A strong job market livable wages and and great outdoor activities has placed Phoenix on the top places to live list for US News.

According to a recent report by U.S. News, the city of Phoenix  is the 26th best place to live in the nation.

Every year U.S. News ranks the top places to live throughout the United States and this year Phoenix edged out many other cities in the running making it into the top twenty in the nation.

To determine the best places to live the report compiles data from the 125 largest metro areas around the country including the cost of living job market crime rates and quality of education.

The Phoenix metro already boasts about 4.49 million residents and the city continues to attract new residents with median home prices of $235333 and annual salaries of about $47540 according to the report.

A strong job market and healthcare industry continue to attract residents to the Phoenix area. Additionally Phoenix is a growing technology hub with many companies making their home in the Valley of the Sun.

In addition to the growing job markets and opportunities available new residents are attracted to the diverse dining scene shopping options and great entertainment according to the U.S. News.

Rounding out the top 25 are:

  1.  Austin, TX
  2. Denver, CO
  3. Colorado Springs, CO
  4. Fayetteville, AR
  5. Des Moines, IA
  6. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
  7. San Francisco, CA
  8. Portland, OR
  9. Seattle, WA
  10. Raleigh & Durham, NC
  11. Huntsville, AL
  12. Madison, WI
  13. Grand Rapids, MI
  14. San Jose, CA
  15. Nashville, TN
  16. Asheville, NC
  17. Boise, ID
  18. Sarasota, FL
  19. Washington, DC
  20. Charlotte, NC
  21. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
  22. Greenville, SC
  23. Portland, ME
  24. Salt Lake City, UT
  25. Melbourne, FL