Move over, Europe—America just nabbed some serious global bragging rights.
Nineteen U.S. cities made this year’s World’s Best Cities list, the most of any country, according to the 2026 ranking from Resonance Consultancy. Sure, London swooped the crown again, but the U.S. still strutted away with the largest posse on the leaderboard, beating out Germany (a distant second with eight cities). That’s a flex.
So who led the charge? New York glided in at number two—business booming, skyline rising, subways limping along but hoping congestion pricing and shiny new stations will fix things. It’s still the most electric urban experience in the country and no ranking is going to convince your cousin in Ohio otherwise.
From there, the U.S. roll call reads like a greatest-hits mixtape with a few well-deserved deep cuts. Think Los Angeles soaking up its moment as a creative capital; Chicago proving (yet again) that world-class dining and lakefront swagger trump the haters; Miami riding a still-scorching wave of finance bros, art fairs and waterfront everything; and Boston keeping the Ivy-powered innovation machine humming.
But this list isn’t just big metros peacocking. Austin’s still the country’s favorite tech-made-you-fun town (and yes, the tacos stayed great through the population boom). San Diego reminds everyone that sunshine and sand can be economic engines, not just vacation moods. Denver and Seattle keep the outdoorsy-cool duo alive. Atlanta and Dallas show the South’s ascendance isn't slowing anytime soon. And the likes of Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco and Las Vegas round out the crew, proving that America’s urban energy is far more than just skyscrapers and subway maps.
If it feels like a lot, that’s the point. These places scored not just on vibes and Instagrammability, but on livability, cultural pull and economic heft—things like nightlife, airport connectivity, talent attraction, restaurants and even climate resilience.
Still, the report throws a little cold water on the party. Global desire to visit U.S. cities has dipped and immigration worries are shaping perception abroad. But the fundamentals? Still rock solid. If this year’s list proves anything, it’s that America’s cities remain chaotic, complicated, occasionally outrageous—and totally irresistible.
The top cities in the U.S. for 2026 are:
New York – ranked at number 2
Los Angeles – ranked at number 12
Miami – ranked at number 26
San Francisco – ranked at number 28
Chicago – ranked at number 35
Las Vegas – ranked at number 55
Boston – ranked at number 56
Washington, D.C. – ranked at number 57
Houston – ranked at number 58
San Jose – ranked at number 60
Orlando – ranked at number 62
Atlanta – ranked at number 66
Seattle – ranked at number 67
Dallas – ranked at number 78
San Diego – ranked at number 81
Denver – ranked at number 84
Austin – ranked at number 87
Philadelphia – ranked at number 88
Baltimore – ranked at number 89