These 2 Michigan Cities Just Made America’s Best Cities List

Sure, you think your Michigan town is great, and I'm sure it is. Whether it's more big city vibes or small town living, life in the Great Lakes state is pretty awesome.

What Makes a City “The Best” in 2025?

But not every Michigan town can make the report of 'America's Best Cities' for 2025.

For ten years now, Best Cities (powered by Resonance) has put out its list of "America's most vibrant and livable cities". They looked at a wide range of statistics to rank the top 100 cities in the U.S., but it really boils down to three main categories: livability, lovability, and prosperity.

Within those three main categories are factors like housing affordability, air quality, walkability, nightlife, restaurants, attractions, unemployment rate, labor force, and more.

Out of the hundreds of cities that were considered, only 100 could make the list. And it turns out that two Michigan cities were good enough to make the list!

#63 - Grand Rapids

Frigid winters aside, Grand Rapids may just be Michigan’s jack of all trades, pairing natural gifts with urbanism, opportunity and affordable living. Its motto, “Motu Viget” translates to “Strength in Activity”, and the residents heed the call. Grand Rapidians savor the outdoors (ranked #65) year-round—whether they’re fly-fishing local streams, paddling the Grand River or ice fishing on Lake Michigan, an hour’s drive away...The icing (or foam) on top? Grand Rapids earned the moniker “Beer City USA” the only way a place can: with a roster of stellar local breweries.

#47 - Detroit

 Affordability remains Detroit’s superpower: homeowners spend just 17% of their income on housing, ranking #42 in our Housing Affordability subcategory.

In previous years, Lansing ranked well enough to make this list. Sadly, it didn’t rank high enough to make the 2025 list.