The best American cities to move to

What people are looking for when they relocate changes from time to time. In the 90s, it was a city with low crime. Then, it was places with good schools.

"These days, you want a job and to make sure you can get a house there," said Bert Sperling of BestPlaces.net, which helps people find the best places to live, work or retire.

Sperling crunched the numbers to find the 10 best cities to relocate to today. The list takes into consideration all kinds of data points from cost of living to crime rates, the number of colleges and how healthy the population is, as well as access to museums, shows, sporting and other events. Plus, one you might not think of - stability.

"We're a big believer in the concept of stability, where there is modest, controllable growth," Sperling explained. "Big booms lead to disruption, and ultimately big busts. Neither is good for livability."

Here are Sperling's Best Cities to Relocate to in America - Why they're the best and who's hiring there.

1. Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, like Buffalo, has also made a major transformation from an industrial town - in Pittsburgh's case, steel -- into the 21st Century as a hub for education, health care and the arts.

Yet, it's still surprisingly affordable: The cost of living is 12.2 percent below the national average and the average home price is $116,400, well below the national average of $171,700.

It's repeatedly ranked as one of the most livable cities: The crime rate is low, it ranks high on both arts and colleges, and it's at low risk for a natural disaster such as an earthquake, hurricane or tornado.

It's also repeatedly ranked as one of the best sports cities, with the six-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team and the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team. You would be hard-pressed to find a city with more loyal sports fans - a fact that should not be underestimated when it comes to quality of life.

The unemployment rate is 7.8 percent, well below the national average of 10.2 percent. Indeed.com has named it the No. 18 job market, with two applicants for every job available.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: HCR ManorCare, BNY Mellon, PNC Bank, Ernst & Young and Westinghouse Electric Company, according to Indeed.com.

2. Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY

Buffalo is an older, industrial city that has "gone through a sort of gut-wrenching transition into the 21st Century," Sperling says. And now that it's gotten over the bumps, it's a great place to live.

The Buffalo-Niagara Falls area has a growing arts scene and it's affordable: The cost of living is 14.4 percent below the national average, and the average home price is $119,700, well below the national average of $171,700.

There are more than 20 parks in Buffalo, earning it the nickname, "City of Trees," and for all you sports fans, it's home of the Buffalo Bills football team and Buffalo Sabres hockey team. As for Niagara Falls, the city has moved from an industrial center to a more sustainable tourism-based economy, and with the opening of the Conference Center Niagara Falls a few years ago, it now attracts more business travelers.

The unemployment rate in the region is 8.3 percent, below the national average. Health care and education are the fastest growing industries here.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: Synacor, M&T Bank, Kaleida Health and HSBC Bank, according to Indeed.com.

3. Omaha, NE/Council Bluffs, IA

Omaha is a great example of a city that's avoided the booms and busts, ranking high on stability.

Could its slow but steady growth be the influence of one of its most famous residents, the richest man in the world, Warren Buffett? The Oracle of Omaha, as he's known, made his money based on the motto "invest in what you know" - not getting sucked into the next big boom.

Quite possibly, Sperling said. Perhaps the bigger impact, though, is that Buffett keeps Omaha in the news, which makes it easier to attract big companies there. Today, there are five Fortune 500 companies headquartered there, including ConAgra Foods, Union Pacific Corporation, Mutual of Omaha, Peter Kiewit and Sons, and Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.

Plus, it's affordable: the area's cost of living is 12.4 percent below the national average.

The average price of a home is $137,600, well below the national average of $171,700.

The unemployment rate is 4.7 percent, less than half the national average of 10.2 percent.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: ConAgra Foods, Creighton University Medical Center, TD Ameritrade and Soliant Health, according to Indeed.com.

4. Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas

"Fort Worth is like the Rodney Dangerfield of the Dallas-Fort Worth area - It gets no respect!" Sperling quipped.

But those who live in Fort Worth know the secret: It's close enough to Dallas that you get all of the amenities of a world-class city, from shopping to cultural events, but it's cheaper. The average home price is about $119,300, well below the national average of $171,700. Plus, the cost of living is nearly 14 percent cheaper than the national average.

It has a growing arts & culture scene, including an orchestra, ballet, opera, botanical garden and one of the best zoos in the country. In fact, the city has started billing itself as the "City of Cowboys and Culture."

Arlington is home to the Dallas Cowboys football team, the Texas Rangers baseball team, as well as American Mensa, the U.S. chapter of the high-IQ society, and the International Bowling Museum.

The unemployment rate in the area is 8.3 percent, below the national average of 10.2 percent.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: Texas Health Resources, JPS Health Network and Bank of America, according to Indeed.com.

5. Austin-Round Rock, TX

Austin-Round Rock ranks high on quality of life and affordability: It has at least a dozen colleges and was voted the No. 1 college town by the Travel Channel. The cost of living is 2.4 percent below the national average.

But what sets it apart is its quirk. The city has been described as a "crazy quilt," stitching together everything from art, improv and country music to environmentalism and high tech. It's home to the South by Southwest festival, featuring independent musicians and filmmakers and emerging technologies. Though, its quirky rep has been around awhile, spawning a new slogan, "Keep Austin Weird."

Round Rock is its conservative counterpart, known for its outstanding education system and as the headquarters of Dell Computers.

The unemployment rate in the area is 6.5 percent, well below the U.S. average of 10.2 percent. It's the No. 10 job market, according to Indeed.com, with two applicants for every job opening.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: Dell, Seton Family of Hospitals, Soliant Health and AT&T, according to Indeed.com.

6. Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Des Moines just got an overhaul in the past few years, including a new science center, Imax theater and an events center.

The city is very livable and has a nice culture, Sperling said. The cost of living is more than 12 percent below the national average, and the median home cost is $150,600, well below the national average of $171,700. West De Moines is a wealthy suburb - you guessed it - west of Des Moines.

Your vote really counts here: The Iowa caucuses have been the first major electoral event since 1972. The New York Times once observed that "if you have any desire to witness presidential candidates in the most close-up and intimate of settings, there is arguably "no place better to go than Des Moines."

The unemployment rate is 7.1 percent, below the national average of 10.2 percent. It has a lot to offer job-wise besides farming: There are over 400 factories there (to process those farmed goods), plus it's a hub for the insurance industry with nearly 60 companies claiming their headquarters here.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: Catholic Health Initiatives, Wells Fargo and Iowa Health System, according to Indeed.com.

7. Madison, WI

Madison winters can be tough but those who love it say all the winter activities available, plus all the city has to offer, offset the cold.

The crime rate is one of the lowest on the list and it's been rated one of the top cities for education, with an estimated 14 students per teacher. Plus, there are at least nine university campuses there.

It has a ton of restaurants, museums, performing arts centers, sports complexes - and a free zoo! Plus, free concerts by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra on the Capitol lawn in the summer.

Among its quirkier distinctions are that it's home to the Onion humor newspaper and website and the Great Taste of the Midwest craft beer festival.

The unemployment rate in Madison is 5.2 percent, nearly half of the national average.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Covance, Promega Corporation and Dean Health, according to Indeed.com.

8. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN

"Minneapolis is probably one of the most progressive, greenest cities and the folks are really polite in that Midwestern way," Sperling said.

Minneapolis-St. Paul, also known as the "Twin Cities," and the southern suburb of Bloomington, have a very low crime rate, a lot of colleges and arts and cultural institutions, all of which add to a great quality of life.

Minneapolis is the third largest theater market in the U.S., behind New York and Chicago, Bloomington is home to the famous Mall of America, the largest mall in the U.S. It's home to the Minnesota Vikings football team and Minnesota Twins baseball team, and, it's one of the most literate metropolitan areas in America.

Housing prices and the cost of living are slightly higher than the national average but the unemployment rate is 7 percent, well below the national average of 10.2 percent.

Indeed ranks it as the No. 12 job market, with two applicants for every job available.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: UnitedHealth Group, Medtronic, 3M, Target (office jobs) and Thomson Reuters, according to Indeed.com.

9. Denver-Aurora, CO

Denver-Aurora also scored points for stability and affordability - and because it has a very attractive downtown.

The city has a lot to offer in the way of arts - not just museums but also a lot of public art. Plus, it's one of the few cities that has teams from four major sports - the Denver Broncos football team, Colorado Rockies baseball team, Colorado Avalanche hockey team and Denver Nuggets basketball team.

Plus, the city is surrounded by some of the highest mountain peaks in the nation, making for sweeping vistas and an outstanding array of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking and skiing. Aurora is an eastern suburb of the city, with a lot of shopping and cultural events, plus it has more than 1,800 acres of park land, at least a dozen golf courses and a 200-acre nature center.

The unemployment rate is 7.4 percent, below the national average of 10.2 percent. Indeed ranks it as the No. 11 job market, with two job seekers for every job available.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: Raytheon, Kaiser Permanente, HCA, HealthONE and Deloitte, according to Indeed.com.

10. Indianapolis-Carmel, IN

The Midwest gets a bad rap as a boring place but after the excitement of the past few years with the financial crisis, I think we can all agree - boring isn't a bad thing.

"During these tough times, we're sort of celebrating these areas that kept their head down and were sort of steady," Sperling explained.

Indianapolis-Carmel ranked high on both stability and affordability. The average home price in Indianapolis-Carmel is $120,200, well below the national median of $171,700 and the cost of living is 17.8 percent below the national average.

The downtown area was recently revitalized and Indianapolis is home to 10 sports teams, including the Indianapolis Colts football team and the Indiana Pacers basketball team. Carmel is one of the affluent cities just north of Indianapolis. Its crown jewel is the 161-acre Central Park, which features a big water park, a boardwalk, four miles of trails and 146,000 square foot fitness center.

Report ranks America's safest cities

From toxic red sludge swelling the Danube River to freak tornadoes hitting typically twister-free Brooklyn N.Y., weird new threats are cropping up everywhere. It's enough to make you want to hide indoors with a Snuggie and a survival kit.

But risk-dodgers, take notice: There are still plenty of U.S. cities where the living is easy. Take Plano, Texas--residents of this wealthy Dallas suburb enjoy the lowest violent crime rate of all big American cities, and have a much lower rate of fatal car crashes. In fact, this "All-American City" tops our list of America's Safest Cities.

It's not hard to understand why it's so safe in a place like Plano: The city's median household income is 54% above the national average, at $77,140. Other wealthy cities also stand out as safe: Honolulu (No. 3), San Jose, Calif., (No. 4) and San Diego (No. 9) all have median incomes above the national average, and correspondingly low rates of fatal traffic accidents and violent crime.

America's Safest Cities

But money alone isn't the key to safety. The size of the wealth gap matters more. "If you have low incomes in an environment with high incomes, it creates a crime vector between the 'haves' and 'have-nots,'" says Bruce McIndoe, president of iJet Intelligent Risk Systems, a Maryland-based risk-assessment firm. "Places like Plano and Honolulu are more homogeneous."

Behind The Numbers

To find out which cities are the safest, we started by making a list of all American cities with a population above 250,000. Then we ranked each city on the number of violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2009, as reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Since the FBI only has data for cities that submit complete crime data, we were limited to looking at 71 places--two big cities, Chicago, Ill. and Virginia Beach, Va, had to be dropped from our list.

Next, we ranked each city on the number of traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents, using 2008 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the most recent available. We averaged the rankings for violent crime and fatal crashes in each city, to arrive at a final score. When cities tied with the same score, we used the crime rate as tiebreaker.

Jobs Matter

Not every city on our list is a moneyed enclave. Omaha, Neb., which came in fifth, has a median household income below the national median, and the median home value of $134,600 is 27% below the national median, according to the United States Census Bureau. Omaha isn't poor, but its strong safety record also can't be explained by pointing to the fat wallets of its citizens. Rather, the high percentage of Omahans with jobs contributes to its safety: The Omaha metropolitan area's unemployment rate is the seventh-lowest in the country, at 4.9%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"High-growth cities with low unemployment are safer," says McIndoe. "When people are gainfully employed, they are more invested in their city."

Big City Surprises

Fans of small-town living might be shocked to find that the biggest city on our list is also one of the least dangerous: New York, with 8.4 million residents, is the sixth-safest city on our list.

Sure, the Big Apple ranks high in part because it's so pedestrian-friendly, and fewer drivers on the road reduce the risk of traffic fatalities: In 2008 NYC had only 3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents. But New York also boasts a violent crime rate well below what you'd expect for a big city: Only 552 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents, better than two-thirds of the 71 cities on the list.

All considered, the country's safest cities are ones where residents are reasonably well-off, homeownership is high, infrastructure and employment are strong, and rates of drunk drivers are low, says McIndoe.

Don't Panic

While the world may seem scarier every day, the United States is actually becoming safer. According to the FBI, the violent crime rate in the U.S. fell 5.3% from 2008 to 2009, down for a third straight year.

American roads are getting less risky too, as more laws go on the books to combat distracted driving. This year 12 states joined the 18 that already have legislation to ban texting while driving. And eight states prohibit all handheld cellphone use in the car.

Still, an overriding sense of fear can cause people to overlook the statistics. "If you talk to the average citizen, they're very concerned about terrorism, but in reality the probability of the threat is so minuscule it shouldn't be on the radar," says McIndoe. "When it comes to risks, there are huge gaps between perception and reality."

Top 5 Safest Cities in America

1. Plano, Texas
Traffic Fatality Rank: 4
Violent Crime Rank: 1

2. Portland, Ore.
Traffic Fatality Rank: 5
Violent Crime Rank: 6

3. Honolulu, Hawaii
Traffic Fatality Rank: 14
Violent Crime Rank: 2

4. San Jose, Calif.
Traffic Fatality Rank: 13
Violent Crime Rank: 5

5. Omaha, Neb.
Traffic Fatality Rank: 3
Violent Crime Rank: 17