Newsweek has mapped out new rankings for the best big and small cities in the United States, with Chicago voted the best big city in the country for the ninth year in a row.
Some 757,109 Condé Nast Traveler readers voted on the best cities for the in the 38th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey.
Chicago, Illinois, came out as number one in the big cities list while Seattle, Washington, came tenth. Charleston, South Carolina, was voted first in the small cities list and Pensacola came tenth.
Why It Matters
As travelers and families look to relocate or explore new places, updated rankings of the best cities in the United States provide valuable insight into both quality of life and economic opportunity.
Chicago keeping its position on top this year is particularly significant given the current controversy over President Donald Trump deploying National Guard troops there and calling it a war zone.
What To Know
The top 10 big cities are:
Chicago, Illinois
San Francisco, California
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Portland, Oregon
New Orleans, Louisiana
Washington, D.C.
San Diego, California
Columbus, Ohio
New York City, New York
Seattle, Washington
The top 10 small cities are:
Charleston, South Carolina
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Alexandria, Virginia
St. Augustine, Florida
San Juan, Puerto Rico (U.S. territory)
Savannah, Georgia
Oakland, California
Lexington, Kentucky
Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Pensacola, Florida
What People Are Saying
Condé Nast editorial wrote about how its small cities list: “Whether you’re on the lookout for a cutting-edge arts scene, inventive new restaurants, or eye-catching architecture, you’re bound to find the next big thing in travel.”
Donald Trump said in a video on Wednesday about Chicago: “You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. We have a governor that refuses to admit he has problems. Everybody knows how bad it is. This open borders nightmare flooded our country with fentanyl and with people that shouldn’t be here, some of the worst people on earth and illicit drugs decimated American communities and left us with the largest law enforcement challenge in our country’s history.”
What Happens Next
As the landscape of U.S. cities evolves, these rankings highlight shifting travel trends and economic realities. Cities combining rich cultural offerings with job market strength are likely to continue attracting visitors and new residents alike.
Travelers and job seekers can use both the Condé Nast Traveler lists as roadmaps to find cities that fit their aspirations—whether in search of vibrant food scenes, historic charm, or thriving economies.