Many elements, such as climate, politics, or proximity to extended family, are subjective when determining where to establish permanent roots. Nearly everyone wants access to inexpensive housing, well-paying jobs, a reasonable cost of living, outstanding schools, and high-quality healthcare, among other things. Data on these vital factors were gathered for more than 100 US cities by U.S. News & World Report for its ranking of the greatest places to live in America for 2019.
This ranking takes into account data gathered before the coronavirus epidemic, even though some US cities have been more severely impacted than others by the outbreak. To definitively rank these large metro regions, we divided the data into five indexes for each city: employment market, value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration. The complete methodology of US News is available here. Below are scored on a 10-point scale for "value," which combines annual household income and cost of living, and "quality of life," which takes into consideration commute time, college preparation, and other aspects. Also included are the city's population and average annual wage.
For the third year in a row, Austin, Texas, won the top spot, while Denver, Colorado, which had been overtaken by Colorado Springs the year before, climbed back to No. 2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Knoxville, Tennessee; Lansing, Michigan; Kansas City, Missouri; Pensacola, Florida; and Indianapolis, Indiana were among the cities that made the top 10. Discover the top ten places to live in America by continuing to read.
10. Raleigh, Durham, North Carolina
The Triangle is the collective name for Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. It is a region supported by its roots in technology and research. Nearly 40,000 people work in the Triangle for organizations including IBM, SAS Institute Inc., Cisco Systems, and the nearby universities Duke, North Carolina State, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. According to a local expert, a robust employment market and a developing microbrewery and eating scene lure new inhabitants daily.
- Population: 474,069
- Average annual salary: $53,788
- Quality of life: 6.9
- Value index: 7.7
9. Seattle, Washington
Seattle is surrounded by sea and mountains, so it doesn't get quite as much rain as you might imagine, according to a local expert. Residents of the city are drawn to the area by its "calm and patience" ambiance and closeness to the outdoors. Seattle has a high concentration of jobs in the tech, healthcare, and maritime sectors, but it also serves as a significant hub for manufacturing for firms like Boeing.
- Population: 753,675
- Average annual salary: $63,120
- Quality of life: 6.6
- Value index: 5.9
8. Portland, Oregon
Portland isn't for everyone; after all, its motto is "Keep Portland Weird." However, according to a local expert, the populace there has "more academic degrees than the national average" and the city is "well-rounded with more than just the eccentric stores and events." Portland is home to major employers Intel Corporation and Nike, whose corporate offices are around seven miles from Portland.
- Population: 654,741
- Average annual salary: $55,330
- Quality of life: 6.7
- Value index: 6.0
7. San Francisco, California
San Francisco is "the epicenter of the LGBT rights movement, the beginning of the technology era," according to a local expert. It is also "the heart of the bohemian lifestyle." The Bay Area's cost of living has skyrocketed in the previous ten years as thousands of tech companies have rushed to locate there. The city boasts more than 30 international banking headquarters, so there are lots of business employment available despite all the attention being paid to the tech and startup scenes.
- Population: 881,549
- Average annual salary: $69,700
- Quality of life: 6.8
- Value index: 4.9
6. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
According to a local expert, the Twin Cities feature "big-city attractions like museums and sports stadiums, but yet have an approachable, Midwestern character." The locals enjoy cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and baseball games in the winter, as well as music festivals and other outdoor activities in the spring and summer. Jobs in science-related sectors are accessible at organizations like Xcel Energy and Medtronic as well as retail giants like Best Buy and Target.
- Population: 3,629,190
- Average annual salary: $56,030
- Quality of life: 7.1
- Value index: 7.7
5. Des Moines, Iowa
According to a local expert, Des Moines is attracting both millennials and young families because of its "unique stores, locally-owned eateries, and cool pubs," as well as its historical homes in peaceful areas. The job market is booming and is home to more than 80 insurance companies, including the enormous Allied Insurance and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
- Population: 214,237
- Average annual salary: $50,600
- Quality of life: 7.0
- Value index: 8.4
4. Fayetteville, Arkansas
The University of Arkansas' main campus is located in the city of Fayetteville, which is surrounded by the Ozark Mountains. The corporate offices of seven Fortune 500 firms, including Walmart and Tyson Foods, are located in the neighborhood in northwest Arkansas. According to a local expert, the area has transformed "from a little hamlet to a center of higher education, culture, business, and entrepreneurialism," and the city has seen enormous expansion.
- Population: 87,590
- Average annual salary: $45,830
- Quality of life: 7.5
- Value index: 8.2
3. Colorado Springs, Colorado
According to a local expert, Colorado Springs is "booming, with new homes cropping up alongside outstanding schools, parks, and cultural attractions." The community is about a one-hour drive from Denver and is close to the renowned ski resorts in Aspen and Vail. Colorado Springs' culture and economy are influenced by the military, although there are also employment opportunities in medical innovation and technology.
- Population: 478,221
- Average annual salary: $50,050
- Quality of life: 7.0
- Value index: 6.6
2. Denver, Colorado
Although Denver is located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, a local expert clarified that it is not a mountain town because it takes at least an hour to travel to the Rockies for snowboarding and skiing activities. The Mile High City, at a height of 5,279 feet, more than lives up to its name: Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, opening the door for a booming and prosperous cannabis business.
- Population: 478,221
- Average annual salary: $57,400
- Quality of life: 7.0
- Value index: 6.7
1. Austin, Texas
About 150 new people move to the Texas capital every day, and many of them are attracted to the "music, open areas, and cultural organizations," according to a local expert. With some of the greatest music and culture festivals in the nation, such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits, Austin is renowned for its live music scene. In the 1990s, the city earned the moniker "Silicon Hills" for being "among the top places for venture capital investment in the country."
- Population: 978,908
- Average annual salary: $51,840
- Quality of life: 7.3
- Value index: 6.7
Post a Comment