How Providence ranks in U.S. News & World annual 'Best Places to Live in U.S.' list
The annual rankings from U.S. News & World Report of 150 "Best Places to Live in the U.S." are in and Providence ranks at No. 86.
That puts the Creative Capital behind Portland at 7; Boston at 44, Manchester, New Hampshire, at 51, Hartford at 56, and Worcester at 77. Providence came out ahead of New Haven at 98 and Springfield at 108.
The rankings are based on five categories — desirability, value, job market, quality of life, and net migration — which are a compilation of survey data and national data, such as labor statistics, housing prices and even the weather. Providence scored lowest on desirability and net migration and scored highest on the quality of life metric.
Providence ranked high for quality of life
The quality of life score was high enough that Providence ranked No. 24 in the country.
"Providence is a culturally diverse metro area home to young professionals and artists, characterized by a quaint New England vibe," U.S. News & World Report wrote in their findings. "The city has a budding economy fueled by the health care, education, tourism and financial sectors. Over the past several decades, Providence has undergone a dramatic facelift following a period of industrial decline. Providence's renaissance is now evident throughout the metro area, from the carefully restored urban landscape of downtown to the hip coffee shops and thriving community gardens of the trendy West End."
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Providence was rated at No. 47 for best places to retire.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Best Places to Live in U.S. ranks Providence below 5 New England cities
