Why Denver barely made the top 100 'Best Places to Live'

Mile High City is no longer a top choice for U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Places to Live” list.

What are the reasons? The reasons?

Two Colorado cities also ranked among the top 10 in the rankings published this week. Boulder has maintained its number one ranking. Colorado Springs, which was ranked No. 2 last year, has fallen to No. 4. Colorado Springs dropped from No. 2 to No. 4 this year. 9.

Denver, which was ranked No. 2 in 2021, barely made the top 100 cities this year. In the last year's report, the city ranked 55. The city was ranked No. 55 in the report from last year.

Devon Thorsby, the Real Estate Editor of U.S. New, said that among other things, Denver's high cost of living is a major reason why people cannot afford to live there comfortably.

Thorsby, speaking to the Denver Business Journal, said that they had also looked at the costs of goods and services across the U.S. This year. Denver now ranks 16th out of 150 U.S. metro areas.

Colorado Springs was also criticized for its affordability in the report.

Thorsby also pointed out that other factors affect the quality of living in Denver, including crime, commutes and pollution.

Thorsby added that Denver ranked 136th out of 150 cities for crime. This includes property crime, violent crimes and murder rates, as reported by FBI. It also ranks No. It also ranks No. Air quality is based on EPA's Air Quality Index.

Denver, she added, ranks No. 13 for well-being, which means residents are reporting overall happiness with living in the area, as well as No. Denver, she added, ranks No. 13 in overall satisfaction with the region, meaning residents report a general feeling of happiness. Its strong job market is ranked at No. 15.

Thorsby stated that "affordability and quality of life are major factors for people when they're considering moving. Denver is lower on the list overall."

Boulder's better ranking was based on its outdoor activities and health, which made it one of the five top choices.

"Had enough with the 9-to-5? The report suggested that dirtbag boulderers should live in vans, do odd jobs, and be a fixture on the legendary crags of the area. This blissed out enclave is a magnet for young professionals, families and academics. It also attracts scientists, researchers, people from both coasts as well as old guards that insist the area was cooler in 1970.

Ft. Collins was ranked No. 23 in the list of top 25 cities. 23 showing.

Check out the top 10 including their scores.

Portland, Maine
Charlotte, N.C.
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Fayetteville, Ark.

U.S. News & World Report ranks 150 of the most populous metropolises in the United States according to the following metrics.

Job Market Index -- 19% unemployment and average salary

The U.S. Census Bureau and FBI provide data for the rankings, as do Sharecare, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and U.S. News' rankings of best high schools and hospitals. The methodology examines thousands individual surveys to determine what people consider most important in deciding where they want to live.

It is important to note that the ranking methodology has changed from 2020 when Colorado cities were ranked higher.

These metrics were:

Job Market Index – 10.42%

Thorsby acknowledged that metrics had changed, but he emphasized the impact they have on ranking results.

Thorsby stated that "we see that Denver housing costs are continuing to increase relative to the median household income in the area, which has played a significant role in the rankings ever since they were created." While newly introduced categories and information points may have an effect on a metro area's rankings from year to year they are not the only factor.