The list is from Livability, which looked at small to mid-size cities on factors like economy, education, affordability and more.
SUGAR LAND, Texas — Do you live in Sugar Land? If so, you can now boast that you’re a resident of the third best city in which to live in the U.S. in 2025. That’s according to Livability, which put the list together.
To come up with the list, Livability looked at a variety of factors but was focusing on small to mid-size cities. Their population range was between 75,000 and 500,000.
So why only cities in that population range?
“To us, that’s the sweet spot in size for getting plugged in, finding your people and feeling at home fast,” according to the authors of the rankings.
They looked at things like affordability. The city must have a median home value of $500,000 or less. They took into account amenities — things like parks, restaurants, entertainment and culture. And there’s the local economy, including job opportunities and income levels. There were also transportation, healthcare, and education factors.
Sugar Land had a score of 854 out of 1,000, which landed it the No. 3 spot. That’s based on Livability’s “LivScore,” which takes all of the factors into account.
According to Livability, Sugar Land offers, “a blend of Southern charm and big-city convenience. From top-rated schools to a delicious dining scene, Sugar Land offers the ideal balance of comfort and conveniences.”
Livability noted the low cost of living and affluence in Sugar Land, with a business-friendly environment and medical care. You can read more about what Livability liked about Sugar Land here.
While Sugar Land was No. 3, it wasn’t the top Texas city on the list.
Here are the top 10, according to Livability.
- Flower Mound, Texas
- Carmel, Indiana
- Sugar Land, Texas
- Naperville, Illinois
- Roswell, Georgia
- Overland Park, Kansas
- Troy, Michigan
- Columbia, Maryland
- Olathe, Kansas
- Round Rock, Texas
While the above rankings are for the “LivScore,” their report was interactive, so you can sort by the different factors. When you do that, Sugar Land comes in at No. 4 in economy, No. 4 in education, No. 2 in health and No. 2 in cost of living/housing.