The latest ranking of U.S. cities with the best quality of life was just published by U.S. News and World Report. Here are the factors used to rank cities:
- Crime rates
- Education quality
- Health and happiness
- The Commuter Index Healthcare quality and availability Air Quality Index (AQI) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Risk Index, which assesses a metropolitan area’s risk to natural hazards and community risk factors
The report mentions that data from a public survey conducted in March 2023 was utilized to rank the cities. Although Florida is often associated with retirement, none of its cities made it into the top 10 rankings by the U.S. News and World Report.
Ann Arbor, Mich: The Best U.S. City for Quality of Life
Rating for quality of life: 7.9
Ann Arbor ranks as the top U.S. city for quality of life. According to the U.S. News and World report, over 90% of the city’s residents are within a 10-minute walk from a public park. According to a report by SmartAsset in 2023, Ann Arbor experienced the most rapid growth in its Gen Z population (ages 18 to 24) in 2022. In the city, 26.4% of the population consisted of new Gen Zers, making up a total population of 35.9%.
Ann Arbor houses the University of Michigan, a major employer in the city. Ann Arbor is also part of the Greater Detroit area and is just under an hour’s drive away. The cost of living in the Michigan city is 4% above the national average, as reported by PayScale. The typical home value in Ann Arbor is currently $471,650, showing a 5.7% increase from last year, as reported by Zillow.
Also Read: Listing 5 Worst Neighborhoods in Atlanta to Stay Away in 2024
10 Best U.S. Cities for Quality of Life
- Ann Arbor, Mich.
- Boulder, Colo.
- Madison, Wis.
- San Jose, Calif.
- Portland, Maine
- Boston, Mass.
- Green Bay, Wis.
- Hartford, Conn.
- Rochester, N.Y.
- Trenton, N.J.
Boulder ranks as the second-best city in the U.S. for quality of life, scoring 7.7. There are over 60 parks and 155 miles of hiking trails in the city. The downtown area of Boulder is brimming with restaurants and bars, and the outdoor Pearl Street Mall is a well-known shopping spot.
Boulder, similar to Ann Arbor, has been recognized as a city experiencing rapid growth among the Gen Z demographic, as reported by SmartAsset. Last year, the city saw a 23.4% increase in Gen Z residents, making up a total of 33.2% of the population. Boulder, located approximately 25 miles north of Colorado’s capital, Denver, is where you can find the largest University of Colorado campus. The typical home price in Boulder is currently $958,651, showing a 1.3% decrease from last year, as reported by Zillow.
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