Skip to headerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
Get our Free E-newslettersGet our Free E-newsletters
Kiplinger logoLink to homepage
Get our Free E-newslettersGet our Free E-newsletters
Subscribe to Kiplinger
Subscribe to Kiplinger
Save up to 76%
Subscribe
Subscribe to Kiplinger
  • Store
  • Home
  • Investing
  • Retirement
  • Taxes
  • Personal Finance
  • Your Business
  • Wealth Creation
  • More
    • Podcasts
    • Economic Outlooks
    • Tools
  • My Kiplinger
    • Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine
    • The Kiplinger Letter
    • The Kiplinger Tax Letter
    • Kiplinger's Investing for Income
    • Kiplinger's Retirement Report
    • Store
    • Manage My E-Newsletters
    • My Subscriptions
  • Home
  • real estate
real estate

2008 BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

In our search for the ten best cities in which to live and work, we sought places with strong economies and abundant jobs, plus reasonable living costs and plenty of fun things to do.

by: Kiplinger Team
January 1, 2012

In our search for the ten best cities in which to live and work, we sought places with strong economies and abundant jobs, plus reasonable living costs and plenty of fun things to do. When we ran the numbers, some of the places that popped up made us do a double take at first. But we think our formula highlights places destined for future success. Take a look at our rankings.

The slide show begins with the navigation bar to the right. For a full explanation of our criteria click here.

1 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

iStock

No. 1: Houston, Texas

Population: 5,542,048Population Growth Since 2000: 14.9%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 31.3%Cost-of-Living Index: 88.1 (100 being national average)Median Household Income: $50,250Income Growth Since 2000: 13.1%

Take Our Tour of HoustonMore on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?

2 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

iStock

No. 2: Raleigh, N.C.

Population: 995,662Population Growth Since 2000: 19.9%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 36.1%Cost-of-Living Index: 99 (100 being national average)Median Household Income: $56,150Income Growth Since 2000: 10.3%

Take Our Tour of RaleighMore on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?

3 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

iStock

No. 3: Omaha, Neb.

Population: 821,356Population Growth Since 2000: 6.6%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 30%Cost-of-Living Index: 89.4 (100 being national average)Median Household Income: $51,627Income Growth Since 2000: 15.1%

Take Our Tour of OmahaMore on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?

4 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

iStock

No. 4: Boise, Idaho

Population: 568,086Population Growth Since 2000: 18.2%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 33.2%Cost-of-Living Index: 95.5 (100 being national average)Median Household Income: $49,833Income Growth Since 2000: 16.6%

Take Our Tour of BoiseMore on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?

5 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

iStock

No. 5: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Population: 600,444Population Growth Since 2000: 10.5%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 34.1%Cost-of-Living Index: 95.3 (100 being national average)Median Household Income Since 2000: 53,486Income Growth Since 2000: 16.1%

Take Our Tour of Colorado SpringsMore on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?

6 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

iStock

No. 6: Austin, Texas

Population: 1,506,425Population Growth Since 2000: 17%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 36.5%Cost-of-Living Index: 92.8 (100 being national average)Median Household Income: $52,882Income Growth Since 2000: 12.2%

Take Our Tour of AustinMore on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?

7 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

iStock

No. 7: Fayetteville, Ark.

Population: 419,455Population Growth Since 2000: 17.3%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 31.4%Cost-of-Living Index: 90.4 (100 being national average)Median Household Income: $42,267Income Growth Since 2000: 17.6%

Take Our Tour of FayettevilleMore on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?

8 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

iStock

No. 8: Sacramento, Calif.

Population: 2,067,117Population Growth Since 2000: 13.1%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 34%Cost-of-Living Index: 121.7 (100 being national average)Median Household Income: $56,953Income Growth Since 2000: 19.1%

More on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?

9 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

iStock

No. 9: Des Moines, Iowa

Population: 532,425Population Growth Since 2000: 9.6%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 32.1%Cost-of-Living Index: 90.6 (100 being national average)Median Household Income: $53,384Income Growth Since 2000: 16.3%

More on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?

10 of 10

BEST CITIES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

No. 10: Provo, Utah

Population: 474,351Population Growth Since 2000: 20.6%Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 32%Cost-of-Living Index: 97.7 (100 being national average)Median Household Income: $50,583Income Growth Since 2000: 12.2%

Take Our Tour of ProvoMore on This CityWhich City Is Best for You?See How Your City Ranks

  • buying a home
  • real estate
Share via EmailShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn

Recommended

15 Best Foreclosure Sites for Finding Properties
Making Your Money Last

15 Best Foreclosure Sites for Finding Properties

If you’re searching for foreclosures for sale for your next home or to flip for a profit, these websites will guide you to foreclosures to buy.
January 6, 2021
A Golf Course Community’s Big Variable for Retirees
Smart Buying

A Golf Course Community’s Big Variable for Retirees

Golf club memberships can often be a separate, and hefty, annual fee at golf communities. Here's some guidance before you tee up your retirement move …
December 14, 2020
A Snowbird’s Preflight Checklist for Insurance
Making Your Money Last

A Snowbird’s Preflight Checklist for Insurance

If you're spending part of the year in Florida, Arizona or any other state, seniors should follow this guidance about managing two homes in retirement…
December 8, 2020
Analyst: Housing Market Will Stay Strong in 2021
Markets

Analyst: Housing Market Will Stay Strong in 2021

But the pace of home sales could slow by the end of the year.
November 27, 2020

Most Popular

Where's My Stimulus Check? Use the IRS's "Get My Payment" Portal to Get an Answer
Coronavirus and Your Money

Where's My Stimulus Check? Use the IRS's "Get My Payment" Portal to Get an Answer

The IRS has an online tool that lets you track the status of your second stimulus check.
January 18, 2021
When Could We Get a Third Stimulus Check?
Coronavirus and Your Money

When Could We Get a Third Stimulus Check?

President Biden and others in Congress are pushing for a third-round of stimulus checks, but it might be a while before we get them.
January 20, 2021
The Recovery Rebate Credit: Get Your Full Stimulus Check Payment With This Tax Credit
Tax Breaks

The Recovery Rebate Credit: Get Your Full Stimulus Check Payment With This Tax Credit

If you didn't get a stimulus check, or you didn't get the full amount, you may be able to claim the recovery rebate credit on your 2020 tax return.
January 18, 2021
  • Customer Service
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us (PDF)
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Kiplinger Careers
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Preferences

Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Save up to 76%Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Dennis Publishing Ltd logoLink to Dennis Publishing Ltd website
Do Not Sell My Information

The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc., is part of the Dennis Publishing Ltd. Group.
All Contents © 2021, The Kiplinger Washington Editors

Follow us on InstagramFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterConnect on LinkedInConnect on YouTube