CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queen City is yet again on the list of best cities in America, ranking in at number 5 this year, according to the official US News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best Places to Live rankings.
Charlotte climbed to the top at #5 surpassing both Raleigh (#6) and Charleston (#13). This marks a significant climb from last year’s #8 spot and 2022’s #30 spot.
The annual report evaluates 150 of the largest cities in the us, basing specs on job market, value, quality of life, and desirability. 2024’s evaluation emphasizes city value and job market heavily. Quality inn life which includes crime rates, education, and commute times, holds the most weight at 32%.
Mayor Vi Lyles shares her excitement for the cities ranking via X posting the following statement:
Thrilled to see Charlotte ranked #5 on @usnews Best Places to Live list! Our city has it all – strong job market, top schools, diverse neighborhoods & endless things to do. Discover why so many proudly call the Queen City home: https://t.co/6URTZi2ymo
— Mayor Vi Lyles (@CLTMayor) May 22, 2024
Other notable Carolina cities ranked high included Greenville, SC (#4), Asheville (#17), and Greensboro (#23).
Overall, the Carolinas dominated the list this year, with both North and South Carolina having more cities in the top 25 than any other state in the nation.
