Houston Triumphs in New Top 10 US Cities List

Houston receives praise for its prosperity, desirability and livability in a prestigious new report from Canada-based real estate and tourism marketing advisor Resonance Consultancy.

The annual “America’s Best Cities” report ranks the relative qualities of place, cultural diversity and economic prosperity of major U.S. cities with metropolitan populations of 500,000 or more. These 100 largest cities are “the engines of their regional and national economies and, importantly, the global economy,” according to the report.

Houston ranked No. 10 on the list, with New York (No. 1), Chicago (No. 2) and Los Angeles (No. 3) claiming the coveted top three spots.

Resonance points to its 2023 “World’s Best Cities” report to describe Houston’s accomplishments, specifically reiterating how the city emerges as an underdog among major Texas cities, particularly Austin.

“Austin may attract attention, but the Lone Star State’s promise to attract Californians and New Yorkers is quietly being fulfilled in Houston,” the report reiterates.

Houston’s reputation as a space city, combined with its vibrant culture (spurred by major events like the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival and the various Juneteenth celebrations) are two notable qualities of the report.

Of course, you can’t forget Houston’s strong economic ties to the oil and gas industry, where more than a dozen major employers were recently listed among the best companies to work for by US News & World Report.

“While local companies like ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Phillips 66 have ensured that 40 percent of Houston’s economy is tied directly or indirectly to oil and gas, the city’s energy talent has made it an unlikely destination in green energy,” the report states. According to a recent McKinsey report, Houston could invest up to $250 billion by 2040 to leverage the skilled workforce and existing infrastructure.

Additionally, Houston’s dining scene ranked fourth in the report’s restaurant subcategory, ahead of renowned foodie cities like San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami. Resonance described the city’s “underrated” culinary realm as a three-way amalgam of “Southern Soul,” barbecue and Mexican influences “that’s then seasoned with global cuisine.”

For locals and Newtonians looking for restaurant recommendations, the report offers just one: the new Late August in Midtown, whose talented executive chef Sergio Hidalgo and sommelier/general manager Danny Davis mix “the southern Mexican cuisine with the magic of West Africa.

Elsewhere in Texas, Austin (No. 15) and Dallas (No. 16) rank among the top 20 U.S. cities, with San Antonio ranking 32nd nationally. El Paso (No. 83) and McAllen (No. 88) fall outside the report’s top 50.

The top 10 best American cities, according to Resonance Consultancy, are:

• No. 1 – New York, New York
• #2 – Chicago, Illinois
• #3 – Los Angeles, California
• #4 – Miami, Florida
• #5 – Las Vegas, Nevada
• #6 – San Francisco, California
• #7 – Boston, Massachusetts
• No. 8 – Washington, DC
• #9 – Seattle, Washington
• #10 – Houston, Texas

The full list of cities and report methodology are available at worldsbestcities.com.