Where are some of the best places to live in the U.S.? Right here in the Triangle. Our Raleigh-Durham metro area snagged fourth place on U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 list of the 20 “Best Places to Live in the U.S.”
U.S. News analyzed 100 of the largest U.S. cities based on “desirability, value, quality of life, job market and more” to determine “which of the country’s largest metro areas would be more suitable for people.”
Our multi-city metro ranked well beating out the likes of Charlotte, San Diego, Houston and San Francisco. U.S. News spotlighted the area’s health care options, colleges and growing employment opportunities reporting:
“Thanks to the likes of Duke University’s nationally and regionally ranked health system, the Raleigh-Durham metro area has exceptional health care quality and availability. In addition to Duke University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and more than a dozen other colleges in the area make it a hub for academics and college-age residents, helping earn the area its title as the Research Triangle. Raleigh-Durham also has the second highest population growth from net migration of those cities in the top 10.”
Raleigh-Durham’s scorecard demonstrated an overall score of 7.5 out of 10 with points ranging from:
Desirability: 8.6
Value: 6.9
Job Market: 7.2
Quality of Life: 7.4
Net Migration: 8.3
In reference to the area’s cost of living, U.S. News reported:
“The cost of living in Raleigh-Durham is slightly lower than the national average, with home prices climbing significantly over the past few years. Housing costs will continue to rise as more people flock to the area in search of a career. However, relatively low property taxes make home ownership easier than in other major cities. Compared to other technology and research hubs like San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham is relatively affordable.”
Access the complete U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live report here. Read its article “The 20 Best Places to Live in the U.S.” here.