Top 10 Best Cities in the United States

When you think about the best cities in the United States, it's not just about where they're located on a map. It's about what they offer, how they make you feel, and what kind of experience you get when you're there.

Each city has its own unique flavor, from bustling urban centers to laid-back coastal towns. Some cities are known for their rich history, while others are famous for cutting-edge culture or innovative food scenes. Certain places boast stunning natural beauty, while others shine with their architectural wonders.

As you explore this list, you'll find cities that stand out for different reasons. Some might be great for their vibrant nightlife or arts scene, while others are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts or those looking for a slower pace. Maybe you're drawn to the iconic landmarks, the community vibe, or the opportunity to immerse yourself in a mix of cultures. Whatever it is, these cities all have something that makes them special.

The Top Ten

New York City, New York

The City of New York, commonly known as New York City or simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States. It is also the most densely populated major city in the country. Located in the state of New York, it is a global hub for finance, culture, and media.

Okay, so you think NYC shouldn't hold the title of the greatest city in the US? Let me explain why NYC surpasses both Chicago and LA. First, I'm really tired of hearing people say NYC is ugly. NYC is not the only city considered filthy. There are plenty of others, including Los Angeles. Plus, NYC's reputation for filth mainly stems from the '80s.
Yes, New York is expensive, but it's not on the top ten list of most expensive states. California is. We also have fantastic sports teams. And please, let's tone down the comments about mean people. That's not a valid excuse. People from all over the world visit NYC. Are you implying the whole world is mean? We also don't appreciate Southerners invading our personal space. Don't worry. The feeling is mutual.
NYC boasts an abundance of attractions - around 200, to be exact. Sorry, California, you only have 156. And don't even get me started on the bad drivers in Chicago. Let me share a list with you. The states known for bad driving include Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and yes, Florida too. Sorry, Florida, but your driving is just inexcusable.
New York State has good schools, and here's how I know: I had to move to Texas when I was eight (I currently live in, well, you can probably guess). When I started fourth grade in Texas, I realized they were teaching the same things I had learned in third grade in New York. So here's a little critique of Texas: their schools are horrible. They hardly assign any homework. While the kids might celebrate, the parents certainly won't.
Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, officially the City of Chicago, is the third-most populous city in the United States. With over 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in both Illinois and the Midwestern United States. It is considered one of the most important business centers in the world.... read more

Chicago is a great city. The architecture is beautiful and is very clean, unlike New York. There are many fun attractions like Navy Pier, The Cloud Gate (a.k.a. The Bean), and the Willis Tower. You can also go on a boat that travels through the Chicago River.
Additionally, the food in Chicago is amazing. My favorite dish, though, is obviously Chicago's deep-dish pizza. You could also check out the Sky Deck, which offers an aerial view of Chicago's skyline. Lastly, you must visit the museums. My favorite is the Field Museum. There are also more fun museums like the Navy Pier Children's Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, The Adler Planetarium, and the Science and Industry Museum. You could also visit the surrounding cities, like Naperville, which is ranked the number one city to raise a family.
Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, officially the City of Los Angeles and often abbreviated as L.A., is the largest city in California. It has an estimated population of nearly 4 million and is the second-largest city in the United States after New York City. It is also the third-largest in North America after Mexico City... read more

Los Angeles is the best. The weather is unbeatable. It never snows, and it rains about 10 times a year. When you plan a day out shopping or golfing, you never have to worry about being rained in or snowed in. That can't be said of freezing New York.
The real estate is very expensive, but for that kind of weather, beautiful people, and counties, it's worth it.

If you have only experienced LA from the freeways, then you do not know the city at all. Los Angeles is actually one of the coolest places around. The city is filled with tons of culture and has some of the best art and architecture in the world.
Check out some cool neighborhoods like Silverlake, Echo Park, Downtown, Venice, etc., and you will understand what makes this city so great.
Seattle, Washington

Seattle is a seaport city on the west coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. The city is known for its tech industry, including companies like Amazon and Microsoft, and for landmarks such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.

Seattle is definitely one of the best cities in America. Crime rates exist but are low compared to other cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The people here are very polite. Additionally, if you are in tech, this is the perfect city to live in. Major companies and industries like Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon originated here.
Sports are awesome, except for the Mariners choking and the absence of an NBA team. The worst aspect here is probably the homeless camps, which are considered to be Mayor Ed Murray's fault.

I visited Seattle in December 2018 and November 2019, and I loved it there. I think Seattle would be a great place to move to since it's usually cloudy and rains a lot, which I love. I have always loved cold weather and darkness, making Seattle one of the perfect places for me to move to.
San Francisco, California

San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the cultural, commercial, and financial center of Northern California. It is known for landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and its historic cable car system. The city has a diverse population and is a major hub... read more

1. New York City is cool but a bit overrated for my taste.
2. As a proud Californian, I will admit that Los Angeles is a great city, but it does have its issues. Most importantly, though... Hollywood, baby!
3. It's cool but not very charming.
San Francisco should be number one. It's gorgeous, has good weather, good food, not a lot of dangerous ghettos, amazing tourist attractions, and very smart people. However, I will admit that San Francisco is too liberal.

I love San Francisco because I'm only two hours north of it. It has a great diversity of people and culture. The food is awesome. Being a semi-local, I'm not a huge fan of the touristy areas like Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39 or the entire area on the Embarcadero. However, I do really like Alcatraz and Boudin sourdough. Seeing the Golden Gate is cool, but after a while, it just becomes another thing to look at.
I love Haight and Ashbury and Union Square. I LOVE THE SF GIANTS! The weather's generally the same year-round. It's awesome for day trips and overnighters with groups of friends.
Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the capital and largest city of Massachusetts. Founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England, it is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The city played a vital role in American history, including events such as the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Today, Boston... read more

I was born and raised in Boston, and it is such a unique city. One of the most historic cities in America, it is also a leader in education and medical research.
As far as entertainment goes, it has one of the best fan bases for sports in the country and a great comedy scene as well. Although Boston may be smaller than cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, that adds to its appeal and charm.

Far and away the best city in the United States. It has a strong economy, great culture, proud people, beautiful historic sites, and a breathtaking harbor. As far as food, besides New York, you might not find a more diverse selection of delicious foods from many different heritages. The pride Boston has in its sports teams, which win a lot, is unequalled by any other city. Definitely number one!
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and ranks as the sixth most populous city in the United States. As of 2016, it had an estimated population of 1,567,872, and its metropolitan area was home to more than 6.3 million people. Located along the lower Delaware and Schuylkill... read more

I don't know if it's just because I'm from Philadelphia, but something about it gives me such a good feel. You're not totally clustered like in New York, but the surrounding skyscrapers of Center City give New York City vibes.
Philadelphia has the best sports fanbase in the nation. Reading Terminal Market is just one of many wonderful marketplaces. Penn's Landing is historic and beautiful, oh, and we have Rocky.

Philly has everything NYC has but on a smaller scale: skyscrapers, parks, museums, downtown shopping, and good restaurants and bars. No astronomical taxes, no huge crowds, a train system that actually works, affordable living, and friendlier people too. Philadelphia is the United States' number one, in my opinion.
Miami, Florida

Miami, officially known as the City of Miami, is the cultural, economic, and financial center of South Florida. It is the county seat of Miami-Dade County, which is the most populous county in Florida. The city is a major hub for international trade, tourism, and finance.

This is by far one of the nicest cities on the North American continent. It is quickly becoming the architectural, cultural, and economic hub of Latin America, which shows in its influence of Latin culture and modern design.

1. Bad Boys 2 based here.
2. Home of the basketball team Miami Heat.
3. Home of the American football team Miami Dolphins.
4. The "playboy's paradise".
5. Hot chicks around every corner.
6. Amazing weather.
7. Quality cars.
What more could you want?

Miami is wonderful with its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightclubs, stunning nighttime lights, numerous palm trees, attractive people, and pleasant tropical weather. I would also like to live there, but it is important to be cautious of hurricanes.
San Diego, California

San Diego is a city in the U.S. state of California. It is known for its mild year-round climate, beautiful beaches, and major tourist attractions such as the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. San Diego is also home to a large U.S. Navy presence and several universities.

The best weather in the world. You can wear three layers or half a layer, and you'd be fine. It's the only city in the US where you'll never have to take the weather into account. Surprisingly rich in history and museums, it has an overwhelming amount of things and places to see, too much to list.
Epic landscape with gorgeous beaches, coastal bluffs, canyons, foothills, and mountains. It's the antithesis of boring geography. Exceptional food with great places to eat wherever you go.
There are a bunch of neighborhoods and areas with so much partying and nightlife that it guarantees you'll get fear of missing out if you move almost anywhere else. It has one of the best collections of schools in the country. The list goes on and on. Paradise on Earth.
Washington, D.C.

Very gay-friendly! Easy to get around, and the food and nightlife are amazing.

The capital of the USA deserves a little more respect, don't you think?

Great place to visit if you love history. Lots of things to do here.

The Newcomers

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Bloomington, Minnesota

Surprised this city hasn't been added to the list yet, considering that the Mall of America is located in Bloomington, Minnesota.
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Pinecrest, Florida

The Contenders

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of approximately 498,715, making it the 38th most populous city in the United States. Atlanta is also a major transportation hub, home to the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield... read more

I love Atlanta, Georgia because at night all the buildings are lit up, and I love to shop in Atlanta. I also appreciate that we have the largest aquarium in the United States.

Atlanta is a great city! While it may not be the best, it's definitely better than some of the most expensive cities in the U.S., like Los Angeles or New York City.

I visited Atlanta during the 4th of July in 2015, and this place is great! The Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola were really cool.
Denver, Colorado

Denver, officially the City and County of Denver, is the capital and most populous municipality of the U.S. state of Colorado. The city serves as the economic and cultural center of the Denver metropolitan area. Denver was founded in 1858 and was incorporated on November 7, 1861.

After living in Austin and Boston, I am very happy to have moved to Denver. (Though I think those other two cities are great.) Denver has fabulous weather, not too hot or cold, but still has four seasons with constant sunshine, and people are quite friendly. The city has done a good job preserving historic areas, while also promoting new development with smart planning.
I love having the mountains as a backdrop and play area, and the city offers plenty of fun and cultural things to do. Don't sleep on Denver. There is a reason over 50% of the population was born out of state.

Denver isn't as large as the leaders on this list, and I wouldn't put it very high on a tourist city list, but Denver is definitely one of the best cities to live in. It's exceptionally clean and modern, and its downtown is incredible.
I've been to most cities in the country, so I know what I'm talking about. If you haven't been to Denver in a few years, you'll be surprised. Denver is absolutely booming right now.
Houston, Texas

Houston is the most populous city in the state of Texas and ranks fourth in the United States. According to a 2017 U.S. Census estimate, it had a population of approximately 2.312 million. It is also the most populous city in both the Southern United States and along the Gulf Coast.

How is Houston not in the top 5 at least? I live in this city, and it is the best. There are lots of great places to visit, and it's a very great place to live.

I live in Houston! It has lots of museums and is really pretty. The downtown area, especially the aquarium, is cool!

I'm not saying it's the best city ever, but it's one of the best in the United States and should be at least in the top 10.
Orlando, Florida

I came to Orlando for a two-week holiday, and it was by far the greatest holiday I have ever had.

If you visit Orlando, go to Universal Studios instead of Disney World. It's more fun for all ages.

Orlando used to be ranked 4th based on where people would live in the United States. Enough said.
Tampa, Florida

Tampa is a great city to explore with tons of sights to see and things to do. I love the beaches, aquarium, zoo, Busch Gardens, and the cool neighborhoods.

I've lived in Tampa for 12 years. There's simply no better place in the U.S. to live. It's so beautiful, and there are so many things to do.

Love the cool neighborhoods, palm trees, and beautiful beaches nearby.
Minneapolis, Minnesota

We live in the Minneapolis area, and anyone who finds it boring here has only themselves to blame. Only New York and Chicago have more theaters than Minneapolis. That's a fact. We have professional sports year-round. The Wild is actually pretty good, and the Twins and Vikings are improving. There are lakes, hiking and biking trails, great nightlife, as well as a very active church community.
There is the Minnesota Science Center, the Walker Art Center, and all sorts of culture all over the place. And shopping? How does Mall of America sound? The traffic can get congested but it usually moves pretty well, even at rush hour. And there are actually rural areas right within the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
And yes, there is bad weather. You dress for it and enjoy it! The schools are usually well-funded, and we have a fantastic governor in Mark Dayton. The restaurants are awesome, and for an area of almost three million people, the Twin Cities are easy to get around in. And the winters have actually been getting milder!
New Orleans, Louisiana

The City of New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana by population. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly in music, cuisine, and festivals. New Orleans is especially famous for its role in the development of jazz and for hosting the annual Mardi Gras celebration.

I love New Orleans! Great food and architecture! If you visit, you must go to Cafe du Monde and get beignets because they are delicious. We have such a great culture and great festivals. Plus, it isn't illegal to drink on the streets. And if you come, go to Bourbon Street.

Truly a beautiful, one-of-a-kind American city. French architecture, beautiful music, tasty food, and a plethora of festivals make New Orleans such a wonderful place. It must be higher on this list.

New Orleans is fun. Don't forget about the Saints, though. The food is good, especially the beignets. There's so much to do here. However, it's important to note that there is a high crime rate, including frequent incidents of violence and drug dealing.
Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. It is an unincorporated part of, and the county seat of, the City and County of Honolulu, located along the southeastern coast of the island of Oʻahu. The city is a key hub for international business, military defense, and tourism... read more

It's better to visit than to live in. Don't visit when there are storms, or you will have a bad time.
Portland, Oregon

Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and serves as the seat of Multnomah County. It is a major port in the Willamette Valley region of the Pacific Northwest. The city is located at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

I was born in Portland and I love it. The city is beautiful with its flowers, expansive parks, abundant food trucks, excellent equality rights, and exciting sports. Go Portland Timbers!

Portland is by far one of the best cities, even if it is quaint compared to larger markets. Everyone is welcome here, and it's incredibly clean!

Insane food trucks, catering to all vegetarians. Everyone is super nice and eco-friendly. Nike is thriving.
Top 10 Cities:
1. Portland
2. Houston
3. Chicago
4. New York
5. Seattle
6. Los Angeles
7. Las Vegas
8. Dallas
9. San Francisco
10. Denver
Grand Rapids, Michigan

I am so happy to see Grand Rapids, MI at number 20 in the nation. I think it entirely deserves to be, but I didn't expect it. Incredible city!
Downtown is huge. Check out the Wiki on Grand Rapids and go to the panoramic photo of downtown. You never see all of downtown unless you have a panoramic picture. You'll see why.
GR is going through another building boom. There's a $75 million expansion of the public museum, a new soccer stadium downtown, and a large amphitheater a few blocks away. The largest healthcare company in Michigan is headquartered in GR, downtown on the Medical Mile. A project is starting soon with three towers: two over 400 feet tall and one over 500 feet, all connected at the base. It's an almost $1 billion massive project, and there are many other projects as well.
There are 70 breweries within city limits, over 600,000 people in the metro area, Heritage Hill, and you're just 25 minutes from a golden beach on beautiful Lake Michigan with crystal blue freshwater.
Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is widely recognized for its role in the country music industry, earning it the nickname Music City. The city is home to major landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Nashville is the best city to live in! It has diversity, a good climate, and a wide array of fun things to do!
Even if you don't move there, it's definitely worth visiting.
Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte is the most populous city in North Carolina. It serves as a major U.S. financial hub and is the home of the Bank of America headquarters. The city's population as of 2023 was an estimated 900,000, reflecting its rapid growth in recent decades.

Amazing city, and I bet by 2020 it will be in the top 10 most populated US cities. It is the second fastest-growing city in the USA, behind Austin. They have plenty of amazing attractions, including a great theme park named Carowinds, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the Bank of America Stadium. They are home to amazing sports teams, including the famous Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Panthers, and the Charlotte Knights.
They have a beautiful skyline, the people there are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet, and it also has amazing weather. It surprises me how many people have no idea this city even exists! It should be higher on this list.
Dallas, Texas

I've just been there. It was so beautiful and lively. Although it's highly civilized, highly developed, and industrialized, it's still lively with lively people, lively streets, and lifestyles. It's never a boring city. It was the best city that I have traveled to.

Home to Ray's Hardware, the largest family-owned gun store in America.

What a huge metro area! Everything you could possibly want!
Charleston, South Carolina

Such a beautiful and historic city!

Definitely should be in the top 5.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is a city in the western part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the second most populous city in the state, following Philadelphia. Pittsburgh is known for its rich industrial history, vibrant cultural scene, and numerous bridges.

I'm so happy to see the Burgh so high up. Beautiful city, so much to do, nice people, very historic. Oh, and we have the Steelers. I was born here, raised here, and I plan to die here. Great place.

Pittsburgh is my favorite city. It is my home. It has amazing views, sports, food, people, shops, activities, schools, and much more! This city deserves to be in the top ten!

So much to do in the city. Sports, bars, food, amusement parks, the beautiful river, so many things I can't even start to name. They got it all.