While Atlanta and Savannah are two of the most recognized cities in the Peach State, some have Johns Creek on their minds instead.
After all, the city, just north of Atlanta, was recently chosen by U.S. News & World Report as the best place to call home in the United States.
The city, located 25 miles outside of Atlanta, was officially incorporated in 2006 and has a population of 78,937.
For its 2025-2026 list, the publication analyzed over 200 U.S. cities based on quality of life, desirability and job market, with Johns Creek ranking 24th, 110th and 13th in the respective categories.
Additional factors such as crime rates, cost of living, job market, net migration, climate and quality of education were also analyzed.
“We have upscale shopping, restaurants, and easy access to many highways,” Skylar Topper, an Atlanta real estate agent and Johns Creek resident, said in the report. “It’s very idyllic. Growing up here, we kind of called it like a little bit of a bubble because it’s such a good place to live.”
Some of the factors U.S. News & World Report cited in its decision:
Diversity
According to U.S. News and World Report, one of the major assets of living in Johns Creek is the city’s culturally diverse population. Some 46% of residents are non-white.
“It may be a Southern thing, but people are very friendly here. This welcoming presence, along with available employment within driving distance for its well-educated residents, has resulted in a culturally diverse population,” added Lynn Pennington, past president of Johns Creek Beautification and co-chair of the ArtSpot Committee.
“Johns Creek is developing a strong sense of community and many residents are getting involved to make our city even better than it currently is.”
Public school system
The report noted that Johns Creek students consistently rank high in national test scores and “excel in all walks of school life: academic, athletic and extracurricular.”
U.S. News & World Report previously recognized Johns Creek High School in their lists of best Georgia high schools (No. 20) and metro Atlanta high schools (No. 13).
“The public schools in Johns Creek are not only the backbone of our community, but they are one of the main reasons people choose to live here to raise their families and educate their children,” Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry wrote.
Crime rate
Safety and home security research group SafeWise named Johns Creek the number 5 safest city in Georgia in 2025 and the number 2 safest city in America in 2024.
“The City of Johns Creek has been consistently recognized as one of the safest cities in Georgia and the U.S.,” Bradberry said in the publication.
Cost of living
While Johns Creek has a higher cost of living compared to other communities, with the median home price being $528,234 compared to the national average home value of $370,489, Atlanta real estate agent Ashley Lazarian said that the area is still affordable compared to its bordering cities.
She also noted the addition of urban amenities such as the mixed-use property Medley.
Bradberry also cited the upcoming development of the Town Center area, a 192-acre district in the city’s heart.
“With strong support from the private and public sectors, the Town Center area will include a vibrant mix of residential, office, retail, entertainment and outdoor space,” the mayor wrote.
