Nine of the ten best American cities in which to live are located in GOP-led states with mayors that lean into conservative values like law and order and “more accountable” government spending, according to a new report.
Quality of life, affordability, a strong job market and overall desirability were taken into account when ranking the best places in the US to settle down.
The top-notch cities were revealed by US News & World Report this week and only one landed in a blue state — Rochester Hills, Michigan, which was ranked the 7th best spot.
Here are the top ten cities:
- · Carmel, Indiana
- · Fishers, Indiana
- · Flower Mound, Texas
- · Ankeny, Iowa
- · Johns Creek, Georgia
- · Hoover, Alabama
- · Rochester Hill, Michigan
- · Leander, Texas
- · Frisco, Texas
- · Sugar Land, Texas
Nearly all of the cities in the top ten have populations under 115,000 and all of them boast median monthly rents that are less than $2,000 per month, according to the report.
“Earning the number one ranking from U.S. News & World Report is an incredible honor that reflects the collective dedication of our residents, business leaders and City team,” Carmel, IN Mayor Sue Finkam said in a statement, according to Fox 59.
“Our focus has always been on cultivating a safe, innovation-minded and vibrant community built for big dreams.”
Finkam is a Republican who won election in 2023 even after former President Joe Biden won the majority of voters in the city in 2020, Axios reported.
The chief executive of the second most prized city, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, is also a Republican politician and Rochester Hills, MI Mayor Bryan Barnett is a GOP official who has served in office for nearly 20 years.
While some of the mayors in the sought-after cities are involved in non-partisan elections, many have taken stances dedicated to public safety.
Johns Creek, GA Mayor John Bradberry boasted on his campaign website there is “no tolerance for breaking the law” and the city officials work to be “more accountable and transparent in justifying any additional spending.”
Hoover, AL Mayor Nick Derzis is the former police chief in the city and told ABC 33 he had two major priorities in office.
“People move, as far as I’m concerned, move to cities for two things, public safety number one, and a good educational system number two and we are going to make sure both of those stay top in Alabama,” he said.
Mayor Jeff Cheney, of Frisco, TX, which has a population of more than 200,000 has made conservative fiscal policies a hallmark of his administration, according to the Dallas Morning News in 2021.
Leander, Texas Mayor Na’cole Thompson won in a non-partisan election earlier this year, but her victory was cheered on by the Democratic National Committee, according to KXAN.
She told the station her focus is on economic development, water and intracture upgrades and public safety.
“We have a really safe community, and part of that is all the other things we’ve put in place,” she said.
