Nashville ranks No. 13 in 100 best cities to live – The Tennessean
Nashville’s “it-city” status will carry on through 2017 as U.S. News & World Report this week named it one of the best places to live in America.
After ranking the country’s 100 largest metropolitan areas, Music City ranked the 13th best place to live in the entire country beating cities including Charlotte (14) Dallas (15) and San Francisco (9).
Austin took the top spot this year, followed by Denver and San Jose. San Juan, Puerto Rico, ranked last on the list
The list evaluated several factors in its ranking including resident desirability, job prospects, affordability and quality of life.
According to U.S. News, thousands of people nationwide were asked to determine which qualities they consider important in a hometown. Data from the United States Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Labor Statistics — as well as rankings of the best hospitals and high schools — were also taken into consideration.
Job growth statistics also gave the city a boost in its high ranking: According to the report, Music City residents spend just over 27 percent of their income on housing.
“Job growth in Nashville has been consistently strong,” U.S News wrote in the report. “Nashville is a huge health care hub. Vanderbilt University, the Hospital Corporation (HCA) of American and Community Health Systems (CHS) employ thousands of residents. Smaller health care startups have taken root here too, with many business accelerator programs like the Jumpstart Foundry and Healthbox Technologies shepherding their growth.”
Educational statistics also helped the city’s ranking: Nashville has 85 public elementary, middle and high schools and 120 private schools. Nine high schools are recognized on U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools rankings. Nashville is also home to 11 colleges and universities, two which earned places on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings.
Nashville’s bump to 13 this year came after last year being ranked as No. 22 last year. Dallas ranked 21, Charlotte ranked 15 and San Francisco ranked 9 last year.
To see the full 2017 list visit: http://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live
Nashville living stats for 2017:
Metro Population: 1,761,848
Median Home Price: $200,590
Average monthly rent: $869
Median Annual Salary: $44,700
Top 20 best cities to live in the U.S. in 2017
1. Austin, Texas
2. Denver, Colorado
3. San Jose, California
4. Washington, D.C.
5. Fayetteville, Arkansas
6. Seattle, Washington
7. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
8. Boston, Massachusetts
9. Des Moines, Iowa
10. Salt Lake City, Utah
11. Colorado Springs, Colorado
12. Boise, Idaho
13. Nashville, Tennessee
14. Charlotte, North Carolina
15. Dallas, Texas
16. San Francisco, California
17. Minneapolis, Minnesota
18. Madison, Wisconsin
19. Grand Rapids, Michigan
20. Houston, Texas