains, while two states — Alaska and South Dakota — actually experienced net losses.

Migration patterns, however, vary significantly by age, with New York losing baby boomers at one of the highest rates in the nation as retirees seek lower costs and a slower pace of life elsewhere. About 15,910 boomers left New York in 2024, more than double the outflow from the next-highest state, Illinois, which lost 7,800 boomer residents.

Yet the outflow of boomers is being offset by an influx of younger residents to sustain population growth in many states. New York lost thousands of boomers but gained 58,142 Gen Z residents, while California added 28,958 Gen Z residents despite losing 2,123 boomers.