#1 Coolest city in America in 2003 and 2004. Cities rank based on their nightlife, culture, job growth, number of singles, cost of living alone, coolness and public opinion. (Forbes, June 2004)

#3 Among the best places for business and careers. Economy.com considered "expenses related to labor, energy, taxes and office space" as well as the workforce, job and income growth, migration patterns, crime rates, and culture and leisure. (Forbes, May 2004)

#2 "America’s Favorite Cities" poll. The Travel and Leisure poll considered city dwellers who are "good looking", "friendly", and "proud of their city". (Travel and Leisure, March 2004)

#1 Top 10 Hottest Wireless Cities. Austin boasts more free wireless hotspots per capita than anywhere else in the country. (Newsweek, June 2004)

#1 Smallest U.S. gain in 2003 housing prices. Housing prices rose nearly 80% in 2003 but in Austin, prices increased by only 1.23%. (Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, March 2004)

#1 U.S. for relocating families. Austin won because commute times are lower than the national average, there is no state income tax, housing prices have leveled off, average income is high relative to cost of living and the city has the third highest expected job-growth rate in the country. (Worldwide Employee Relocation Council. Sperling’s Best Places, May 2004)

#1 Creativity for U.S. regions. Austin beat San Francisco and Seattle in a survey ranking creativity based on technology, talent and tolerance. (Harvard Business Journal, Feb. 2004)

#2 Retail market in the nation. Considered were increased consumer spending, a housing market with low interest rates and rapid population growth. (Austin Business Journal, Jan. 2004)

#1 "Top 10 cities for moviemakers." (MovieMaker magazine, winter 2004)

 
 

#1 Airport for all airports its size-Austin Bergstrom International Airport. (J.D. Power and Associates 2003) ABIA also ranked among the top airports of any size worldwide for overall satisfaction.
(J.D. Power and AssociatesWinter 2004)

#1 "Top 10 Cities for Hispanics to Live In" in (Hispanic Magazine, July/Aug 2004)

#4 Safest big city in the nation according to a study in the Austin Business Journal (Austin Business Journal, Dec. 2002)

#3 Top large cities in Southwest— Austin/San Marcos, TX—Best cities for entrepreneurs. (Entrepreneur.com 2003)

#3 Best Cities for Singles survey (forbes.com 2004 (Forbes, Jul. 2003)

#3 Best Metros 2004 forbes.com (#1 in 2003)

#4 American cities (Austin 2004 Newcomer Guide)

#1 Best Place for Business and Career(Forbes 2003)

#1 Best Big City to Live in the U.S. ( msn.com 2002)

#1 Best City to Do Business and Advance One’s Career in the U.S. (Forbes, Jul. 2003)

#13 Fittest city in the country & 16th most populous city in the U.S. (Men’s Fitness magazine 2003)