News Summary
A recent YouGov survey has identified Nashville, Tennessee, as the most favorably viewed city in America, boasting a net favorability score of +44. The survey, which included over 2,000 adult citizens, highlighted Nashville’s strong positive sentiment, surpassing notable cities like San Diego and Colorado Springs. The results also revealed significant differences in perceptions based on personal experiences and political affiliations, showcasing a complex landscape of urban viewership across the nation.
Nashville, Tennessee, has emerged as the most favorably viewed city in America, according to a recent YouGov survey that analyzed public perception of the 50 largest cities in the United States. With a remarkable net favorability score of +44, Nashville significantly outpaces its closest competitors, showcasing a strong positive sentiment among Americans.
The YouGov survey, conducted online among 2,175 U.S. adult citizens from July 3 to July 10, 2025, revealed that Nashville is viewed positively by a considerable percentage of respondents. The net favorability score is calculated by subtracting the percentage of individuals who view the city unfavorably from those who hold a favorable opinion. Following Nashville in the rankings are San Diego, Colorado Springs, and Virginia Beach, each boasting a net favorability score of +39.
Other cities that ranked high in terms of favorable views include Charlotte, North Carolina at +37, Denver at +36, Raleigh, North Carolina at +35, and San Antonio at +34. These figures indicate a strong preference among the American populace for cities with vibrant cultures and engaging attractions.
In stark contrast, Detroit, Michigan, has garnered the lowest net favorability score of -17. The survey found that 46% of respondents hold an unfavorable view of Detroit, while only 29% view it favorably. Oakland, California, and Bakersfield, California also reflected negative net favorability scores of -7 and -5, respectively.
When analyzing the experiences of visitors, Raleigh stands out with the highest net favorability score among those who have visited the city, registering at +73. Following closely are Colorado Springs and San Antonio, each with a score of +69, along with Virginia Beach at +66, Charlotte at +65, and Nashville at +65.
The average net favorability score across the 50 largest U.S. cities is +19, indicating a generally positive sentiment among the American population. Visitors tend to have higher net favorability scores compared to individuals who have not visited these cities, as their average score rises to +38.
Conversely, Bakersfield is rated the lowest by visitors, with a considerably negative net favorability score of -10. These discrepancies highlight a notable trend where residents of cities often view their own urban centers more favorably than those residing in suburbs, towns, or rural areas. For instance, 37 cities have at least a 5-point higher favorability rating among city dwellers compared to those living outside urban centers.
The survey also revealed a significant disparity in perceptions based on political affiliation. For example, Washington D.C. displays a contrasting net favorability score of +31 among city residents while showing a -2 rating among those who do not reside in the city. Los Angeles demonstrates a similar trend, with a +21 net score among city residents but a -9 score among suburban and rural residents.
Additionally, political preferences play a crucial role in how individuals view different cities. Democrats typically have a more favorable view of cities in Democratic-leaning states, while Republicans show similar trends within Republican-leaning regions. Los Angeles, for example, received a +45 net favorability from Democrats, yet Republicans rated it at a significantly low -47.
The survey results illustrate not only the public’s perception of these major cities but also the influence of personal experience and political views. Cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle are highly favored by Democrats, whereas cities like Fort Worth, Tampa, Jacksonville, and San Antonio receive better ratings from Republicans.
In summary, the YouGov survey highlights Nashville’s appeal as the most favorably viewed U.S. city. In contrast, cities like Detroit languish at the bottom of the rankings. This analysis provides insight into how Americans perceive urban living and illustrates the complexities of local versus national sentiments across political lines.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- YouGov: Americans’ Favorite City is Nashville
- Wikipedia: Nashville
- WKRN: Nashville Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey
- Google Search: Nashville Tennessee
- Tennessee Lookout: Nashville Think Tank Report
- Google Scholar: Nashville Tennessee
- Axios: Nashville’s Religious Population
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nashville
- WBKR: Nashville Traffic Survey
- Google News: Nashville News
Author: HERE Nashville
The NASHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENashville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Nashville, Davidson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as CMA Fest, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, and Nashville Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Nashville Health Care Council, plus leading businesses in healthcare, automotive, and technology that power the local economy such as HCA Healthcare, Bridgestone Americas, and Asurion. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HEREMemphis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
