Anyone looking to move could do worse than to make Austin, Texas their new home. According to U.S. News & World Report, Austin has topped their list for the second year in a row of the best cities to live in. The country’s 125 largest cities were ranked based on five factors: job market, quality of life, value, net migration, and desirability. Each criterion was ranked on a 1 to 10 scale, and overall Austin earned a 7.7 score. According to The Statesman, Mayor Adler was seen crowing about the results on Twitter—and justifiably so. He called Austin “the best place to live in America” and the proof is in the results below. Although serious injuries do occur in the city, it is still an incredible place to call home.
Job Market
Austin scored well on the job market criterion, earning a 7.4 out of a possible 10.0. Austin’s super-low unemployment rate of 3.2% is below the national average, and its $50,830 average annual salary is also above the national average. Those moving to Austin should have plenty of job opportunities, with the city experiencing strong growth in a variety of sectors including technology, finance, manufacturing, and construction.
Quality of Life
Compared to other Texas cities, Austin is extremely livable. The average commute is 26.4 minutes, and many people ride a bicycle or walk to work.
Other factors used to calculate quality of life include the city’s crime rates, availability of health care, education quality, and well-being. Unsurprisingly, Austin scores well in each category, undoubtedly because of the presence of the University of Texas campus and the city’s world-class hospitals. Overall, Austin scored a 7.1 in the quality of life index.
Value
Austin is no longer the state’s best kept secret. Instead, that secret is out! A couple decades ago, people looking for cheap housing and great weather discovered Austin, and they arrived in droves. They haven’t stopped yet.
However, one consequence of becoming so popular is that housing costs have increased. The average median home price is now $278,608, which is almost $50,000 more than the rest of the nation. For this reason, Austin scored lowest in the value index with a score of 7.1.
Net Migration
Austin’s booming population is proof of its desirability. According to U.S. Census data, the city grew from 656,000 in 2000 to 790,000 in 2010. Estimates place the current population at about 948,000, a 20% increase from only eight years ago. Austin scored an impressive 9.4 on net migration.
Desirability
To calculate a city’s desirability, U.S. News used SurveyMonkey to sample people around the country about where they wanted to live. Austin again scored an impressive 8.9 on the desirability index—but the ever-swelling population told you it was a desirable place, didn’t it?
Do You Have a Legal Question? Contact Us Today for Help
With so many people coming into the city, legal disputes are unavoidable. Increased traffic on the road will lead to collisions, with motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians suffering the worst injuries. If you have been injured in an accident, know that legal help is available. Contact DJC Law for your free consultation today or call (512) 888-9999.
