Bellevue has been ranked ninth in the nation for overall quality of life, according to the newly released U.S. Social Progress Map, created by the Social Progress Imperative. The ranking places Bellevue among the top 10 cities in the country based on a data-driven analysis of well-being across several key categories.
“We appreciate the Social Progress Imperative using deeper data to reveal what leads to thriving communities,” said Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson. “Seeing us perform well when those indicators are analyzed across the country affirms our commitment to creating equitable opportunities for everyone in Bellevue to have a high quality of life.”
The U.S. Social Progress Map ranks cities based on a composite score across three key dimensions: Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity. Each dimension is scored out of 100 and reflects factors such as health care, education, safety, environment, and individual rights.
Bellevue received an overall score of 65.2, with individual scores as follows:
- Basic Human Needs – 68.651, includes nutrition, medical care, sanitation, shelter, and personal safety.
- Foundations of Wellbeing – 61.852, includes access to education and information, health and wellness, and environmental quality.
- Opportunity – 65.127, includes personal rights, freedom and choice, inclusiveness, and access to advanced education.
Bellevue’s placement in the top 10 reflects the city’s continued focus on building a healthy, safe, and inclusive community where residents can thrive.
The top three cities in the 2025 rankings are:
1. San Ramon, California – 69.2
2. Pleasanton, California – 66.3
3. Centennial, Colorado – 66.2
The Social Progress Imperative, a nonprofit organization, creates these rankings to show how cities are doing in areas beyond just economic measures like GDP. The U.S. Social Progress Map helps communities see what they’re doing well and where they can improve, with the goal of shaping policies that support a better quality of life for everyone.
