Oklahoma City Secures Top Spot as Texas Dominates Big City Rankings

Texas leads the 2026 rankings of the best large US cities to live in, with El Paso and Austin in the top five, while Oklahoma City takes the prestigious number one spot.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 4, 2026, 12:36 PM EDT

Source: Business Insider

The Shift Toward Southern Urban Centers

The 2026 rankings underscore a clear dominance of Texas and the broader Sun Belt region in the national residential landscape. While smaller towns like Johns Creek, Georgia, and Carmel, Indiana, lead the overall list of best places to live, the "Big City" breakout shows that major metropolitan hubs are successfully competing by leveraging shorter commute times and diverse cultural attractions. Oklahoma City’s rise to the number one spot reflects its success in balancing a robust arts scene with a manageable cost of living, a combination that has become increasingly attractive to a workforce weary of the hyper-inflation seen in coastal markets.

Regional Economic Strength and Migration Trends

The methodology employed by US News & World Report utilized five distinct indexes: quality of life, value, desirability, job market, and net migration. Texas, the second largest state by both area and population, utilized its massive scale to secure three of the top five slots. Austin continues its trajectory as a primary destination for the technology sector, while El Paso and Fort Worth provide high-value alternatives for families and professionals. The presence of six Texas cities in the top 15 highlights a systemic economic health that continues to draw residents from across the country despite the higher median household incomes found in some smaller Midwestern suburbs.

California and Washington Maintain Tech Hub Status

Despite the high cost of living, traditional tech powerhouses in the West still command significant presence in the rankings. San Francisco and Seattle remain high on the list, supported by astronomical median household incomes that help offset high housing costs. In San Francisco, the median household income of $149,576 reflects its status as a global epicenter for innovation, though its median home value remains above $1.3 million. Similarly, Seattle’s position at number 12 is bolstered by the corporate presence of giants like Amazon and Starbucks, which continue to anchor the Pacific Northwest’s labor market and urban appeal.