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These Are The 10 Most Successful Cities In America

By Chris Kolmar
Aug. 13, 2016
Last Modified and Fact Checked on:

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What defines success in today’s world? Is it simply the balance in your bank account, or is it the satisfaction of delivering an impactful presentation or sharing a laugh with friends? Perhaps success transcends the tangible, embodying an essence that is deeply personal and subjective.

At Zippia, we prefer concrete metrics to analyze success. Using data-driven analysis, we have pinpointed the 10 most successful cities in America for 2026. Here’s our updated list:

  1. Frisco, Texas
  2. Cary, North Carolina
  3. Naperville, Illinois
  4. Centennial, Colorado
  5. McKinney, Texas
  6. Alexandria, Virginia
  7. Overland Park, Kansas
  8. Plano, Texas
  9. Gilbert, Arizona
  10. Olathe, Kansas

Disagree with our selection? Stay tuned to discover the methodology behind our rankings.

How We Determined the Most Successful Cities in America

While financial wealth often symbolizes success, we believe it encompasses more than just monetary value. Our analysis included a comprehensive set of criteria sourced from the latest American Community Survey:

  • Poverty Level
  • Median Household Income
  • Unemployment Rate

Median household income gives a clear indicator of a city’s financial health, while the unemployment rate reflects the potential for future prosperity. High employment rates suggest a thriving economy and a promising future.

We analyzed data from 289 cities across the U.S. with populations exceeding 100,000, ranking them based on these criteria. Each city’s “Success Score” was calculated by averaging their rankings, with the lowest score indicating the most successful city.

Now, let’s delve into what makes each of our top 10 cities remarkably successful, starting with the leader: Frisco, Texas.

1. Frisco, Texas

Frisco transcends its identity as a Dallas suburb, boasting over 130,000 residents. It proudly holds the title for the lowest poverty rate and the highest median income in the nation, currently at $112,155. Additionally, it enjoys an unemployment rate of just 4.9%!

2. Cary, North Carolina

Cary is rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing communities in the U.S. Renowned for its safety and beauty, its residents enjoy a median income of $91,481. Cary also ranks ninth for the lowest poverty and tenth for unemployment rates, solidifying its status as a successful city.

3. Naperville, Illinois

Naperville is a city rich in accolades, often recognized as one of the best places to live. Its high median income, exceeding $109,000, coupled with the second-lowest poverty rate in the nation, cements its successful reputation.

4. Centennial, Colorado

With a population just over 100,000, Centennial is a safe and thriving city, located near Denver. It ranks third for the lowest poverty rate and tenth for median income at $90,090, along with a 5.3% unemployment rate.

5. McKinney, Texas

Another Dallas neighbor, McKinney, stands out with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Unlike Dallas, which ranks much lower on our list, McKinney showcases a healthier economic landscape.

6. Alexandria, Virginia

Home to many political professionals commuting from D.C., Alexandria boasts the sixth-lowest unemployment rate nationwide. With a median income of $87,319, it offers lucrative job opportunities despite its high cost of living.

7. Overland Park, Kansas

A standout city in Kansas, Overland Park ranks fourth for the lowest poverty rate and eleventh for unemployment. Its residents enjoy a median income of $72,000, a notable figure for the region.

8. Plano, Texas

Plano is home to major corporations like Alliance Data and HP, contributing to a low unemployment rate and a median income nearing $83,000. This thriving city has a population of around 270,000.

9. Gilbert, Arizona

With the eighth-lowest poverty rate and a median household income of $81,485, Gilbert is rapidly expanding, making it a desirable place to live.

10. Olathe, Kansas

Source: Flickr

Rounding out our list, Olathe, with over 125,000 residents, features a median income of $76,519 and ranks thirteenth for both poverty and unemployment rates, showcasing its economic resilience.

Measuring Success

While our methods may seem simplistic, they highlight key metrics that define a city’s success. Congratulations to Frisco and our top cities! For those not on the list, we encourage you to keep striving for success.

Detailed List Of The Most Successful Cities In America

City Rank Unemployment Rate Poverty Rate Median Income
Frisco city, Texas 1 4.9% 3.9% $112,155
Cary town, North Carolina 2 5.1% 6.4% $91,481
Naperville city, Illinois 4 6.6% 4.1% $109,512
Centennial city, Colorado 3 6.0% 5.3% $90,090
McKinney city, Texas 5 4.0% 7.5% $82,988
Alexandria city, Virginia 6 4.7% 7.7% $87,319
Overland Park city, Kansas 8 5.1% 5.7% $72,231
Plano city, Texas 7 5.9% 6.7% $82,944
Gilbert town, Arizona 9 6.3% 6.4% $81,485
Olathe city, Kansas 10 5.3% 7.0% $76,519
Fremont city, California 11 7.6% 6.0% $103,591
Carrollton city, Texas 12 5.6% 7.2% $69,282
San Mateo city, California 14 7.4% 7.3% $90,087
Bellevue city, Washington 13 7.1% 8.1% $92,524
Broken Arrow city, Oklahoma 15 5.9% 6.0% $66,250
Anchorage municipality, Alaska 15 6.9% 7.3% $78,121
Midland city, Texas 17 4.3% 8.8% $67,144
Virginia Beach city, Virginia 18 6.2% 7.2% $67,001
Simi Valley city, California 19 8.2% 6.0% $89,595
Sunnyvale city, California 20 7.8% 8.1% $103,257
Scottsdale city, Arizona 21 6.3% 8.8% $72,455
Chandler city, Arizona 23 6.7% 8.5% $72,072
Santa Clara city, California 22 7.6% 9.1% $93,840
Torrance city, California 24 8.1% 6.5% $78,286
West Jordan city, Utah 26 6.8% 8.0% $69,404
Arvada city, Colorado 25 7.1% 7.8% $69,550
Round Rock city, Texas 27 7.1% 8.5% $70,952
Rochester city, Minnesota 28 4.8% 10.1% $63,472
Chesapeake city, Virginia 29 7.6% 8.0% $70,176
Thornton city, Colorado 30 7.5% 7.9% $66,160
Roseville city, California 32 8.3% 8.3% $76,712
Huntington Beach city, California 32 8.4% 9.0% $82,554
Irvine city, California 31 7.1% 14.0% $91,999
Richardson city, Texas 34 7.5% 11.3% $70,959
Thousand Oaks city, California 37 9.7% 7.3% $99,115
Cambridge city, Massachusetts 36 5.8% 15.1% $75,909
San Francisco city, California 35 7.6% 13.1% $78,378
Odessa city, Texas 39 5.0% 11.9% $56,119
Seattle city, Washington 38 6.5% 14.0% $67,365
Daly City city, California 40 8.7% 9.1% $74,489
Carlsbad city, California 40 8.8% 11.0% $87,416
Peoria city, Arizona 42 7.6% 9.5% $63,025
Sioux Falls city, South Dakota 43 4.6% 10.9% $52,607
Westminster city, Colorado 44 8.5% 9.6% $66,300
Cedar Rapids city, Iowa 45 5.7% 12.5% $54,465
Santa Clarita city, California 46 10.0% 8.6% $83,178
Orange city, California 46 9.0% 11.6% $77,086
San Jose city, California 48 9.8% 11.1% $83,787
Temecula city, California 50 10.6% 8.0% $78,535
Burbank city, California 49 8.9% 10.2% $66,111

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Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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