AUSTIN LEADS TOP FIVE PLACES TO LIVE IN 2017 ACCORDING TO US NEWS & WORLD REPORT

Daily Mail
February 8, 2017

1. AUSTIN, TEXAS

The Texan capital was nominated the best place to live according to a new survey, with 50 people moving to the city every day.

The city has a population of almost 1.9 million people and an average salary of $49,560.

House prices work out on average $262,000 and there is around 32 inches of rain a year, with temperatures normally ranging between 55F-80F.

With an unemployment rate of just 3.2 per cent and a 26-minute average commute it is proving very popular.

Renting in the city works out around $1,044 a month.

2. DENVER, COLORADO

Denver has dropped one place in the rankings this year which is probably unrelated to the state's decision to legalize marijuana.

The city has a population of approximately 2.7 million who have an average salary of $54,450, which is higher than Austin, but the median cost of houses works out around $314,000.

But for those who want to rent, can find a home for $1,049 and will get into work in only 27 minutes.

Temperatures in Denver range from an average of 65F in the summer to a bracing 36F.

3. SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

Located in the middle of Silicon Valley, San Jose is home to the technical heart of America and a large number of very well paid professionals.

The city's population is almost 1.3 million whose average salary is $78,000 a year.

With average temperatures ranging between 72F and 51F with rainfall just shy of 15 inches, it has a very pleasant climate with 300 days of sunshine a year.

Unsurprisingly, the city's high wages mean the median home price is $830,000 and rent works out around $1,700 a month.

Getting to work isn't too stressful either with an average commute time of 26 minutes.

4. WASHINGTON DC

The nation's capital has been described as a 'swamp' during the recent presidential campaign by Donald Trump but it still remains one of the best places in the United States to live.

Almost six million people live in the city which has an average salary of almost $66,000.

Climate would not be a reason to move to DC, which averages between 67F and 49.5F and boasts almost 40 inches of rain a year.

The 34.5 minute commute is higher than the national average.

For those who cannot afford the $372,000 average house, rent works out around $1,500 a month.

5. FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

The area surrounding Fayetteville is known as the home of Wal-Mart and scores very highly on the cost of living indexes.

There are 493,000 people living in the city although this figure is rapidly increasing with homes costing less than the national average.

Homes in Fayetteville cost on average $182,500 while rent is far less than the other cities at the top of the list costing $738 a month.

The area has to contend with an average of 48 inches of rain a week.

The city boasts an unemployment rate of just 2.9 per cent while the commute to work takes 21 minutes.

Rain aside, temperatures in the city range on average between 68F during the summer and 45F in winter