6 Cities That Boast the ‘Best Value’

Daily Real Estate News | Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Which cities offer the best value? Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine recently ranked metro areas by best “value,” factoring in low cost of living, strong economies, and personal amenities.

The following are the six metro areas that topped its list, including each city’s unemployment rate, median household income, and cost-of-living index (the index is based on the national average of 100; cities with a score below 100 have a lower cost-of-living). To see the other factors that weighed Kiplinger’s decisions for the top 6 and to view the full list, visit the Kiplinger Web site.

1. Omaha, Neb.
Unemployment rate: 4.6%
Cost-of-living index: 90.3
Median household income: $53,457

2. Charlotte, N.C.
Unemployment rate: 10.4%
Cost of living index: 93
Median household income: $53,168

3. Nashville, Tenn.
Unemployment rate: 8.5%
Cost of living index: 90.7
Median household income: $51,352

4. Colorado Springs, Colo.
Unemployment rate: 9.3%
Cost-of-living index: 92.0
Median household income: $56,576

5. Knoxville, Tenn.
Unemployment rate: 7.7%
Cost-of-living index: 89.7
Median household income: $45,727

6. Lexington, Ky.
Unemployment rate: 7.8%
Cost-of-living index: 89.1
Median household income: $48,158

View Kiplinger’s complete top 10 list.

Source: “10 Best Value Cities for 2011,” Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (July 2011)