Where Americans Want to Live in 2025: Insights Through the Lens of Belonging, Purpose, and Well-Being
As a therapist, organizational consultant, and host of the Breakfast Leadership Show, I am drawn to what pulls people toward or pushes them away from a place they call home. Clever Offers’ “Best (and Worst) Places to Live in the U.S. 2025” study, which surveyed 1,000 Americans in early July 2025, paints a vivid picture of national sentiment. It is also a powerful lens for understanding belonging, identity, and the wellbeing of a community. (breakfastleadership.com, cleveroffers.com)
Desirability Is Rooted in Safety, Comfort, and a Sense of Connection
At the top of what makes a place feel good to live in are good weather (67%), low crime (66%), and low cost of living (64%). Add to this affordable housing (53%), natural beauty (52%), and low taxes (51%). (cleveroffers.com) These are, at their core, ingredients for psychological safety and the calm that fosters thriving. Less worry, more space for growth.
Yet the data reveals a crisis of connection. While 69% like where they live, that is a downward shift from 73% in 2024. Frustration with one's locale has climbed from 59% to 68%. Even more striking, 46% of respondents say their city is a source of embarrassment compared to only 26% who feel envy. (cleveroffers.com) This emotional dissonance, where our surroundings do not reflect our inner world, can quietly drive burnout.
The Most Desirable: Nashville and Tampa
Tied in 2025 for “most desirable city” are Nashville and Tampa, each earning top-five mentions from 22% of respondents. (cleveroffers.com)
Nashville blends natural charm, with its greenways and murals, alongside a rich cultural heartbeat that includes Broadway honky tonks and the Grand Ole Opry. It leans toward creative expression and community. (cleveroffers.com) The challenges are rising housing costs, with a median sale price around $470K compared to the national median of $438K, and a violent crime rate of 11.45 per 1,000 residents compared to about 4 per 1,000 nationwide. (cleveroffers.com)
Tampa, on the other hand, represents sunshine and beaches. It delivers warmth and accessibility with median home prices around $370K, more affordable than Miami at $590K, Seattle at $850K, or Los Angeles at $905K. (cleveroffers.com)
For leaders and professionals designing workplace culture, this highlights a truth worth remembering. Environmental and social conditions deeply influence wellbeing as much as any exercise, wellness app, or mindfulness practice.
The Most Undesirable: Washington, D.C.
For the third year running, Washington, D.C. tops the list as “most undesirable city.” (cleveroffers.com) Overcrowding, paralyzing traffic, political tension, and high living costs leave many Americans feeling burdened rather than uplifted by the nation’s capital. Contrast that with the emotional safety created when communities feel spacious, peaceful, and accountable.
When States Rise and When They Fall
Florida holds the top spot for most desirable state, followed by California. Yet Americans carry mixed feelings. California is also viewed as the most undesirable state, while Florida appears on both lists as well. Warm climates appeal, but concerns about crowding, politics, or affordability spark division. (cleveroffers.com)
On the “underrated” side, Charlotte and Raleigh stand out. Both cities combine strong job markets with affordability. Median home prices of $409K to $441K create options, while Southern culture adds a welcoming dimension. (cleveroffers.com)
Nationally, Vermont has emerged as America’s most underrated state. Its small-town rhythms, natural beauty, and sense of peace resonate with people who value restoration and wellbeing. (cleveroffers.com)
What Leaders and Organizations Can Learn From This Data
Look Beyond Perks to Emotional Safety
Weather and affordability matter, but so do safety, calm, and trust. When civic life feels heavy, stress grows even before employees step into the office. Culture that values resilience requires cultivating calm connection.Avoid the Convenience Trap
61% of people stay in a place out of convenience, not because they feel deep belonging. (cleveroffers.com) That same inertia shows up in workplaces where people remain but feel disengaged. Ask the question: what would make people truly want to stay?Move With Purpose, Not Just Hope
73% of Americans could be convinced to move states, and 50% could be convinced to move abroad. Yet 29% who already moved found that relocating did not improve happiness. (cleveroffers.com) Location does not fix purpose. Belonging, culture, and alignment do.Champion Underrated Hubs
For organizations offering remote work, consider highlighting affordable, community-rich hubs like Charlotte, Raleigh, or Vermont. These places offer value without the high burnout costs of larger metro centers.Prioritize Wellbeing in All Decisions
From retention to team design, embedding a sense of safety, belonging, and agency is critical. Burnout is not just an individual problem but a systemic one, tied to place as much as to workplace.
In closing, these findings tell a story not only of geography but of emotional alignment. People want communities that do not simply house them but hold them. Nashville’s vibrancy is attractive, but costs and crime shadow it. Tampa’s beaches restore, but stability keeps people anchored. Washington, D.C. is seen as draining rather than energizing. Meanwhile, overlooked places like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Vermont demonstrate that underrated hubs may hold the key to thriving.
As someone who works with leaders and organizations on burnout, workplace culture, and resilience, this research confirms what I see daily. Success begins where people feel safe, seen, and at home. Whether in cities, states, or companies, the environments we choose should make belonging the priority. Only then can we move from surviving to thriving.
