Space Coast town named one of the "Best Places to Live" in America

Photo byEddie KopponUnsplash

The US News & World Report publishes a biannual study of 150 cities around the United States to determine the Best Places to Live in America. The judges consider many factors that impact livability, such as safety, affordability, access to nature, local activities, quality of education, and the local job market.

Rounding out the top 20, the list of most coveted destinations, was a town of under 100,000 people on Florida's Space Coast. It's not one of Florida's top tourist destinations, however, locals and tourists alike enjoy its tranquility and beautiful beaches.

Ranked at number 20 is Melbourne, Florida.

What gave this town such a high ranking?

To put that ranking into perspective, Melbourne ranked higher than Jacksonville, Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, and Miami in terms of livability.

The judges praised Melbourne for having a small-town feel but still offering many big-city amenities.

It's not all about outer space; the region has down-to-earth attractions too. Melbourne's Eau Gallie Arts District features a blend of museums and galleries, while the historic downtown area features a mixture of restaurants, bars, and shops. Meanwhile, the population has access to water-centric activities on the 155-mile-long estuary, Indian River Lagoon, which separates the Space Coast from the Atlantic Ocean. Surfing, kayaking, boating, fishing, and watching manatees are all regular pastimes.

Melbourne was also cited as a relatively affordable city, with a median home sale price of $399K, lower than the national average.

In addition to this, judges noted that Melbourne's job market provides more opportunities than most cities of this size, particularly in the healthcare, technology, and defense sectors.

Melbourne also offers a higher quality of education than many smaller cities, with a relatively high teacher-to-student ratio.

Finally, Melbourne was given a high ranking for safety, as both violent crime and property crime rates are lower than the national average.

With stats like this, it's no wonder Melbourne ranked as highly as it did. The judges' final words: "The Space Coast is committed to blending the arts, science, and economic development into its energetic community. Most people are generally warm and welcoming, and given that Melbourne attracts new residents from all over the country, you are sure to meet interesting folks from all different walks of life."