U.S. News & World Report recently revealed its 2016 Best Places to Live report, a ranking that lists the nation’s top 100 metro areas based on a number of factors.
This study combined thousands of surveys across the U.S. combining data from the United States Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, data from U.S. News rankings of the Best High Schools and Best Hospitals was also used to forming this list.
Five indexes of measurement comprise the U.S. News “Scorecard,” which allow of residents nationwide to indicate what elements of living are most valuable to them. Below, the percentages next to each index indicate the weight each has on the study results.
Job market index (20 percent) considers median salary and unemployment rates.
The value index (25 percent) considers median annual household income and cost of living.
The quality of life index (30 percent) looks at crime rates, health care availability, quality of education, commute, and well-being. Well-being involves resident satisfaction in social, physical and financial aspects.
The desirability index (15 percent) used the Google Consumer Survey to poll people on where they think the most ideal place to live is.
The net migration index (10 percent) measures how many people are moving to and away from metro areas based on U.S. Census data.
Houston made the list at NO. 17 Best Places to Live in the US.
Value: 7.1
Median home price: $190,000
Median rent: $910
“The Best Places to Live ranking accounts for the most important concerns people have about where to live, such as cost of living, employment opportunities and access to good schools,” product manager for Real Estate at U.S. News Miriam Weiner says. “Top-ranked areas not only have steady job markets, but they also have attributes that contribute to a high quality of life – affordability, low crime rates, shorter commute times and quality health care.”