Texas Cities Dominate the Top 100 Best Cities List and So Does Ours
After more than 48 years living, working, and raising a family right here in West Texas, I can tell you this, there’s something special about this place. And now, the rest of the country is starting to notice.
A brand-new report from Livability has named the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the United States for 2026, and not only did Abilene make the list, but it’s part of a much bigger Texas story.
Texas Is Showing Out in a Big Way
Here’s what really caught my attention. Nine cities in Texas made the Top 100. Think about that for a second. Out of thousands of cities across America, Texas landed nearly 1 out of every 10 spots on this list.
That tells you everything you need to know about what’s happening in the Lone Star State. At the top of the Texas pack is Sugar Land, coming in at an impressive #3 overall in the nation. But what makes me proud is this, Abilene came in at #63, and it earned its place.
Why Abilene Still Feels Like Home
Now I’ll be honest with you, rankings are great, but they don’t tell the whole story because Abilene isn’t just a number on a list.
It’s a place where:
- You can raise a family without feeling lost in the crowd
- People still say “yes sir” and “yes ma’am”
- Neighbors still look out for each other
- Faith, values, and community still matter
We’re blessed with strong foundations, including:
- Dyess Air Force Base
- Hendrik Medical Center
- Abilene Christian University
- Hardin-Simmons University
- McMurry University
- Cisco College
That combination of military pride, education, and faith-based values is something you don’t find just anywhere.
Affordability: The Game-Changer for Texas Cities
According to Livability, this year’s rankings focused heavily on something we’re all feeling right now:
- Cost of living.
And this is where Abilene really stands out.
Abilene ranks #13 in the nation for housing and cost of living. That means your paycheck stretches further here than in most cities across America. While other places are pricing families out, Abilene is still opening the door.
How These Rankings Were Determined
Livability didn’t just throw darts at a map. They analyzed:
- Over 2,000 U.S. cities
- More than 100 data points
Categories like: housing, economy, safety, healthcare, education, and quality of life
They also capped cities with home values over $500,000, meaning these rankings focus on places where people can actually afford to live. That’s why cities across Texas are rising to the top.
Why Texas Keeps Winning
If you ask me why Texas keeps showing up on lists like this, it comes down to a few simple things:
- Strong work ethic
- Faith and family values
- Opportunity to build something
- Communities that still care
And Abilene? We check every one of those boxes.
My Take After 48 Years in Abilene
I’ve seen a lot over the years. I’ve raised eight kids here. Built a career here. Lived life here. And I’ll tell it to you straight, Abilene isn’t just a good place to live, it’s a great place to build a life. We may not be the biggest city in Texas, but we’ve got something a lot of bigger cities don’t:
- Faith
- Heart
- Community
And now, we’ve got the recognition to back it up. Bottom line, Texas is booming, and nine cities on this list prove it. But for me? "Abilene will always be MY #1."
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LOOK: Interesting And Unique Buildings in the Abilene Area
Gallery Credit: Rudy Fernandez
LOOK: This is the Biggest House in Texas over 29,000 sq. ft. living space on over 15 acres
Gallery Credit: Rudy Fernandez
Abilene's Most Expensive Home $1.9 Million Dollars
Gallery Credit: Rudy Fernandez