- Flower Mound, Texas, was named one of the best places to live in America and received the highest livability score based on factors like housing and cost of living, transportation, education, and health.
- The city, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, was highlighted for its safety, strong economy, and natural beauty.
- Carmel, Indiana, which topped the ranking last year, came in second, and Sugar Land, Texas, was third.
An estimated 25.87 million Americans moved in 2024, with over 30 million expected to move this year, according to North American Moving Services. If you plan to be among the millions looking for a fresh start somewhere new but aren’t quite sure where to go, consider Livability’s annual ranking of the best places to live in the U.S.
The company evaluated thousands of U.S. cities with populations between 75,000 to 500,000 to create its list. It considered various factors, including each city’s economy, housing and cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education, and health. To ensure affordability, only cities with a median home value of $500,000 or less were included. Finally, each place received a Livability Score, which “essentially grades a city based on its performance across the prescribed categories,” as explained on the website.
And this year, Flower Mound, Texas, received the highest Livability Score at 875.Â
“No secrets here; Flower Mound is known for its wildflowers, just as its name promises! Flower Mound—which sits 650 feet above sea level and is perched over the countryside—probably got its name because of the wildflowers that carpet the elevated mound in the town center,” the website shared. “From the iconic Texas bluebonnets to pansies and the Indian blankets that look like daisies but have yellow tips, the prolific wildflowers make it easy to see why people love living here.”Â
The town won such high praise thanks to its safety, access to health care, excellent schools, and growing economy. There are over 2,000 businesses in Flower Mound, contributing to a robust and vibrant economy, with technology, manufacturing, and professional services representing the largest industries. The city’s major employers include Lewisville Independent School District, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital-Flower Mound, and Communications Test Design, Inc.
However, Flower Mound isn’t the only great spot to think about moving to in 2025. Carmel, Indiana, also had an excellent showing with a Livability Score of 872. The city topped the company’s 2024 ranking thanks to its top-rated schools, affordable housing, and safety.
Sugar Land, Texas, had the third highest Livability Score, 854. The website noted that the city is an excellent place to live due to the low cost of living, highly educated workforce, and business-friendly environment.
Naperville, Illinois, which earlier this year was also named the best place to live in America by Niche, ranked fourth, and Roswell, Georgia, snagged the fifth spot with a Livability Score of 838.
You can see the full list at livability.com.Â