Seattle rose in the ranks when it comes to best places to live. The city moved up to sixth place this year from seventh, according to the U.S. News & World Report rankings.
The method used to determine the ratings was based on the job market and value indexes. The quality of life, desirability and net migration were also factored in the equation.
The report details Seattle as having a healthy job market, although being one of the most expensive places to live. The median home price in the city is more than $350,000. Seattleites also seem to earn more than the average American with a reported annual salary of almost $60,000.
The top 10 cities:
- Austin
- Denver
- San Jose, CA
- Washington, DC
- Fayetteville, AR
- Seattle
- Raleigh & Durham, NC
- Boston
- Des Moines, IA
- Salt Lake City
The report details Seattle as having a healthy job market, although being one of the most expensive places to live. The median home price in the city is more than $350, 000. Seattleites also seem to earn more than the average American with a reported annual salary of almost $60, 000.
Another factor in metro comparisons is Seattle’s natural beauty, surrounded by mountains and water, which many people like. The report also puts that all important question on many folks’ minds: Does it rain a lot?
The profile said that Seattle gets less rain annually than Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Miami, and many other major metro areas.
Transportation in the metro area is described as being horrendous. Because the city is penned between two bodies of water and other geographic limitations, the expansion of roads is limited making commuting frustrating with bottlenecks.
The city that made the number one spot was Austin, Texas. Austin had a desirability index score of 8.4 out of 10. Seattle's score is a perfect 10. The quality of life index was a 6.2 and the job market a 7.6. Seattle's overall score is 7.2.
The publisher gathered data from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor and other sources.
See the full city rankings from 1 to 100 by clicking here.
Cox Media Group
