Naples, a city in southern Florida celebrated for its pristine beaches, luxury shopping, arts and culture, fine dining, family-friendly fun, and outdoor activities, has been ranked the best place to live in the United States for 2024-2025. The ranking, compiled by U.S. News' "Best Places to Live 2024-2025", places Naples at the top, surpassing Boise (Idaho) and Colorado Springs (Colorado).
Known as a playground for wealthy retirees and "snowbirds," Naples excelled in categories such as convenience, quality of life, job market, and overall value among 150 major U.S. cities. "This includes crime rates, cost of living, job market, net migration, climate, education quality, and other factors," the survey noted.
The publication also assesses personal preferences, proximity to family and friends, life stage, and career opportunities in specific fields. Naples scored high in desirability (No. 4), job market (No. 3), and quality of life (No. 28), propelling it to the top of the list. However, it received a lower score in the value index due to its high cost of living.
The city also ranked well in individual metrics influencing the quality of life score: No. 4 in college readiness, No. 26 in well-being, No. 15 in air quality, and No. 12 for low crime rates. Situated in southwestern Florida, Naples boasts nearly nine miles of white sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and enjoys sunny days for most of the year.
Out of 150 cities, 14 are located in Florida. However, Miami is ranked at 123, the lowest in the state, despite being recognized as a "Magic City" with one of the most vibrant metropolitan areas in the U.S. and on its way to becoming a major international business hub. Miami's low ranking is primarily due to its high cost of living, especially housing, which is above the national average.
The rankings for Florida cities are as follows:
- Naples, FL #1
- Sarasota, FL #11
- Pensacola, FL #31
- Tampa, FL #35
- Fort Myers, FL #37
- Melbourne, FL #49
- Jacksonville, FL #56
- Orlando, FL #68
- Tallahassee, FL #75
- Ocala, FL #78
- Lakeland, FL #80
- Port St. Lucie, FL #83
- Daytona Beach, FL #96
- Miami, FL #123
Naples Tops U.S. News' Best Places to Live 2024-2025
Here are some questions and answers about why Naples was chosen as the best place to live in the United States for 2024-2025, according to U.S. News.
Why was Naples ranked as the best place to live?
Naples was ranked the best place to live due to its high scores in convenience, quality of life, job market, and overall value, despite a lower score in the cost of living index.
What specific metrics did Naples excel in?
Naples excelled in desirability (No. 4), job market (No. 3), quality of life (No. 28), college readiness (No. 4), well-being (No. 26), air quality (No. 15), and low crime rates (No. 12).
Why did Miami rank so low on the list?
Miami ranked low primarily due to its high cost of living, especially in housing, which is above the national average.
How many Florida cities are in the top 150 list?
There are 14 Florida cities in the top 150 list, with Naples ranking the highest at No. 1.