This big metro Phoenix city was just named a top place to live in the US
Phoenix is the biggest city in the state, but is it the best place to live?
A new ranking from U.S. News & World Report determined what 15 big cities would be the best to live in the country. It was actually Arizona's third-largest city that made the list, not Phoenix.
The city, located in the East Valley, didn't just make the cut — it landed in the top 10. Here's what to know.
Just east of Phoenix, Mesa, which is Spanish for 'table,' sits on a flat-topped plateau overlooking the valley. The city ranked No. 9 out of 15 on the list.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Mesa ranked within the top 20% of all cities for net migration, and the job market is healthier than similarly sized areas. Median home prices are approximately $50,000 more than the national average, but that hasn't stopped people from moving there.
The Superstition Mountains provide Mesa with a rugged, picturesque backdrop. According to U.S. News & World Report, Mesa is surrounded by outdoor recreation, from an abundance of trails, camping, golf, hot-air ballooning and lakes for fishing and boating.
Population: 530,240
Average commute: 22 minutes
Median home price: $427,075
Median monthly rent: $1,389
Median household income: $80,935
What's new in the East Valley? A pickleball palace is opening its 1st Arizona location. Here's where
Oklahoma City
El Paso, Texas
Austin, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Nashville, Tennessee
San Antonio, Texas
Jacksonville, Florida
Charlotte, North Carolina
Mesa
Houston
Columbus, Ohio
Seattle
Dallas
Indianapolis
San Diego
U.S. News & World Report analyzed 859 cities across the country for its annual "250 Best Places to Live" list. The publication based its rankings on data from various categories, including affordability, quality of life, job market strength, overall desirability, crime rates, commute times to health care access, education quality, net migration and cost of living.
A big city, according to U.S. News & World Report, boasts a population of 499,000 or more. The news organization took 15 big cities from the main list and ranked them separately.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mesa named top big US city to live in
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