CNN Money recently published a list of the top 100 cities across the United States. The list focuses on cities with populations from 50,000 - 300,000. The cities are ranked based on economic strength, quality of health care, crime rate, quality of schools, and available activities. Utah came away with 4 cities in the top 100: South Jordan (18), Sandy (51), Orem (55), and St. George (62).
South Jordan
The highest ranked Utah city on the list comes in at #18. CNNMoney points out fast growth, the Daybreak community, a low crime rate, healthy job market, a wealth of outdoor activities, and the lowest divorce rate (4.6%) of any other city on the list, as reasons that South Jordan is a great city to live in. The only negative comment from the study was the low racial diversity of 29.6 where 100 is the national average.
- Median family income (per year): $86,004
- Annual cost of living: $101,377
- Job growth (2000-2011) 95.16%
- Median home price: $255,982 (current homes for sale)
- Median age: 29.1
Sandy
The next highest Utah city is Sandy coming in at #51. CNNMoney calls Sandy "the ultimate base camp" with quick access to 4 world-class ski resorts, Rio Tinto Stadium, shopping centers and the Sandy Amphitheater. The report points to higher home prices as a possible drawback. Sandy has been a real estate Hot Spot for most of the year!
- Median family income (per year): $86,141
- Annual cost of living: $90,962
- Job growth (2000-2011) 3.71%
- Median home price: $219,516 (homes currently for sale)
- Median age: 29.4
Orem
Coming in at #55, Orem is the 3rd highest Utah city on the list. Calling itself "Family City U.S.A." Orem has short commutes, lots of parks, friendly neighbors, Summerfest, and the Timpanogos storytelling festival. It is also a big player in the tech industry with many startup companies along with a rich history including Word Perfect and Novell.
- Median family income (per year): $62,236
- Annual cost of living: $69,074
- Job growth (2000-2011) 4.98%
- Median home price: $168,519 (homes currently for sale)
- Median age: 23.9
St. George
Rounding out the cities that made the list is St. George at #62. Located near Zion National Park, the city is called a mecca for action. Things like the St. George Marathon, several premier golf courses, and national parks make tourism a big driver of the economy. The study does indicate few art attractions and limited watering holes as possible drawbacks.
- Median family income: $56,574
- Annual cost of living: $60,898
- Job growth (2000-2011) 46.95%
- Median home price: $163,125 (homes currently for sale)
- Median age: 31.9
Here is the complete list of the top 100:
1. Carmel, IN
2. McKinney, TX
3. Eden Prairie, MN
4. Newton, MA
5. Redmond, WA
6. Irvine, CA
7. Reston, VA
8. Columbia/Ellicott City, MD
9. Overland Park, KS
10. Chapel Hill, NC
11. Woodbury, MN
12. Fishers, IN
13. Allen, TX
14. Eagan, MN
15. Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
16. Castle Rock, CO
17. Centreville, VA
18. South Jordan, UT
19. Lakeville, MN
20. Waldorf, MD
21. Highlands Ranch, CO
22. Maple Grove, MN
23. Gaithersburg, MD
24. Germantown, MD
25. Franklin, NJ
26. Troy, MI
27. Cupertino, CA
28. Mansfield, TX
29. Greenwich, CT
30. Ashburn, VA
31. Brookline, MA
32. Flower MOund, TX
33. Gilbert, AZ
34. Chino Hills, CA
35. Clarkstown, NY
36. Bellevue, NE
37. West Bloomfield, MI
38. Framingham, MA
39. O'Fallon, MO
40. Bellevue, WA
41. Diamond Bar, CA
42. Yorba Linda, CA
43. Pflugerville, TX
44. White Plains, NY
45. Arlington, VA
46. Dale City, VA
47. Abington, PA
48. Amherst, NY
49. Centennial, CO
50. Chandler, AZ
51. Sandy, UT
52. Franklin, TN
53. Naperville, IL
54. Hamden, CT
55. Orem, UT
56. Cary, NC
57. Olathe, KS
58. Rio Rancho, NM
59. Ramapo, NY
60. Boulder, CO
61. Bolingbrooke, IL
62. St. George, UT
63. Weston, FL
64. Fairfield, CT
65. Riverview, FL
66. Henderson, NV
67. Rogers, AR
68. Meridian, ID
69. Broken Arrow, OK
70. Fort Collins, CO
71. St. Charles, MO
72. West Hartford, CT
73. Edmond, OK
74. Bismarck, ND
75. Hamilton, NJ
76. Florissant, MO
77. Moore, OK
78. Shelby, MI
79. Fargo, ND
80. Wheaton, IL
81. West Des Moines, IA
82. Cheyenne, WY
83. Wayne, NJ
84. Macomb, MI
85. Bensalem, PA
86. Hendersonville, TN
87. Weymouth Town, MA
88. Iowa City, IA
89. Auburn, AL
90. Ames, IA
91. Grand Forks, ND
92. Norman, OK
93. Nashua, NH
94. Coral Springs, FL
95. Millcreek, PA
96. Hillsboro, OR
97. West Chester, OH
98. Beaverton, OR
99. Waukesha, WI
100. Ann Arbor, MI
Compare other Utah Cities to Top 10
Utah Dave - Daybreak Neighboorhood Expert and Local Resident