Poughkeepsie Joins 4 Other New York Cities on the ‘Best Cities’ in America List

The top 100 best cities in the U.S. list is out, and five New York cities have made the 2025 list, including Poughkeepsie, NY.

Every year, the folks at the World's Best Cities website release a list of the top 100 "best" cities in America, and this year, five cities across New York have made the list, including one Hudson Valley city.

Best Cities in America 2025

For almost 10 years, Resonance Research has ranked hundreds of cities across America to try and find the "Top 100 of America’s Greatest Cities" by weighing various index factors, including livability, lovability, and prosperity. They look at major projects and events that are happening in each city, the number of cultural institutions, housing, tourism, and each city's economy.

The top five cities might not surprise you as major cities like Seattle, WA (#5), San Francisco, CA (#4), Chicago, IL (#3), Los Angeles, CA (#2,) and New York, NY (#1) all secured the top spots in 2025. New York City has finished #1 since the research company began ranking cities almost a decade ago, so it's no surprise for New York City. What might sound like a surprise to some, four other New York Cities have made the top 100 this year.

New York's Best Cities

Syracuse (#58), Buffalo (#42), and Rochester (#39) all landed in the top 100 for 2025 after each city scored high marks for housing, attractions, booming economies, and much more.

Surprise! Poughkeepsie, NY, Makes Top 100 Best Cities List

The celebration is underway in Poughkeepsie, NY, as it has just been named one of America's top 100 cities of 2025. This isn't the first time Poughkeepsie has made the list, but it has climbed higher this year than ever before, reaching #82. Poughkeepsie was recognized for "its breathtaking Hudson River location, the iconic Walkway Over the Hudson, world-class educational institutions, and rich architectural heritage. The City of Poughkeepsie is quickly becoming a national example of revitalization done right," according to the Poughkeepsie Buzz newsletter.

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“It is no secret that the City of Poughkeepsie faces a pivotal turning point in its lifespan,” said Poughkeepsie Mayor Yvonne Flowers. “We are working tirelessly on initiatives that improve the visual, functional, and safety aspects of the city. That's why it was especially encouraging to be recognized once again as one of America's Greatest Cities. Our city has always been full of life and potential, and with our collective efforts underway, we will lead it to greater heights.”

You can view the entire Top 100 list for 2025 online here.