What Awards Has Naples, Florida Received?

What Are the Most Significant Naples Rankings?

The table below summarizes Naples and Southwest Florida's most notable national recognitions by category, source, and year. These rankings are compiled from independent third-party organizations and represent the depth of recognition this market has earned across a decade.

Naples has received recognition across every major quality-of-life category, from safety and health to real estate and outdoor recreation. For school grades, fiscal ratings, population data, and market statistics, see the Naples area statistics and county data overview.

What Has Naples Been Recognized For Each Year?

Below is a curated record of awards and recognition received by Naples and Southwest Florida from 2015 through 2026, organized by year. Awards span retirement, lifestyle, safety, real estate, golf, healthcare, dining, and more.

2026

• Matt Brown Quoted in Travel + Leisure: Naples Named a Top Beach Town to Live In Year-Round, Travel + Leisure
  • Naples, Florida earned national recognition in Travel + Leisure's feature on the Best Beach Towns to Live In Year-Round, with Matt Brown, Naples luxury real estate expert at William Raveis, cited as a market commentator. The feature highlights the lifestyle, year-round livability, and Naples beachfront real estate desirability of the country's top coastal markets. Naples's inclusion reinforces what Naples waterfront buyers already know: this is one of the most sought-after year-round destinations on the Gulf Coast.
• Florida ranked #5 in the 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index, The Tax Foundation
• Naples recognized among Florida's 7 most festive holiday towns in the U.S. , World Atlas
• The Naples-Marco Island metro area ranks among the nation's top retirement destinations in 2026

2025

• Naples Beachfront Estate Ranks #1 Most Expensive Home Sale in the U.S. for 2025
  • A Port Royal estate homes property on Gordon Drive sold for $133 million in April 2025, the highest-priced home sale in the country that year, ahead of every transaction in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
• Naples Compound Closes at $225M, the 2nd Highest Residential Sale in U.S. History
  • Spanning 15 acres across three contiguous parcels with 800 feet of Gulf frontage, the same Port Royal estate set a Florida price record and ranks as the second-largest residential transaction in U.S. history.
• Naples Ranks Among U.S. Metros with the Highest Concentration of Independent and Self-Employed Businesses
  • A University of Illinois analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data identifies Naples as one of the top medium-sized metros in the country for nonemployer business activity, reflecting the area's strong appeal to entrepreneurs, independent professionals, and experienced retirees launching new ventures.
• Florida ranks as the world's 15th largest economy , Florida Chamber Foundation
• Southwest Florida resort (The Gasparilla Inn: Boca Grande in Lee County) voted Florida's No. 1 resort for 2025 by Travel + Leisure readers for the annual "World's Best Awards."
• Two Naples resorts (The Ritz-Carlton at #3 & The Inn on Fifth at #12) voted into the Top-15 Florida Resorts for 2025 by Travel + Leisure readers for the annual "World's Best Awards."
• Naples Ranked #2 in the Country: USA Today 10Best Readers Choice Awards for Best Small Town Food Scene (2025)
• Naples among 12 Best Places To Retire In Florida, WorldAtlas
• Naples Tour (Rising Tide Explorers) Ranked #3 on USA Today's 10BEST Kayak Tours in the United States (2025)
• Naples is the best city to retire in the United States, U.S. News & World Report

2024

• Naples Named #1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025
• Naples Named #1 Best Place to Retire in the U.S. in 2024-2025
• Naples Beach , "Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park" Ranked Among the Top 10 in the United States by Dr. Beach
• Naples beaches are among the best family beaches in Florida
  • Travel + Leisure: Best Beaches in Florida For Families (2024)
• Naples Ranked #9 in the Country: Naples in Fastest Growing Places in the U.S. in 2023-2024
  • U.S. News: 10 Florida Cities are the Fastest Growing Places in the U.S. in (2023-2024)
• Naples/Ft Myers Ranked #3 in the Nation Among Top 10 Boating Destinations for 2024
  • Boatsetter Unveils the Top 10 U.S. Boating Destinations (2024)
• 10 Top Rated Golf Courses in the Naples Area: Tiburon Golf Club, The Gold Course, Bonita Bay East, Sabal Course & More. Also see all Naples golf communities.
  • Golfpass: More than 80 Championship Courses in Naples: Top Rated Golf Courses in Naples Area (2024)
• Local Southwest Florida Hospitals Rank in the Top 250 in the Nation (Naples Daily News 2024)
  • Six SWFL Florida Hospitals make Top 100 in U.S. (2024)
• Naples named among the 8 most comfortable Gulf Coast towns for seniors by WorldAtlas

2023

• Naples Florida: Named Best Place to Retire
  • Smart Asset: Best Places in the World to Retire, Naples No 1 (2023)
• Top Beaches in Florida To Bring Your Family
  • Travel + Leisure Names the 15 Best Beaches in Florida to Bring Your Family (2023)
• Top 36 Best Places to Visit in the U.S. for Adventure: Florida Winners, Outside Magazine
  • Public Land Runner: Runner Up, Everglades National Park, Southwest Florida (2023)
  • Beach: Winner, Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida (2023)
• Naples Named #1 Safest Place to Live by US News & World Report 2022-2023

2022

• Naples, FL is 1 of the Best Places to Move in the US: Travel & Leisure
  • Naples Named One of the Best Places to Move in the United States (2022)
• Naples Named the Second Best Small American City To Live In: U.S. News & World Report
  • Naples Ranked 1 of the Best Places to Live in U.S. (2022)
• Naples Bayshore Drive Wins 2022 People's Choice Winner

2021

• Naples Florida Best Beach Town to Live In
  • Best Beach Towns To Live In 2021: Naples #1 (2021)
  • Top 10 Bucket List Beaches in Florida for Summer 2021
• Naples Ranked #2 in the U.S. News and World Report's List of The 10 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. (2021)
• Naples Ranks 7th on List of Best Places to Live in 2021

2020

• Narcity: America's 2nd Best Small City to Live In, Naples (2020)
• Wallethub: Naples Named #1 Beach Town to Live (2020)
• Marco Island and Naples Safest Cities in Florida by Alarms.or (2020)
• Naples Illustrated: 12 Naples Restaurants Honored with Golden Spoon Award (2020)
• Resonance Consultancy Ranks Naples One of Best Small Cities to Live In (2020)
• Naples Ranked #7 in the U.S. News and World Report's ranking of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. (2020)

2019

• Naples Ranked #4 for Job Growth by Forbes (2019)
• Naples Ranked #47 for Best Education Nationwide by Forbes (2019)
• Collier County Public Schools Earn "A" Rating , 3 Consecutive Years (2019)

2018

• Naples Ranked in Top 10 Places Where Americans Live the Longest by Realtor.com (2018)
• Collier County is 2nd Healthiest County in Florida for 5th Straight Year (2018)
• #1: Naples, FL Named Best Place to Retire by Livability (2018)
• Naples Florida No. 1 Community for Wellbeing, 4th Straight Year by Gallup (2018-2015)
• Florida is the #1 Destination for 15 of the 50 States for Migration for U.S. , LendingTree (2018)
• Port Royal Naples Neighborhood Ranked #1 Priciest Neighborhoods in America: Robb Report (2018)
• Naples FL has 15th-Richest Zip Code in America (2018)
• Naples has Highest Wellbeing in the Nation Per Survey (2018)
• Naples & Marco Island Named Among "20 Best Places to Vacation in Florida": TripAdvisor (2018)
• Marco Island Ranked #1 Safest City in Florida (2018)
• Naples Voted #9 Best Small Town Food Scene by USA Today's Readers (2018)
• Naples Tops in Florida on 'Best Jobs' List (2018)
• Naples Ranks #18 on The Milken Institute's Index of "Best-Performing Cities" in the Nation (2018)
• Naples Pine Ridge Estate Community Rated Best Neighborhood in United States (2018)
• Naples Ranked #1 Among US Cities As the Healthiest, Happiest, and Most Relaxed in the Nation (3rd time in a row: 2018, 2017 & 2016)
  • Today.com: US Cities Ranked Healthiest Happiest Gallup Index (2018)

2017

• Naples Area One of U.S. Happiest Cities by National Geographic (2017)
• Naples Ranked #1 Least Polluted City in the United States by Realtor.com (2017)
• Naples Named a Top 10 Destination for Adventure by US Quality Tourism Index (2017)
• Collier County #10 out of 3,142 Counties in the US for High Life Expectancy at 83.4 Years (2017)
• Everglades City in List of 11 of America's Best Small Towns Perfect for a Long Weekend Trip (2017)

2016

• Naples Named #4 Best City for Future Job Growth (2016)
• Naples Named A Top 10 Best Beach Town for Christmas by Coastal Living (2016)
• Naples Ranked by Users at Trivago.com: 1 of the #10 Best U.S. City for Hotels (2016)
• Conde Nast Traveler Names Naples as the 8th "Best Big City" in the U.S. (2016)

2015

• USA Today Readers Choice Poll: Names Naples Florida Best Luxury Travel Destination (2015)
• 7 of Florida Sites Named in Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots (2015)
• Naples Named #1 Best City for Future Job Growth (2015)
• Naples Named #1 Small Art Town in America, 27 Amazing Facts About Naples and the State of Florida (2015)

Why Do Naples Rankings Matter for Real Estate Buyers and Sellers?

Naples real estate buyers are not simply purchasing a property. They are purchasing into a market. Third-party recognition from organizations like U.S. News, Gallup, and Forbes provides independent validation that the market itself is sound: stable economic conditions, strong healthcare infrastructure, low crime, and a quality of life that supports long-term property value.

For buyers and sellers considering transactions in the $2M to $20M+ range, that validation matters because it reduces uncertainty. When independent data sources consistently name a city the best place to live, retire, and build wealth over a decade, that consensus reflects genuine market fundamentals, not promotional claims.

The same market data that drives national rankings shapes local transaction dynamics. Demand from relocating buyers, life expectancy statistics, and fiscal stability indicators all influence pricing and absorption rates in Naples communities. Understanding these connections is part of what separates informed real estate decisions from reactive ones.

Matt Brown, ranked #13 in Naples by RealTrends Verified with $700M+ in career sales, works in this recognized market every day. He guides buyers and sellers across Port Royal estate homes, Pelican Bay, Grey Oaks, and every major Naples community, drawing on 23+ years of direct market experience. For the full picture behind Naples rankings, including school grades, fiscal ratings, and demographic data, see Naples area statistics and county data.

What Do Real Estate Experts Say About Living in Naples?

In 2026, Travel + Leisure published a feature naming Naples one of the best beach towns to live in year-round. Matt Brown, luxury real estate advisor at William Raveis Real Estate in Naples, was cited as a market commentator in that feature. The recognition highlighted the city's Gulf Coast lifestyle, year-round livability, and the sustained demand from buyers relocating from across the country.

Naples has held recognition from multiple independent national organizations consistently for more than a decade. The combination of top-ranked safety, healthcare, quality of life, and real estate values creates a market profile unlike any other Gulf Coast city. That consistency is what distinguishes Naples from markets that appear briefly in annual rankings and then fade.

To explore Naples beachfront real estate, Naples waterfront homes, and the full range of communities where buyers and sellers work with Matt Brown, browse current listings or contact Matt directly.

For additional context on what draws buyers to Naples, including information on top Naples family activities, the Naples art scene and cultural venues, top Naples beaches, best private golf courses in Naples, and the celebrities who live in Naples Florida, browse the MBRE blog.

Frequently Asked Questions About Naples, Florida

What makes Naples Florida one of the best places to live in the United States?

Naples consistently earns national recognition for its combination of natural beauty, economic stability, and quality of life. U.S. News ranked Naples the #1 Best Place to Live in the United States for 2024-2025, citing outstanding healthcare facilities, low crime rates, and a year-round outdoor lifestyle. The city offers access to pristine Gulf Coast beaches, more than 80 championship golf courses, and a thriving arts and dining scene, all within one of Florida's most financially stable counties. Collier County holds one of the highest life expectancy rates in the nation at 83.4 years, reflecting the area's health and wellness infrastructure. Gallup independently measured Naples as the #1 community for wellbeing for four consecutive years, confirming what residents experience daily: Naples delivers a quality of life that very few markets in the United States can match.

Has Naples Florida won awards for retirement?

Naples has received multiple national awards recognizing it as an exceptional retirement destination. U.S. News and World Report named Naples the #1 Best Place to Retire in the United States for 2024-2025, the same year it also held the title of #1 Best Place to Live. Smart Asset independently ranked Naples the #1 Best Place to Retire in the World in 2023. Livability ranked Naples the top retirement destination in the country in 2018. Gallup measured Naples as the #1 community for overall wellbeing for four consecutive years between 2015 and 2018. The combination of year-round sunshine, accessible private and public healthcare facilities, a no-state-income-tax environment in Florida, and low property crime rates makes Naples a consistent top choice for retirees from across the country and internationally.

What is the most expensive home ever sold in Naples, Florida?

Naples set two extraordinary real estate records in 2025. A Port Royal estate on Gordon Drive sold for $133 million in April 2025, making it the single most expensive home sale in the United States for the year, surpassing every transaction in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Later that year, a second Port Royal compound spanning 15 acres with 800 feet of Gulf frontage closed at $225 million, becoming the second-highest residential sale in U.S. history and setting a Florida price record. Both transactions occurred within Port Royal, the neighborhood Robb Report ranked the #1 priciest in America in 2018. These sales reflect Port Royal's standing as one of the most prestigious residential communities in the country and the depth of ultra-luxury demand in the Naples market.

How do Naples rankings compare to other Florida cities?

Naples consistently outperforms larger Florida markets across key quality-of-life measures. In U.S. News and World Report rankings, Naples has held the #1 national position for best place to live and best place to retire, placing it above Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Sarasota. In safety rankings, Naples earned the #1 safest city designation nationally for 2022-2023. Collier County ranks as the 2nd healthiest county in Florida by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, maintaining that position for five consecutive years through 2018. Forbes ranked Naples the #1 city for future job growth in 2015 and #4 in 2016, and Gallup measured its wellbeing as highest in the nation for four consecutive years. For a market of Naples's size, this depth and consistency of recognition across independent organizations is rare among Florida cities and is a key driver of sustained buyer demand from across the country.

Which Naples neighborhoods are recognized as the most prestigious in the country?

Two Naples neighborhoods have earned specific national recognition for prestige and value. Robb Report ranked Port Royal the #1 priciest neighborhood in America in 2018, a distinction reinforced by two record-setting home sales in 2025 totaling more than $358 million. Pine Ridge Estates was named the best neighborhood in the United States in 2018 by a national neighborhood ranking. Naples also holds the 15th-richest ZIP code in America per 2018 data. Matt Brown, ranked #13 in Naples by RealTrends Verified with $700M+ in career sales and credentials including CLHMS and GRI, has represented buyers and sellers across Port Royal, Pelican Bay, Grey Oaks, Quail West, and every major Naples community. He can be reached at (239) 580-8864 or through mattbrownrealestate.com.