Introduction to the Best Places to Live in 2025

One Houston-area city has taken a prestigious spot on a new list of "the 100 Best Places to Live in 2025" from relocation marketing platform Livability.com. The city of Sugar Land was ranked third for its appealing size and affordability, making it an attractive option for those looking to relocate.

Criteria for Selection

The list was restricted to small and mid-size cities with populations between 75,000-500,000 residents and a median home value of $500,000 or less. Factors such as average rent and home prices relative to income were considered to keep the list centered around affordability. This approach ensures that the selected cities offer a high quality of life without being too expensive for the average resident.

Sugar Land’s Appeal

Sugar Land earned the third-highest score out of all the cities on the report, with a LivScore totaling 854 out of 1,000 possible points. Located 22 miles southwest of Houston, Sugar Land has a population of more than 118,000 residents and a median household income of $184,570. The median home value in the city is $402,094, according to the report’s findings. Sugar Land is known for being one of the more affluent and rapidly growing master-planned communities in Texas, with a huge population boom in the late ’90s that has continued to grow.

Quality of Life in Sugar Land

The city boasts 27 city parks that include 35 miles of trails, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Across the eight main categories, Sugar Land ranked the highest for its health (89), housing and cost of living (88), and economy (85). The report described it as a "business-friendly" city, bolstered by its residents’ entrepreneurial spirit in industries such as biotech, manufacturing, and oil and gas. Livability also praises Sugar Land’s lively art scene, safe neighborhoods, school districts, recreational activities, and more.

Attractions and Activities

For families, there are many places to explore, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, which features a unique saltwater aquarium, and the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center with various interactive and engaging exhibits. Sports fans can catch a game at Constellation Field, home to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Triple-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Houston Astros.

Other Top Cities

Seven other Texas cities were also included in the list of best places to live in the U.S.: Flower Mound (875 points), Round Rock (793 points), New Braunfels (758 points), Midland (712 points), College Station (711 points), Tyler (676 points), and Abilene (659 points). The top 10 cities that earned the most points on Livability’s list are:

• Flower Mound, Texas
• Carmel, Indiana
• Sugar Land, Texas
• Naperville, Illinois
• Roswell, Georgia
• Overland Park, Kansas
• Troy, Michigan
• Columbia, Maryland
• Olathe, Kansas
• Round Rock, Texas

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sugar Land’s high ranking on the list of the 100 Best Places to Live in 2025 is well-deserved, given its excellent quality of life, business-friendly environment, and affordability. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, cultural experiences, or a thriving economy, Sugar Land has something to offer. As one of the top cities in the country, it’s an attractive option for anyone considering relocation.