COLORADO, USA — Boulder, Colorado is the best place to live in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report's annual list, and three other Colorado cities placed in the top 17.
Colorado Springs ranked sixth, Denver 14th and Fort Collins 17th in the list of 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2021-2022.
U.S. News and World Report said metro areas listed are evaluated using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, The U.S. Department of Labor, internal resources and more.
The data is then categorized into five indexes using "a methodology determined by Americans' preferences" based on a May 2021 survey and weighted with a percentage, according to U.S. News and World Report:
- Job market (21.2%)
- Value (23.7%)
- Quality of life (26%)
- Desirability (16.3%)
- Net migration (12.8%)
>Tweet thread above: 9NEWS' Chris Vanderveen talks about metrics that aren't used in lists like these.
While Boulder lagged other cities with a value score of six, its quality of life score of 8.2 was second only behind Ann Arbor, Michigan. Boulder also did well in the job market and desirability categories, scoring above an eight in both categories. The city's overall score was 7.6.
"This blissed-out enclave attracts young professionals, families, academics, scientists, transplants from both coasts, old guards who insist it was way cooler in the 1970s and, above all, lovers of outdoor recreation," according to the profile.
Coming in just a few spots behind, Colorado Springs scored a perfect 10 in desirability, while scoring well for the job market, quality of life and value. Overall it scored 7.3.
"Here, you’ll find a city that blends colorful nature with rugged history and metropolitan spoils," the profile says. "Despite the sprawl, people regularly stop to say hello to someone they know at their neighborhood brewery or grocery store. That's the small-town scene the city aims to preserve."
Meanwhile, Denver's overall score of 7.1 was boosted by a number of categories including high marks in desirability, job market, net migration and quality of life.
"Denver's location at the base of the Rocky Mountains provides a gateway to a slew of outdoor pursuits, although it is probably best known for its devout ski and snowboard enthusiasts," the city's profile says.
Fort Collins rounds out Colorado cities that made the list, getting an overall score of 7.1 with high marks in net migration, quality of life, job market and desirability.
"Fort Collins is known to many nationally as the Napa Valley of craft beer, hosting big names like New Belgium Brewing Co. along with new up-and-comers," according to the profile. "Outdoor recreation is a big driver of the economy and popular in social circles."
> Top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER right now to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Colorado real estate market
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.