El Paso is having a moment- and locals have every reason to be proud. The Sun City just landed on U.S. News & World Report’s prestigious list of Best Places to Live in the U.S., standing tall among major metros for its affordability, quality of life, and strong community spirit. For longtime residents and newcomers alike, this recognition confirms what El Pasoans have known all along: there's no place quite like home.

To create this year’s list of the 250 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2025–2026, U.S. News & World Report evaluated cities across several key categories: affordability, job market strength, quality of life, and overall desirability. Only cities that struck a balance between economic opportunity and livability made the cut- and El Paso proudly earned its place among them.

Where is El Paso Ranked on the Best Places to Live in 2025 List?

It's not at the top of the list, but it's also not at the bottom of the list- El Paso landed at no. 107 on the general list. El Paso also landed at no. 32 in Best Places to Live in Texas and no. 2 on Best Big Cities to Live in the U.S.!

Although it did have some questionable things to say about the Sun City writing:

Today, El Paso attracts a wide variety of residents with its array of recreational and cultural offerings. Festivals like the Hueco Rock Rodeo bring the community together, and outdoorsy residents are quick to join their peers in marathons and bike races. Meanwhile, El Paso's rich Mexican heritage is on display in its local restaurants and the sombrero-shaped Abraham Chavez Theatre.

Have you ever heard of the "Hueco Rock Rodeo"? I haven't- and I've lived here my entire life!

Despite this, it also highlighted El Paso's affordability; the cost of living in El Paso is lower than the national average, while the cost of housing is well below that of other major metropolitan areas, including Houston and Austin.

Among the 250 cities evaluated, El Paso still earned a respectable spot on the list- solidly placing in the top half of the rankings. While it may not have cracked the top ten, its inclusion reflects steady growth, strong community values, and a lifestyle that’s resonating with more people each year. Go 915!