The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings have revealed that Austin, known as the Live Music Capital, has slipped to an unexpected 164th position among the best places to live in the U.S.
In contrast, several neighboring Central Texas suburbs are basking in much higher rankings, demonstrating their appeal in areas such as housing affordability and overall desirability.
Rankings are determined by a combination of public data and user opinions, reflecting feedback on various factors like traffic congestion and housing costs.
With median household incomes soaring in these suburbs, it’s no surprise that places like Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, and Round Rock have made impressive showings.
Leander has earned the impressive 8th spot on the list, boasting a median household income of $131,822.
Pflugerville follows closely at 15th place, with a median income of $118,047, while Cedar Park ranks 23rd and the population of 77,959 enjoys a median income of $124,554.
Round Rock rounds out the top 30 at 28th position, supported by its vibrant community and median household income of $101,663.
In comparison, Austin, with nearly a million residents and a median income of $96,149, appears to be grappling with issues that may detract from its livability, including heavy traffic and rising housing costs.
This is further highlighted by the rankings of other Texas cities. For instance, El Paso, with a population of 666,841, ranked 107th and has a median income of $57,754.
Georgetown, with a population of 80,185 and a median income of $99,965, achieved a ranking of 113th.
The trend continues with larger cities like Fort Worth and San Antonio, ranking at 212th and 236th, respectively.
Fort Worth has a median household income of $77,336 with a population of 982,203, while San Antonio is trailing behind at a median income of $64,957 and a whopping 1,467,811 residents.
The data suggests that larger cities often face penalties in such rankings due to common urban issues, whereas smaller suburban areas can focus on improving quality of life measures that matter to their residents.
Austin’s unique charm and cultural significance continue to attract newcomers, fueling its rapid growth and vibrant music scene.
However, it appears that the survey respondents are increasingly valuing more practical living conditions over Austin’s quirky and artsy reputation.
Outside Texas, the rankings spotlight cities like Johns Creek, Georgia, taking the top spot, followed by Carmel, Indiana.
Other notable mentions include Fishers, Indiana; Cary, North Carolina; and Apex, North Carolina.
Amidst this reshuffling of rankings, Pearland from Texas also makes the list, closely followed by Leander, which is now the only Texas city in the top 10.
In a landscape where suburban ease trumps urban allure, Austin and other large Texas metros may need to rethink their strategies if they hope to reclaim their spots among the nation’s best places to live.
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