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New York Post
08-07-2025
- New York Post
NYC snubbed in new ranking of the best cities in the US
We're not king of the hill — or top of the heap. In a popular new ranking of the so-called greatest cities in the country, New York failed to crack the top five — losing out to a string of obviously lesser locales. The snub came courtesy of Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards survey, which annually asks its well-heeled — and well-traveled — readers to weigh in on their favorites in multiple categories. Advertisement 5 The Big Apple didn't make the grade in a brand-new ranking of the best cities in the United States. Getty Images This year, the 180,000 voters seemed to strongly favor smaller cities — elevating little Santa Fe, New Mexico to first place in the metropolitan marathon with a score of 88.8 out of 100, edging out 12-time blue ribbon winner Charleston, SC. Urban hubs were rated on several criteria — sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value. Advertisement For each category, respondents were asked to provide a rating of poor to excellent. Travel + Leisure then calculated the average of the reader responses and gave each city a total score out of 100. Readers dubbed New Mexico's capital city a 'true gem of a place,' praising its inventive cuisine, natural beauty — the metropolis sits at 7,000 feet above sea level at the foothills of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range — as well as its markets and art galleries. Clocking in second was New Orleans, Louisiana (87.06), with readers honing in on the Big Easy's kaleidoscopic culinary scene. 5 Santa Fe, New Mexico was praised for its inventive cuisine and scenic vistas. SeanPavonePhoto – Advertisement Defending champ Charleston, South Carolina dropped two rungs to third place with a score of 87.01. Readers focused on the city's downtown, which retains its period charm, as well as the gorgeous architecture. 'Charleston's laws of keeping every building under the height of its tallest church, keeps the city unique, quaint and charming,' fawned one. 5 An aerial view of Charleston, South Carolina, which was dethroned after 12 years at the top of the rankings. FRANKLIN – Advertisement 5 New Orleans took second place in the new rankings. Kevin Ruck – In fact, T+L readers seemed to be overwhelmingly Southern charmed by cities sitting below the Mason-Dixon line. Rounding out the top five list were Savannah, Georgia (86.64) and the nation's capital-adjacent burg of Alexandria, Virginia (85.26). Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, New York City — home of the most billionaires in the world and TripAdvisor's number one destination for 2025 — managed an embarrassing 8th place in the rankings, with a score of 83.84. 5 Savannah, Georgia, is one of the top 5 cities in the US in 2025, according to Travel + Leisure. Jacob – It notably trailed Greenville, South Carolina, a sleepy Upstate town that has enjoyed a surge of development in recent years. Readers specifically praised NYC's theater scene, with one respondent gushing, 'can't be beat for quality and variety — even the theaters themselves are beautiful.' The best cities in the US in 2025 Advertisement Santa Fe, New Mexico New Orleans, Louisiana Charleston, South Carolina Savannah, Georgia Alexandria, Virginia Honolulu, Hawaii Greenville, South Carolina New York, New York Asheville, North Carolina Chicago, Illinois
New York Post
14-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Here's how much money you now need to make to be considered upper-middle class in New York
An annual household income of at least $131,566 is now needed to qualify as upper-middle class in New York state — but you need even more money in neighboring New Jersey and Connecticut According to Pew Research, America's middle class is defined as households earning between two-thirds and twice their state's median income. GoBankingRates conducted the new study, using 2023 Census data to calculate the middle-class income range for each state. They subsequently used the top third of that range as the qualifier for being upper-middle class. Advertisement 3 living expenses range wildly within and between states, so many who make an upper-middle salary may still feel squeezed depending on where they live. Iona – In New York, the annual middle-class income ranged from $56,385 to $168,156, meaning $131,566 was the minimum needed to be considered upper-middle class. In Connecticut, the figure was slightly higher, with a minimum annual household income of $145,849 needed to qualify. Advertisement In New Jersey, the experts calculated that a household needs to make at least $157,189 to qualify as upper-middle class. Of course, living expenses range wildly within and between states, so many who make an upper-middle salary may still feel squeezed depending on where they live. For instance, Big Apple denizens need to make much more money to feel comfortable than those living in a small town upstate. 3 The city of Rochester is pictured. On average, you need to make more money in New Jersey and Connecticut than you do in New York state to be qualify as upper-middle class. SeanPavonePhoto – Advertisement However, the tri-state area isn't the only part of the country where you need to make considerable cash to qualify as upper-middle class. Indeed, there are other states where earnings must be even higher. In Massachusetts, you need a minimum annual household income of $157,642 to meet the threshold, while in Maryland you need a sizable $158,125. That state has the highest minimum needed to qualify, which is perhaps no surprise given that it's a relatively small state home to many high-end suburbs in commuting distance to Washington, DC. Advertisement 3 Maryland has the highest annual income needed to qualify as upper-middle class. Cavan Images – Conversely, Mississippi is the state with the lowest annual income needed to qualify as upper-middle class. There, a household needs to earn an annual minimum of $85,423 to make the cut.
