Americans Name Nashville and Florida the Most Desirable Places to Live in 2026
Americans know exactly where they’d like to live…they just can’t always afford to get there.
More than half of the country, 54%, say they couldn’t actually afford to relocate to a place they consider more desirable, according to a new report from Clever Real Estate.
Nashville Holds the Top Spot for a Second Year
Among the 50 most populous U.S. metros, Nashville, Tennessee, once again ranks as the most desirable place to live in the country, with 21.4% of Americans naming it a top city, narrowly edging out Denver by 0.4 percentage points.
Nashville’s appeal persists even as home prices climb.
The typical home in the city now costs $484,252, about 21% above the national median.
The 10 most desirable major metros are:
- Nashville, TN
- Denver, CO
- San Diego, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Seattle, WA
- Tampa, FL
- Raleigh, NC
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Orlando, FL
Florida Is the Most Desirable State — Again
At the state level, Florida holds onto the top ranking for the third year in a row, with nearly a third of Americans (32%) naming it the best place to live.
California presents a more complicated picture. It ties with New York for the least desirable state overall, dragged down by high living costs, high taxes, and expensive housing.
Yet California also ranks No. 2 among most desirable states; 33% of Americans call it undesirable, while another 24% place it in their top five.
The state is, in short, polarizing.
What Makes a Place Desirable and What Doesn’t
When asked what makes somewhere a good place to live, Americans point to three factors above all: low crime rates (67%), a low cost of living (65%), and good weather (57%).
Notably, low crime jumped to the No. 1 spot this year, overtaking good weather, which held the top position in 2025.
The reverse is also true.
High crime rates (73%), a high cost of living (68%), and high taxes (66%) are the top reasons a place is seen as unappealing.
Concerns about infrastructure are creeping into the conversation, too.
More than 1 in 4 Americans (27%) named a city’s loose regulations on data center construction as a drawback, which is a sign of growing unease over the energy demands of data centers.
Chicago Named Least Desirable City
Crime concerns weigh heavily on Chicago’s reputation: more than 1 in 4 Americans (27%) rank it as the least desirable city in the country, even though violent crime there has declined for two consecutive years.
The 10 least desirable major metros are:
- Chicago, IL
- New York, NY
- Detroit, MI
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Birmingham, AL
- Baltimore, MD
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
- Tampa, FL
Interestingly, Tampa appears on both the most desirable and least desirable lists, landing at No. 6 among the most desirable metros and No. 10 among the least desirable.
Are Americans Happy Where They Are?
Despite the appeal of other cities and states, most Americans report being content with their current location. About three-quarters (75%) say they like where they live, up from 69% a year earlier.
That satisfaction doesn’t mean people have ruled out a move, though. Nearly 6 in 10 (59%) say they could be convinced to relocate for new opportunities, and 43% believe a move could improve their life.
Regional Superlatives
The report also highlights standout cities in specific categories:
- Most underrated city / nicest residents: Charlotte, NC
- Rudest city: New York, NY
- Prettiest city: Denver, CO
- Most on the rise: Austin, TX
- Best for food: New York, NY
Among midsize cities, Honolulu, Hawaii, ranks as the most desirable, followed by Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Tucson, Arizona.
The full report is available from Clever Real Estate at listwithclever.com/research/best-places-to-live-in-the-us-2026.
Read More:
- 4 of the Most Dangerous Cities Are in the U.S.
- 12 Cities That Are So Dangerous Their Names Are Automatically Associated With Crime
- 15 Cities Where Retirees Are Moving
