Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Fayetteville was once again ranked within the top 10 best places to live in the country by U.S. News & World Report in its annual “Best Places to Live” report.
With its No. 8 ranking, it’s the fifth year in a row for Fayetteville to be included near the top of the list. The city was named No. 3 in 2016, No. 5 in both 2017 and 2018, and No. 4 in 2019.
“Located in a region that’s experiencing drastic growth, Fayetteville – together with Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale – has transformed from a small town to a center of higher education, culture, commerce and entrepreneurialism,” according to the report.
Top 10 Places to Live
As reported by U.S. News & World Report in its annual “Best Places to Live” rankings.
1. Boulder, CO
2. Denver, CO
3. Austin, TX
4. Colorado Springs, CO
5. Fort Collins, CO
6. Charlotte, NC
7. Des Moines, IA
8. Fayetteville, AR
9. Portland, OR
10. San Francisco, CA
Topping the chart this year is Boulder, Colorado, which pushed Austin, Texas to the No. 3 spot after three years at the top of the list.
Four Colorado cities are included in the top 10 this year, along with Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins.
Other cities in the top 10 include Charlotte, North Carolina; Des Moines, Iowa; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco, California.
“People from all over the world call Fayetteville home,” the report states. “Newcomers often comment on the friendliness of Fayetteville residents. People wave and smile at each other in the street, and community events are well-attended. With dozens of volunteer organizations and nonprofits, there’s an abundance of ways to get involved in the community.”
The publication analyzed the nation’s 100 largest metro areas and ranked them based on several criteria including value and cost of living, quality of life, job market health, and desirability to live there.
Fayetteville received a value index of 8.2 out of a possible 10, meaning the city offers a better value than similarly sized cities when comparing housing costs to median household income.
“I am extremely proud that Fayetteville has been chosen once again as one of the top ten best places to live,” said Mayor Lioneld Jordan. “Fayetteville has so much to offer, from our natural resources to our commitment to sustainability, to our vibrant economic landscape. But our greatest asset is our people. When we work together—to improve our quality of life as our community grows and develops, to welcome all to a community with a place for everyone—we all benefit.”
