Recent #1 Austin, sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth, and every other Texas metro were shut out of the top 10 in the 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live list.
Released Tuesday, the rankings rate the 150 largest metros in the country in factors like affordability, job market, crime, education, desirability, and air quality.
After being #1 for three straight years, Austin dropped to #5 last year but sank to (unlucky?) #13 this year. The rising cost of living is to blame.
"For a long time Austin was considered a very affordable alternative to places like Silicon Valley and other coastal metro areas that have equally-strong job markets," said Devon Thorsby, real estate editor at U.S. News. "But I think some of the shine has worn off with Austin not being as affordable as it used to be.
Dallas-Fort Worth moved up five spots from #37 to #32.
"(DFW) ranks 28th in college-readiness among high school students, and ranks #52 for well-being," Thorsby said. "And a lot of people are moving to the area, which is great."
Texas Metros in US News Best Places list (out of 150):
13. Austin
32. Dallas-Fort Worth
58. Houston
83. San Antonio
108. Killeen
109. Beaumont
124. El Paso
133. Corpus Christi
134. Brownsville
138. McAllen
Overall Best Places to Live Top 10:
1. Huntsville, AL
2. Colorado Springs, CO
3. Green Bay, WI
4. Boulder, CO
5. San Jose, CA
6. Raleigh & Durham, NC
7. Fayetteville, AR
8. Portland, ME
9. Sarasota, FL
10. San Francisco, CA
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