Start spreading the news: New York City has once again snagged the title of America’s Best City, topping Resonance Consultancy’s prestigious 2025 ranking for the ninth year running. The Big Apple is on a winning streak and it’s not just because of the pizza.
In a moment when American cities are grappling with everything from climate volatility to housing crises, New York stands tall—literally and figuratively—claiming the No. 1 spot across all three of Resonance’s key metrics: Livability (think housing, transit, health care), Lovability (nightlife, food, attractions) and Prosperity (jobs, education, business growth). In short, that means the city is thriving, dazzling and making money while it’s at it. A new layer this year—the Place Power Score—also takes into account how proud and satisfied residents are, making it less about bragging rights and more about real quality of life.
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New York ranks in first place for both culture and landmarks, fueled by a comeback of Broadway, blockbuster museum exhibits and more than a few Michelin stars. The city welcomed nearly 65 million visitors in 2024, and while international travel is projected to dip this year, NYC is betting big on 2026’s FIFA World Cup Final and major infrastructure upgrades to turn the tide. With a skyline that’s still growing, a hospitality sector revving back to life and a talent pool that’s as deep as its subway tunnels, New York isn’t just back—it never left.
“This recognition is a testament to the enduring appeal of the five boroughs,” said New York City Tourism + Conventions CEO Julie Coker, noting that the city’s cultural and economic vibrancy are still drawing the world in droves.
Elsewhere on this year's list, New York's West Coast cousin Los Angeles claimed the No. 2 spot: "While wildfires, water scarcity and housing affordability remain challenges, the macro bet is clear: a once-in-a-lifetime convergence of mega-events, climate-friendly rail, adaptive reuse policies and institutional capital is resetting Los Angeles’s value proposition," reads the ranking. And rounding out the top three is Chicago, IL, which is "firing on all cylinders" as of late with "an expanding talent pool and relative affordability."
But the real story is in the full list of 100 cities, which blends hard stats, social media buzz and a new nationwide survey from Ipsos to gauge how Americans really feel about where they live.
From pandemic recovery to climate resilience and economic reinvention, the report spotlights the cities rising to the moment. San Francisco is flipping a tech slump into civic revival. Miami is leaning hard into global investment. And Las Vegas is back in full neon, emerging as one of the fastest-rebounding tourism hotspots in the country.
Meanwhile, cities off the usual power map are gaining steam. Austin, Raleigh and Salt Lake City are pulling in people, businesses, and serious buzz, thanks to lower costs, creative energy and smart bets on infrastructure and culture. In 2025, innovation isn’t just a coastal game.
You can check out the full 2025 America's Best Cities ranking from Resonance Consultancy here, as well as the top 20 below.
The 2025 best cities in America, per Resonance Consultancy:
1. New York, NY
2. Los Angeles, CA
3. Chicago, IL
4. San Francisco, CA
5. Seattle, WA
6. Miami, FL
7. Boston, MA
8. Washington, DC
9. Las Vegas, NV
10. San Diego, CA
11. Orlando, FL
12. Atlanta, GA
13. Houston, TX
14. Dallas, TX
15. Austin, TX
16. Denver, CO
17. Portland, OR
18. Philadelphia, PA
19. San Jose, CA
20. Honolulu, HI