Key Details:
- Clever Offers survey finds 69% of Americans like where they live, down from 73% in 2024, while 73% say they could be convinced to move to another state.
- Nashville and Tampa tie as the most desirable cities in 2025, each ranked in the top five by 22% of respondents. At the bottom, Washington, D.C. holds the least desirable spot for a third straight year.
- Meanwhile, 93% face barriers to moving, with 46% saying they can’t afford it as average moving costs reach $2,050.
Nashville and Tampa may not have much in common, but in 2025 they share one title: America’s most desirable cities.
A new Clever Offers survey of 1,000 Americans shows where people actually want to live in 2025, and where they don’t. The results reveal a mix of predictable favorites, surprising underdogs, and a few metros that Americans say are losing their shine.
Let’s dig into what makes a place “the best” or “the worst” in the eyes of today’s consumers.
What Makes a Place Desirable (or Not)
According to the survey, Americans share a surprising amount of agreement about what they value most in a place to live. The top factors making a location desirable include:
- Good weather (67%)
- Low crime rates (66%)
- Low cost of living (64%)
- Low housing costs (53%)
- Natural beauty (52%)
- Low taxes (51%)
On the flip side, the biggest deal-breakers are:
- High crime rates (75%)
- High cost of living (67%)
- High taxes (62%)
- Bad weather (58%)
- Expensive homes (57%)
Even with those preferences, 93% of Americans say something prevents them from moving, and nearly half (46%) admit it comes down to affordability. With the average move costing $2,050, many are staying put even if they’d rather be somewhere else.
The Most Desirable Cities in 2025
At the top of the list, Nashville and Tampa tie for the No. 1 spot. Nearly one in four respondents (22%) ranked each city in their top five.
Known for its entertainment scene and growing economy, Nashville (aka Music City) is also grappling with affordability and safety challenges. The median home price is $470,000 (above the U.S. median of $438,000). And the violent crime rate is 11.45 per 1,000 residents, compared to 4.0 in the typical U.S. city.
With beaches, sunshine, and a lower cost of living than other coastal metros, Tampa remains a hot choice. The median home price is $370,000, compared to $590,000 in Miami, $850,000 in Seattle, and $905,000 in Los Angeles.
Other top contenders include:
- Orlando, FL
- Austin, TX
- San Diego, CA
For buyers seeking balance between affordability and amenities, midsize metros stand out.
- Honolulu, HI: The top midsize city for the second year in a row, selected by 32% of Americans. Homes here still cost a steep $761,755 despite a 2% price drop.
- Colorado Springs, CO and Charleston, SC: Ranked second and third for natural beauty and lifestyle perks at a more accessible price point.
The Least Desirable Cities
Not every metro inspires envy. Washington, D.C. holds the unwanted title of “most undesirable city” for the third year running, with 28% of Americans including it in their top five worst places to live.
Traffic, high housing costs, and overcrowding all contribute to its poor reputation. Rounding out the list are:
- San Francisco, CA (more on this one later)
- Los Angeles, CA
- New York, NY
- Chicago, IL
The Most and Least Desirable States
At the state level, opinions get complicated.
- Most Desirable: Florida leads with 34% of Americans calling it the best state to live in, followed closely by California at 33%. Both states attract with sunshine and natural beauty, though each has strong detractors.
- Least Desirable: California tops the least desirable list, with 28% calling it one of the worst states to live in. New York, Florida, and Texas also rank high on the “undesirable” list, usually for cost of living or political division.
The Underrated Winners
Some metros and states don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Charlotte, NC (21%) and Raleigh, NC (20%) are seen as the “most underrated cities.” Both combine strong job markets with more affordable housing. Charlotte’s median home price is $409,000, and Raleigh’s is $441,000.
Vermont earns the title of “most underrated state,” thanks to its scenic beauty and slower pace of life.
Other superlatives worth noting:
- Prettiest city: Seattle
- Ugliest city: Detroit
- Nicest residents: Charlotte and Nashville
- Rudest residents: New York (48% say so, up from 40% in 2024)
- Most delusional residents: Also New York
- Most boring city/state: Birmingham, AL and Iowa
- Quirkiest city/state: San Francisco and California
Cities Rising and Declining
Americans say Nashville isn’t just desirable; it’s also the most “on the rise.” With a projected 7% population increase by 2030 and major employers like Amazon and Oracle investing heavily, its appeal is growing.
On the opposite end, San Francisco is considered most in decline. With a typical home price of $1.55 million, a median-income household would be $288,000 short of a 20% down payment.
Combine that with population losses of 31,000 since 2020, homelessness, and retail flight, and the “Golden City” is losing its shine.
Takeaways for Real Estate Professionals
Here’s how you can use this survey data in your own conversations and marketing:
- Highlight local advantages. If you’re in a city that made the “desirable” or “underrated” lists, point to those rankings in your client outreach.
- Address pain points upfront. If your market is considered expensive or undesirable, be ready to talk about affordability strategies and lifestyle trade-offs.
- Use national trends to frame local expertise. Clients may have their sights set on “hot” metros, but you can show them how your market compares in cost, safety, or quality of life.
Americans are restless, with nearly three in four saying they could be convinced to move states. For agents, that means an opportunity to meet consumers where they are, whether they’re chasing sunshine in Florida, affordability in the Midwest, or an underrated gem like Charlotte.
The survey makes one thing clear: when it comes to where people want to live, perception matters just as much as reality.
