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Hey, Frisco: Money Magazine Says You’re The Best Place To Live In America Right Now

LM Otero
/
AP
In this file photo made Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders pose for photos with fans before a the ground breaking at the sight of the Dallas Cowboys new headquarters in Frisco, Texas.

Year after year, cities in North Texas rank near the top of Money magazine’s annual list of best places to live.

In 2018, Frisco is No. 1.

It’s no secret Frisco is popular as all get out. In the last quarter century it’s transformed from a country town to a booming suburb that’s home to high-end shops, self-driving cars and the Dallas Cowboys.

Money magazine also cites its good public schools. Frisco ISD earned an A in the state’s latest education ratings.

However, for all of its growth, Money says affordability housing has been a tradeoff. Home prices are 2.7 times higher than incomes.

Here’s a snapshot of Frisco, based on Money’s calculations:

  • Population: 179,067
  • Median home price (based on the first quarter of 2018): $349,000
  • Median household income: $129,118
  • Average commute time: 30 minutes
  • Projected job growth (between 2017-2022): 14.91 percent
  • Clear days per year: 232
  • High school graduation rate: 98 percent

The rankings were limited to cities with 50,000 or more people. Money “eliminated any place that had more than double the national crime risk, less than 85 percent of its state’s median household income, or a lack of ethnic diversity,” resulting in 583 places.
The greatest weight was put on economic health, public school performance and local amenities. Housing, cost of living and diversity were also considered. And reporters researched each place.

Money limited the list of 50 best places to live to no more than two places per state and one per county. And in the top 15, you won’t find more than one place per state. Here’s the full methodology.

Flower Mound comes in at No. 16. It's the only other Texas city in the 2018 rankings.

Last year, Allen took second to a town in Indiana. In 2016, the highest-ranking city was Plano at No. 3. In 2015, Coppell was No. 8. And in 2014, McKinney was No. 1. 

Watch Money’s video about Frisco