Washington, DC (July 25, 2011)—Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has named its top ten cities that provide the best value—with value defined as low living costs, strong economies and great amenities. This year’s picks are profiled in the September issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, and online at www.kiplinger.com/links/bestcities with additional interactive features.
To identify the winners, Kiplinger’s teamed up with Kevin Stolarick, research director at the Martin Prosperity Institute – a think tank that studies economic prosperity. “We searched beyond traditional economic measures and included quality of life and the ability to tap people’s creative potential,” says Stolarick, who this year provided data to evaluate U.S. cities for livability and greatest overall value. “People today are choosing locations based as much on amenities and atmosphere as they are on financial opportunities.” Kiplinger’s staff members visited each of the top ten cities to help determine the final rankings.
These cities have several common themes. Public-private partnerships have been vital not just to creating great public spaces, but also to helping nurture business environments that attract employers and bring high-paying jobs. For example, Omaha’s Midtown Crossing has been one key to that city’s downtown renovation, and the completion of the Clinton Presidential Library in 2004 became the keystone of a renaissance in Little Rock, Ark. . Low living costs, especially when it comes to housing, make these cities ideal for people looking for value, or business owners seeking great places to open new operations. And our top ten also put a premium on livability, including lots of free amenities, music and arts venues, and outdoor activities.
“It’s this trifecta of vitality, livability and low costs that we know our readers are interested in,” says Kiplinger’s senior editor Robert Frick. “And because all these cities have a high percentage of residents in the creative class—basically creative, educated people—which closely mirrors our readership, we think our 2011 Best Value Cities are communities where they’ll feel right at home.”
About Cedar Rapids, Kiplinger wrote, "From grains to planes, a diverse economy attracts a high-tech workforce and cushions the city from downturns. The nearby University of Iowa provides Cedar Rapids residents with access to Big Ten sports, and the city itself is laced with parks, bike trails, and various entertainment options. The city has recovered nicely from the 2008 Cedar River flood, and housing costs and property taxes remain extremely affordable."