Best Cities To Live In America: Where Boulder Ranks

BOULDER, CO — Boulder is among the top 20 cities to live in the country in 2021, according to a new Niche ranking.

Boulder was ranked No. 18 on the list, and the city is the best place to live in Colorado, the ranking shows.

Boulder received an overall grade from Niche of A+, however the city lost points in some categories:

• Public Schools: A
• Housing: C+
• Good for Families: A
• Jobs: B
• Cost of Living: C-
• Outdoor Activities: A
• Crime & Safety: C+
• Nightlife: A+
• Diversity: B+
• Weather: B
• Health & Fitness: A+
• Commute: A+

"Living in Boulder offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes," Boulder's Niche profile read. "In Boulder there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks."

The runners-up on the U.S. list were Fort Collins and Denver — No. 48 and No. 75, respectively.

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Niche also compiled other rankings — here are the top three Colorado cities in each of the following categories:

Best for Families

• No. 18: Boulder
• No. 38: Fort Collins
• No. 78: Colorado Springs

Best for Young Professionals

• No. 12: Denver
• No. 49: Boulder
• No. 75: Fort Collins

Best for Retirees

• No. 92: Denver
• No. 120: Lakewood
• No. 122: Boulder

The rankings were determined by using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, CDC and other agencies, combined with reviews from people that live in the area.

Best Cities to Live in America:

1. The Woodlands, Texas
2. Arlington, Virginia
3. Naperville, Illinois
4. Overland Park, Kansas
5. Cambridge, Massachusetts

>> Read the full Niche report here.