Boise ranks #2 among U.S. cities

For the 4th straight year, Forbes magazine has ranked Boise as one of the top 5 metro areas in its Best Places for Business and Careers survey. The survey is based on factors such as job and income growth, business and living costs, education of the work force, migration trends, and quality-of-life measures such as crime rates and cultural opportunities.

The report grades 200 metro areas across the United States and this year Boise placed #2 behind Raleigh, North Carolina. Boise ranked #17 in the “Cost of Doing Business” category which is based on the cost of labor, energy, taxes and office space, and #13 in “Job Growth” based on a 5 year annualized figure. However, Boise rated at #169 for leisure and culture. This ranking is based on museums, theaters, golf course, sports teams and other activities.

In 2005, Boise ranked #1 on the Forbes list. Look out Raleigh, we’ve got our eye on that spot for next year!