Arlington has maintained its No. 4 spot in a ranking of the United States’ best “cities” to live.
It’s the third year in a row that Arlington has placed fourth in the annual Niche ranking of the nation’s localities. As in 2025 and 2024, several of the county’s neighborhoods also earned high honors.
Colonial Village (located just west of Rosslyn) was ranked the No. 2 “best neighborhood to live in America.” Other Arlington neighborhoods in the ranking included Radnor/Fort Myer Heights at No. 7, Columbia Heights at No. 14, Ballston/Virginia Square at No. 15 and North Highlands at No. 19.
Elsewhere in the region, Alexandria ranked the No. 18 best city to live, while D.C.’s Mount Pleasant placed at No. 22 in the neighborhood ranking.
Niche ranks locations based on a combination of factors including public schools, outdoor activities, nightlife and diversity.
Arlington earned an A+ in the “health and fitness” and “good for families” categories, while its lowest marks were a C+ in “housing” and “cost of living.” It also ranked as the No. 3 best “city” to raise a family.
“Living in Arlington offers residents an urban feel and most residents rent their homes,” the ranking says. “In Arlington there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Arlington and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Arlington are highly rated.”
Placing above Arlington in the ranking were Naperville, Ill. (No. 1), Cambridge, Mass. (No. 2) and The Woodlands, Texas (No. 3).
