The top three slots went to Austin, which bumped Denver into second place; and San Jose, which came in third. Fayetteville, Ark., which is about 30 miles from Bentonville, the home of Walmart, was fifth.

Kim Castro, executive editor at U.S. News, said in a statement that among the top things people consider when moving are the following: finding a job in their field, getting involved in their community, good schools for their kids and making enough money to buy a home (in no particular order).

Castro said the ranking of the best places to live “takes all of that into account — the metro areas that do well are the ones with strong job markets and high quality of life.”

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For the D.C. area, the report says the experience as a resident varies depending on their neighborhood.

The report said “each neighborhood in the District and its surrounding towns has its own atmosphere.

“Residents gather for block parties, mingle at dog parks and converse at coffee shops, creating an ambiance similar to that of a much smaller community.”

The study gave the D.C. region a score of 7.3 out of 10. And it said the average monthly rent is $1,498 and the average annual salary is $65,910.

The report also highlights the D.C. area’s transit system for being extensive and its supply of restaurants and entertainment and cultural spots. A few other upsides to the D.C. region, the report said, include that the region’s “surrounding communities are clean, and there are plenty of public parks.”

Some of the data and factors for the ranking come from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The top 10 list also included:

6. Seattle

7. Raleigh/Durham, N.C.

8. Boston

9. Des Moines

10. Salt Lake City