Many types of roses can be found at the Tyler Rose Garden. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

On a list with 12 other Texas cities, Tyler was recently named the second-best place to live in the state.

WorldAtlas, founded in 1994 as the “original online geography resource,” recently published a list of the “12 Best Places to Live in Texas in 2025,” and the Rose City came in at No. 2 behind only Austin.

The full 2025 list, in order beginning with the best as ranked by WorldAtlas, includes Austin, Tyler, Houston, Plano, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Fort Worth, Denton, San Antonio, Georgetown, Dallas and McKinney.

In a description about the city, WorldAtlas called Tyler a mid-sized city with about 110,000 residents. Writers said the city is home to “some of the country’s top hospitals.”

“Healthcare is the biggest employer in Tyler with an estimated 25,000 full-time jobs available,” WorldAtlas said. “With the addition of newer medical facilities, Tyler attracts medical professionals, graduates, young families, and retirees alike.”

“Healthcare fields have an advantage in Tyler with a School of Medicine at UT Tyler and two nursing schools,” the website added.

WorldAtlas called the city’s access to healthcare “excellent,” noting top rated UT Health East Texas, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, the Veterans Affairs Clinic, and several urgent care facilities in the city. It also mentioned how the Northeast Texas Cancer and Research Institute was formed in 2022 with specialized areas for oncology and research.

The website also noted Tyler’s recent ranking by UT Tyler as the No. 1 place to raise a family in Texas.

Housing costs are low in Tyler, at about 8% below the national average. Meanwhile, the cost of living is 4 to 10% lower than other areas in the country, the website notes.

Tyler’s ISD rates above average with 17 elementary schools, six middle schools, and four high schools.

“This school district is highly ranked for its teachers, college prep, administration, and diversity,” according to WorldAtlas.

And for post-graduation, WorldAtlas noted the opportunity to attend UT Tyler, a public, four-year university.

According to the website, it ranks Tyler’s safest neighborhoods as the Cherokee Trail area, Hollytree, Copeland, and Swan.

“Tyler is overall a fairly safe community with a smaller population but does have a higher than national average crime rate, with chances of becoming a victim of any crime at 1 in 45,” the website states.

With some restaurants that have garnered statewide and national attention such as Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q and C Rojo’s Taqueria, WorldAtlas was sure to point out the Rose City’s love for food.

“Tyler is big on food. There are over 100 food trucks dedicated to everything from tacos at Gino’s Tacos to burgers at Rollin Stone Craft Burgers,” the website states.

WorldAtlas also called out Tyler’s entertainment options and “thriving music scene.” The website pointed to multiple venues like Liberty Hall and Stanley’s.

Mainstay events such as the Texas Rose Festival are anticipated yearly by locals, the website states.

Recreation abounds with places such as the Rose Rudman Recreational Trail which has a paved path for running, walking, or biking. It features playgrounds along the path and outdoor fitness stations. Also, Tyler State Park contains 13 miles of trails and a 64-acre lake for boating, fishing, and swimming.

The website noted Tyler Transit’s important place in the city as a method of transportation. The bus system is an affordable option and offers half fare for riders on Medicare, over the age of 65, and riders with disabilities. Ride share apps and taxis are also popular in Tyler.

Ultimately, WorldAtlas concluded that “Tyler is a great place for young families, retirees, and healthcare workers due to its low cost of living and access to healthcare for work or in retirement age,” the website states. “It has a welcoming community that has all the amenities of a city but the feel of a small town.”

In addition to the December 2024 ranking by UT Tyler as the No. 1 best city in Texas to raise a family and this recent recognition by WorldAtlas, Tyler has been making waves recently for its livable qualities.

In March 2024, USA Today ranked Tyler as the No. 1 best city to move to in Texas. In October, the city was also ranked by USA Today as the No. 1 for retirees out of 329 cities considered.

Because of its hometown blooms, Tyler’s Municipal Rose Garden always plays a role in ranking the city toward the top of similar lists, but the tax friendliness, health care availability and cost of living are also considered. Attractions such as Lake Tyler, Tyler State Park and the Caldwell Zoo have also been pointed out as key factors that make the city enjoyable.