Naperville Tops 2025 Rankings as the Best Place to Live in the U.S.

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

For the second year in a row, Naperville, Illinois, has been ranked the best place to live in America by Niche.com’s 2025 report. This recognition highlights the city’s strong mix of affordable housing, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and a community-first atmosphere that appeals to families and young professionals alike.

Located about 30 miles west of downtown Chicago, Naperville is home to roughly 150,000 residents. The city has built a reputation for balancing suburban comfort with access to big-city opportunities. Residents enjoy top-rated public schools, a vibrant downtown with restaurants and shops, and outdoor amenities like the Naperville Riverwalk and nearby forest preserves. Most residents own their homes, which contributes to long-term community stability and pride.

Niche evaluated over 18,000 cities and towns across the United States, relying on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and thousands of resident reviews. The rankings factored in affordability, diversity, public school quality, employment opportunities, and access to recreational activities. Naperville scored high across nearly all categories, making it a consistent favorite in national lists.

Other cities making the top five include The Woodlands in Texas, Cambridge in Massachusetts, Arlington in Virginia, and Irvine in California. Each offers its own unique advantages, but Naperville stood out for its balance of cost, quality of life, and long-term livability.

For anyone thinking about relocating, Naperville provides a rare blend of community, opportunity, and value. Whether you’re looking for a safe place to raise a family or a well-connected hub near Chicago, Naperville offers the best of both worlds — small-town charm with big-city access.