City Rankings
Cities are recognized as superlative in many ways, often developing reputations based on the financial, educational, business, or quality of life amenities they offer to visitors or new residents. Here is a compilation of several popular city rankings based on children, the environment, health, quality of life, real estate, and other topics. Please note that the National League of Cities does not endorse these rankings nor vouch for the credibility of their methodology.
Children
America's Best Places to Raise a Family
These family friendly places were ranked by Forbes to include great school districts as well as lower cost of living and housing and reasonable commute times.
Playful City USA
Given by the KaBoom organization, this recognition is given to cities who provide "a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America."
Best City to Have a Baby
This study, by Fit Pregnancy magazine, ranked the 50 largest cities based on census population estimates as the top places to have a baby in 2008.
100 Best Communities for Young People
The America's Promise Alliance competition identifies cities and towns nationwide that have made the well-being of children a top priority.
Environment
America's 50 Greenest Cities
Determined by Popular Science, these cities' green achievements set the standards for others.
Health
Best Walking Cities
The criteria for what makes a city "fitness walker friendly" are safe streets, beautiful places to walk, mild weather, and good air quality.
10 Healthiest Cities
Based on criteria like area hospitals, local pediatricians and air quality, Parenting Magazine determines these to be the healthiest cities in which to raise a family.
50 Most Bike-Friendly Cities
Bicycling.com chose the top 50 bike-friendly cities, based on segregated bike lanes, municipal bike racks and bike boulevards.
Top 100 Worst Cities for Asthma Sufferers
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America revealed the nation's top 100 Spring Allergy Capitals.
Quality of Life
America's Most Livable Cities
Forbes chose these cities based on affordability, job availability, low crime rate, and plentiful entertainment options.
10 Best Cities to Find a Job
Job-search site Juju.com ranked the best cities to find a job, comparing the number of job seekers with the number of job openings.
Best Cities for Singles
Based on the percentage of singles, these cities are the best for singles to meet other singles.
America's Most Popular Big Cities
Pew Research Center's report analyzes the geographic, political and demographic factors which impact an area's desirability.
Top 100 Small Cities
CNN chose the best small cities against several quality of life indicators.
Top Cities for Retirement
CBS rates several other ratings organizations to pick the very best cities for retirees.
25 Top Earning Towns
CNN chooses the highest median household incomes in the country.
The Most Educated Cities
The Brookings Institution analyzed 2008 American Community Survey data against 1990 Census data to select the most educated cities in America.
Real Estate
Top 25 Cities Where Homes are Most Affordable
Homeowners in these towns see their incomes go the farthest.
10 Cities for Real Estate Steals
U.S. News relied on Moody's Economy.com to get a better sense where home buyers are most likely to find houses that are undervalued when compared with their longer-term averages.
Best Cities to Rent and Own
A Forbes index determines the best cities in which to rent or own property.
Miscellaneous
Most Misspelled Cities in America
Pittsburgh is the most misspelled city in America.
