Seattle is the sixth-best city in the United States, according to Resonance’s 2026 America’s Best Cities report.
In its largest study to date, the real estate consultancy analyzed every single metro area in the U.S., regardless of population size, to determine the best cities across three main metrics: livability, lovability and prosperity.
The Emerald city ranked No. 6, behind New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco. Specifically, the city came in sixth for livability and ninth for both lovability and prosperity.
What makes Seattle one of the best cities in the country? For starters, the city ranks among the best in the country for nature, parks, sights and landmarks. It also ranks fifth for economic output and12th for large companies.
In addition to a Super Bowl-sized morale boost for Seattle, the city has also been investing in its waterfront development and is looking forward to an economic boost from FIFA World Cup matches at Lumen Field. Voters recently approved an infrastructure funding package. Additionally, Sound Transit will soon introduce the world’s first light-rail floating bridge with Crosslake Connection.
Plus, migratory inflow into Seattle remains high as the city continues to be both a good place to live and a place people actually want to live (Seattle’s lovability, livability and prosperity scores closely align with public perception of those qualities).