U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Austin as the best place to live in the United States. With an overall score of 7.8 out of 10, Austin beat out other top metro areas such as Denver in second place with a score of 7.5, and San Jose in third place with a score of 7.4.
U.S. News & World Report analyzed 100 metro areas across the United States based on people's desire to live in the area, the perceived value of living in the area, the job market, the quality of life available to residents, and the net population.
Here's how Austin ranked on the scorecard:
- Desirability: 8.4
- Value: 7.3
- Job Market: 7.5
- Quality of Life: 7.3
- Net Migration: 9.8
What Makes Austin The Best Place To Live
Desirability
Austin is known as the "Live Music Capital of the World" and is home to banner music festivals such as Austin City Limits and Fun Fun Fun Fest. South by Southwest has grown into one of the largest film, interactive media, music, and comedy events in the country since its inauguration in the late 1980s. The event is hosted every year in March and is best known for its conferences, festivals, and exhibitions, but also provides creative professionals from around the world with an opportunity to network and collaborate on new projects.
Quickly becoming known for its food and beverage scene, Austin is exploding with diverse restaurants and craft breweries. From ethnic food trucks to fine dining restaurants, locals can be found indulging in a wide variety of culinary experiences or meeting up with friends for a locally brewed craft beer, all while taking in incredible live music throughout the city.
If you love live sports, Austin is the place for you! Austinites are known For being passionate fans of the University of Texas Longhorns. Throw on the burnt orange color and cheer the team on while tailgating before a Longhorn's football game or surround yourself by screaming basketball fans in the school's arena. Austin also plays host to adrenaline pumping sports such as the X Games and Formula One races at the Circuit of The Americas.
Quality of Life
Austinites are known for being some of the most active and culturally indulgent people in the country, with access to outstanding outdoor space (including over 250 parks) and cultural institutions like the State Capitol Building or the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum.
Traffic congestion can be an issue in Austin (the average commute time being 26.2 minutes), but can be avoided with flexible work schedules, due diligence when choosing a neighborhood, and by using public transportation, walking, or biking. Amtrak trains and intercity buses also serve the metro area, providing Austinites with yet another option when it comes to travel. Austin-Berstrom International Airport is just a few miles from the downtown area and offers roughly 300 flights each day, with the addition of reduced fares for travel to San Diego and Washington, DC.
Value
The cost of living in Austin is much lower than many of America's leading cities. Although the steep growth in population has meant rising values for Austin's housing market, housing prices are still affordable compared to many other major markets. When navigating the competitive Austin real estate market, finding the right REALTOR® will reduce the stress of house hunting or listing your home.
To further help the wallets of Austinites, there are no personal or corporate income taxes as well as low state and local tax rates.
Job Market
Many Austinites are government employees in various state agencies that have headquarters in the city. University of Texas is another top employer, providing more than 24,000 full time positions to faculty and staff.
In the 1990s, Austin received the nickname "Silicon Hills" and has become one of the top areas in the country for venture capital investments, making it a top choice for entrepreneurs, inventors, and tech industry workers.
Because Austin has become one of the most desirable places to work, the city's unemployment rate is lower than the national average. Coupled with household incomes being well above the national average, it's becoming clear as to why so many are making the move to Austin.
Net Migration
The population in Austin is one of the fastest growing in the U.S., with approximately 50 unique individuals relocating to the area each day. This increase has diversified Austin's resident portfolio, from students to single professionals to families to retirees— all excited to call Austin home. Many students choose to live in Central Austin because of its close proximity to the University of Texas campus. Most young professional, wealthy retirees, lawyers, and lobbyists prefer the thousands of apartments and condos available in the city's downtown area, while families migrate to the suburban areas away from the Austin bustling core.
If you're thinking about relocating to Austin, contact JB Goodwin to begin your home search in the number one place to live in the U.S.!
Posted by Mary Ann Castro on
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