Two Southwest Florida cities appear in this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings for Best Places to Live for 2026-27. The rankings feature 250 locations. A city’s placement in the rankings was determined by evaluating its affordability, desirability, job market, and quality of life.
Southwest Florida is represented in the 2026-27 rankings, released on May 19, by: – Naples, in Collier County, is ranked No. 215. – Bonita Springs, in Lee County, is ranked No. 248.
Florida has 20 other cities in the 2026-27 rankings with Parkland, Florida coming in at No. 14.
For the first time in the ranking’s history, two neighboring suburbs secured the No. 1 and No. 2 placements. Just outside of Indianapolis, Carmel, Indiana, ranks No. 1 due to its high scores in desirability, affordability, and job market. At No. 2, Fishers scored high in affordability and quality of life, and it carries a strong job market.
A total of 22 Florida cities made the rankings this year. After Parkland at No. 14 overall, Palm Harbor is next at No. 62. In Florida, Naples is ranked No. 15 for Best Places to Live, and Bonita Springs is ranked No. 22.
This is one of two annual signature “Best” polls that U.S. News & World Report releases. Coming in October will be the “Best Places to Retire” rankings. In the 2025-26 Best Places to Retire rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Naples came in No. 18 overall, and Bonita Springs was No. 22 overall in the U.S.
“As prices of everyday goods continue to rise, consumers are considering affordability as a top priority when choosing a place to live,” said Erika Giovanetti, consumer lending analyst at U.S. News & World Report. “While U.S. News’ consumer survey indicated that quality of life and affordability were close in importance, cost-of-living concerns resulted in many Americans putting what they can afford above their aspirations.”
The methodology also factors in data from U.S. News’ internal resources, Applied Geographic Solutions, and U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining, and growth & development newsletters here and here.
