U.S. News ranks dozens of Florida cities among best places to live
U.S. News & World Report ranked 22 Florida cities among the nation’s best places to live, with communities across South Florida, Central Florida, the Gulf Coast and North Florida making the list.
Twenty-two Florida cities earned spots in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-27 Best Places to Live rankings, showcasing how lifestyle, affordability, job opportunities and quality of life continue to shape where buyers want to live.
The list reflects the range of choices drawing attention to Florida, from suburban communities and coastal markets to retirement destinations and larger job centers. Those differences can matter as much as the ranking itself, especially when price, location, employment options and day-to-day lifestyle all factor into where people choose to put down roots.
The Florida cities that made the report, with their national rankings, are:
- Parkland, No. 14
- Palm Harbor, No. 62
- Weston, No. 70
- Riverview, No. 97
- Pensacola, No. 115
- Spring Hill, No. 121
- Kendall, No. 155
- Alafaya, No. 159
- Doral, No. 161
- Crestview, No. 163
- Jupiter, No. 170
- Apopka, No. 178
- The Villages, No. 186
- Homosassa Springs, No. 205
- Naples, No. 215
- Brandon, No. 217
- Clermont, No. 222
- Wellington, No. 226
- Tampa, No. 228
- Ormond Beach, No. 236
- Pembroke Pines, No. 246
- Bonita Springs, No. 248
U.S. News said the rankings were based on four broad measures: value, quality of life, desirability and job market. Those categories include housing affordability, cost of living, crime rates, weather, health care, education, air quality, environmental risk, local amenities, commute times, unemployment and household income. The publication said the measures were weighted based on a public survey of thousands of people about what matters most when choosing a place to live.
© 2026 Florida Realtors®