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WHERE BOSTON RANKS NATIONWIDE

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Graduating students arrive for Commencement Exercises at Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts May 20, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: EDUCATION) BRIAN SNYDER/Reuters

    Happiest cities for job-seeking college graduates: 10th

    Who says: CareerBliss

    Boston and Pittsburgh are the only Northeast cities on this ranking, which is determined by employee happiness surveys and cost of living adjusted average salaries.

    Where Boston ranks nationwide

    Ever wonder how Boston compares to other cities when it comes to subjects like being rude, drinking alcohol, staying fit, being flirty, or staying wired? Read on to see where our city ranks on some recent lists.

    AAA

    Top LGBT sports cities: 6th

    Who says: Target-10

    Boston totalled 13 points in this ranking for its LGBT population, number of gay sports leagues, and number of gay sports bars. Chicago and New York tied for first.

    www.target-10.com
    AAA
    Boston, MA - 9/13/2012 - Ollie Haas, right, and Jake Felser, left, cq, both of Somerville, are the minds behind LittleBonsai, a small startup developing ReBrush, an innovative toothbrush with replaecable heads. Topic: 14toothbrush. Story by Laura Finaldi/Globe Staff. Dina Rudick/Globe Staff.

    Best cities for small business employees: 2nd

    Who says: CardHub

    Boston ranks second only to Denver in friendliness for small-business employees, based on CardHub’s factors including job growth, industry variety, hours worked, and average wages for new hires.

    Dina Rudick/Globe Staff
    AAA
    Graduating students arrive for Commencement Exercises at Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts May 20, 2013. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: EDUCATION)

    Happiest cities for job-seeking college graduates: 10th

    Who says: CareerBliss

    Boston and Pittsburgh are the only Northeast cities on this ranking, which is determined by employee happiness surveys and cost of living adjusted average salaries.

    BRIAN SNYDER/Reuters
    AAA
    Cambridge, MA 112412 Warm temperatures invited runners and joggers to exercise along the Charles River on November 24, 2012 as seen from the Cambridge side of the Charles River just east of the Boston University Bridge. (Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff)/ MET

    The most physically fit cities in America: 6th

    Who says: American College of Sports Medicine

    Boston makes the top 10 of this list for a lower death rate from heart disease and diabetes, a higher percentage of insured residents, and a higher state requirement for gym classes in public schools.

    Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff/File 2012
    AAA
    Boston, MA 051513 Sarah Kimball (cq) of Cambridge was interviewed for a man on the street interview about a report on bike safety in the City of Boston. We photographed bicyclist at the intersection of Mass Ave and Commonweatlh Ave on May 15, 2013. (Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff)/MET

    The best biking cities in America: 5th

    Who says: BikeScore

    Biking map site BikeScore released its ranking of the best cities in the United States for biking. The factors include route options, bike lanes, number of commuters.

    Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Best major US city for college students.

    Who says: US News & World Report

    Boston stands out for many reasons, according to current and former Boston-area college students. Included in the selling points: a large student population (exceeding 150,000), many employment opportunities, lots of shopping, good restaurants, and a strong sports heritage.

    David L. Ryan/Globe Staff/File 2008
    AAA

    Worst city for driving: 5th

    Who says: Nerdwallet.com

    This list isn't based on driving abilities. The three questions it asked were: Will you be stuck in traffic? Is gas expensive? Is the city overcrowded? Only New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles ranked worse in the study.

    David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
    AAA
    Lexington, MA - 2-10-12 - The "Friday Morning Group", the Massachusetts version of Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform meetings, meet at 1 Cranberry Hill in Lexington. Len Mead (cq) (with hat) and Ted Tripp (cq) (at right) chat before the meeting. (Globe staff photo / Bill Greene) section:mag, reporter: sweidy, topic: 0318norquist

    Most taxed cities: 10th
    Who says:
    H&R Block

    According to H&R Block’s infographic, based on the D.C. study, that took a hypothetical annual household income of $50,000 and calculated how much the household would pay in income, property, sales, and auto taxes. The study showed a family of three would pay 12.2 percent of that income in taxes. Bridgeport, Conn., came in first with 24.5 percent of the same income going to taxes.

    Bill Greene/Globe Staff/File 2012
    AAA

    Best cities for single men: 1st
    Who says:
    nerd wallet

    According to the financial information website, Boston tops the list of places for single men, ahead of Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Denver. “Unmarried women outnumber unmarried men in Boston, and the walkable layout and variety of bars and gyms are conducive to dating as well. Dates are a little pricier here, but the low unemployment rate makes it likely you’ll both be able to afford it.”

    Yoon Byun/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Traffic congestion: 5th
    Who says:
    Texas A&M Transportation Institute

    According to an annual study of national driving patterns, Washington, D.C., residents have the worst commute in the country, followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco-Oakland, New York-Newark, and Boston. See data for Boston here, including how much excess fuel is consumed as a result of the delays, the number of hours we spend in traffi, and how the figures have changed since 2006.

    Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Most LEED certifications
    Who says: BostInno

    The US Green Building Council that developed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, announced its list of top states for LEED certifications in 2012. Ranked No. 4, Massachusetts had more than 13 million square feet of LEED certified space in 2012, or 2.05 feet per capita. Atlantic Wharf, the new center of Boston’s waterfront, received the highest Platinum level. This makes Atlantic Wharf Boston’s first LEED skyscraper.

    CBT Architects/Neoscape Inc.
    AAA
    Jill Sciuto of NYC, center, helps, Jennifer William of Boston, right, drink wine from a traditonal Spanish Porron. Laura Boyd of Annapolis, left, enjoys the show. Thursday, December 14, 2012 at Toro's 7th Anniversary Party in Boston. Photo by Laurie Swope

    Drunkest city of 2012
    Who says: The Daily Beast

    In Boston, 20 percent of our population is classified as binge drinkers. Adults drink an average of 15.6 alcoholic drinks a month.

    Laurie Swope/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Tops on gay friendly municipality index
    Who says: The Human Rights Campaign

    The Human Rights Campaign has released its first ever Municipality Equality Index, which rates cities based on 47 criteria falling under six broad categories: non-discrimination laws; relationship recognition; the municipality’s employment practices; inclusiveness of city services; law enforcement; and municipal leadership. Boston and Cambridge scored a perfect 100 percent.

    www.hrc.org
    AAA
    In its annual “America’s Best 50 Cities” roundup, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Boston the No. 4 city in the country, bested only by Washington, D.C., Seattle, and No. 1 San Francisco.

    America’s Best 50 Cities
    Who says:

    Bloomberg Businessweek

    In its annual “America’s Best 50 Cities” roundup, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Boston the No. 4 city in the country, bested only by Washington, D.C., Seattle, and No. 1 San Francisco.

    The Boston Globe
    AAA

    Most favorable tax structures for businesses.
    Who says: KPMG International

    Boston placed 10th among US urban areas in an international survey of cities that offer the most favorable tax structures for businesses.

    iStock
    AAA

    Most expensive city to travel: 2d
    Who says: TripAdvisor

    TripAdvisor released its second annual TripIndex list of the most expensive cities for travelers, both abroad and at home, and for US travelers, New York and Boston topped the list. The index is a cost comparison of one-night accommodations in a four-star hotel and an evening out on the town, including dinner with wine, and round-trip taxi fare for two people. Boston’s index came in at $450, right behind New York, at $457.

    AAA

    Swearing at work: 5th
    Who says: Careerbuilder.com

    In the nationwide survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive, 56 percent of Bostonians say they swear at work.

    iStock
    AAA

    Most economically integrated: 1st
    Who says:
    Pew Research Center

    The Boston metro area is becoming more segregated by income, but ranks as the most integrated of the nation’s 10 largest metro areas along class lines, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center. Just 8 percent of upper-income households in the Boston metro area live in census tracts where a majority of households are upper-income as well, showing that most wealthy residents live in areas with a range of income levels.

    David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Good place to grow old: 4th
    Who says:
    Milken Institute

    Boston ranks fourth nationally as a desirable place to live as you age, according to a study from from the Milken Institute that finds that the region has a wealth of physical therapists, nurses, orthopedic surgeons, and fitness centers, along with convenient public transportation and employment opportunities for people over age 65.

    iStock
    AAA

    Well-being of children: 2d
    Who says:
    Annie E. Casey Foundation

    Massachusetts is the second-best state for child well-being, according to a national study looking at health, education, community and economic factors. The annual study gave its highest overall marks to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont, while Nevada, New Mexico, and Mississippi received the lowest overall scores.

    Globe Photo
    AAA

    Best beer city: 9th
    Who says:
    Zane Lamprey

    Zane Lamprey host of television shows “Three Sheets,” “Drinking Made Easy,” and “Have Fork, Will Travel” has made a career out of traveling and drinking. Lamprey counted down the 25 best beer cities in the world, and Boston finished 9th, one spot ahead of London and one spot behind Denver.

    AAA

    Best for families: 1st
    Who says:
    Parenting Magazine

    The Parenting magazine made a list of the country’s top locations for raising kids based on categories such as education, health, community, charm, and culture using nearly 4,000 pieces of data. Boston was chosen for its great opportunities, offering families urban life with a focus on education.

    iStock
    AAA

    Most tolerant: 20th
    Who says:
    The Atlantic Cities

    The Atlantic Cities ranked US metro areas for tolerance according to three key variables — the share of immigrants or foreign-born residents, the Gay Index (the concentration of gays and lesbians), and the Integration Index, which tracks the level of segregation between ethnic and racial groups. San Diego is the top-ranked metro area, Boston is the 20th most tolerant city.

    Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Neighborhoods with most same-sex couples: 1st
    Who says:
    Trulia

    Trulia used census figures to track what neighborhoods across the country have the highest percentage of same-sex couples. Massachusetts comes out with top honors. Four neighborhoods, including Jamaica Plain, landed on the list of communities with the highest percentage of same-sex female couples.

    Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Costliest for tourists: 2d
    Who says:
    TripAdvisor Inc.

    The Newton-based firm, which offers online travel-recommendation services, has just drawn up lists of the most expensive cities for tourists in both the United States and the world. According to those metrics, Boston is the second most expensive US city.

    David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Best for parks: 3d
    Who says:
    The Trust for Public Land

    Boston has one of the best city park system in the United States. The new report from Trust for Public Land ranked Boston third. Sacramento ranked second behind San Francisco, while Boston and New York tied for third, followed by Washington, D.C.

    Aram Boghosian/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Worst Commute: 9th
    Who says:
    The 5th Annual INRIX National Traffic Scorecard

    If you find your daily trip on Interstate 93, 95, or the Mass. Pike painful, you won’t be surprised to learn Boston has the ninth-worst commute in the nation.

    Jim Davis/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Best for recent college graduates: 10th
    Who says:
    The Atlantic Cities

    The Greater Boston area, including Cambridge and Quincy, ranked 10th in a recent assessment of the best cities for new college graduates. Urban theorist Richard Florida, writing for the Atlantic Cities website, said he and a colleague used eight criteria to rank the cities, including unemployment rate, salary levels, housing costs, commuting and share of adults who have never been married.

    David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Best for hipsters: 17th
    Who says:
    Travel+Leisure

    When voting on the metropolitan areas for the best hipsters, the magazine’s readers considered the best microbrews and most offbeat and tech-savvy locals. Seattle ranked No. 1 for the city’s funky individuals who frequent cool, often idiosyncratic restaurants, shops, and bars. The “techie crowd” in Cambridge boosted Boston’s hip quotient in a city steeped high in history and classical music.

    John Reynolds/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Expecting first date sex: 1st
    Who says:
    Glamour magazine

    Glamour conducted a nationwide survey of 8,000 singles in conjunction with Match.com, where Boston received the notorious distinction of ranking number one for men who expect to have sex on the first date. One out of eight men surveyed in Boston expected his date to hop into bed after a single dinner and a movie—the highest ratio of any city.

    iStock
    AAA

    Safest place to drive: 3d
    Who says:
    Men’s Health, April 2012

    Men’s Health ranked cities after looking at stats from the number fatal crashes, percentage of fatalities involving alcohol, speeding or hit and run, and the rate of seat belt use. Boston received an A- rating, good for third. The full results will be published in the April issue.

    John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Most innovative city: 3d
    Who says:
    Zipcar Inc.

    A new survey from Zipcar Inc. concludes that Boston is the country’s third most innovative city, behind Atlanta and Pittsburgh. Zipcar studied the 36 largest cities in the United States and ranked them according to five different categories.
    “Future Metropolis Index”

    iStock
    AAA

    Best city for students: 3d
    Who says:
    The BBC

    BBC reported that a new city rankings list by QS Top Universities placed Boston in third for students’ city of choice behind Paris (1) and London (2). Researchers looked at cities of 250,000+ populations and at least two top universities before considering affordability, quality of life, and university reputations.
    See the complete list.

    iStock
    AAA

    Most Literate: 5th
    Who says:
    Central Connecticut State University

    In attempts to measure the nation’s social health, Central Connecticut State University compared newspaper circulation, number of bookstores, library resources, and other “indicators of literacy” to gauge how well the country reads.
    Boston jumped seven spots to fifth from last year’s 12th, ousting Pittsburgh (2011: 6th). The top four spots—Washington, D.C., Seattle, Minneapolis, and Atlanta—remained unchanged.

    Dina Rudick/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Rudest: 5th
    Who says:
    Travel and Leisure

    We may be smart, but that’s not endearing us to visitors, according to a survey by Travel and Leisure. The publication had the audacity to suggest we’re rude because we’re “guilty of gloating” about our championship sports teams. Jealous much?
    Globe-trotting: Boston named America’s fifth-rudest city

    The Boston Globe
    AAA

    Drunkest: 1st
    Who says:
    The Daily Beast

    Redefining the term “competitive spirit,” Boston placed on top of the second annual list of cities that don’t know when to say when. In polling 25 cities nationwide, individual Boston drinkers were found to consume on average 15.5 alcoholic beverages per month. Houston came in last on the list with an average of 14.3 drinks consumed monthly.

    AAA

    Mobile shopping: 12th
    Who says:
    Interactive Advertising Bureau

    In a “Mobile Shoppers” study, Boston ranked low on the list, not far from the lowest ranking city, Phoenix in 15th place. According to the study, the top mobile shopping cities in the United States are Houston, New York, and Atlanta.

    Brian Snyder/Reuters
    AAA

    Happiest: 5th
    Who says:
    Men’s Health Magazine

    Boston has been ranked the fifth happiest city in United States. Men’s Health magazine ranked 100 American cities from the happiest to the saddest. According to a Dutch research, people living in cities near parks and gardens were 25 percent less likely to be diagnosed with depression than those with nary a patch of grass in sight.

    iStock
    AAA

    Sleep-deprived: 10th
    Who says:
    www.stonehearthnewsletters.com

    Boston effortlessly bagged the 10th position in the most sleep-deprived cities list based on an independent analysis of individual sleep habits as reported in an annual study of more than 350,000 adults by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

    iStock
    AAA

    Trick-or-treating: 2d
    Who says:
    Zillow

    The Zillow Trick-or-Treat Index is designed to help kids (and parents) use data to identify cities that will boost their Halloween haul. Boston ranked second in 2011, trailing just San Francisco. Last year, Boston ranked eighth.

    Barry Chin/Globe Staff
    AAA

    High credit scores: 7th
    Who says:
    USA Today

    A national analysis by credit bureau Experian showed Boston to have the seventh highest credit score nationwide with a score of 779. The city has an unemployment rate of 7.10 percent and $96, 500 median family income.

    iStock
    AAA

    Healthiest: 3d
    Who says:
    Forbes

    Forbes recently announced its list of America’s healthiest cities, and Boston came in third. According to Forbes, 80 percent of Boston residents said they exercise regularly and 47 percent consider themselves “moderately physically active.”

    Globe Photo
    AAA

    Best for seniors: 2d
    Who says:
    Bankers Life and Casualty Co.

    Forget about Florida and the belief that old people crave the sun. A new survey found that Boston is the second best US city for senior living, with Minneapolis ranking No. 1. The survey looked at categories such as health care, economics, health and longevity, social, environment, spiritual life, housing, transportation, and crime.

    iStock
    AAA

    Romantic men: 6th
    Who says:
    Chemistry.com

    For all those local lonely hearts who think they’ll never find love in Boston, here’s a little news to cheer you up. Boston ranks six nationwide as the top city to find a romantic man, according to the online dating site Chemistry.com.

    iStock
    AAA

    Tablet use: 40th
    Who says:
    Men’s Health Magazine

    For Bostonians, everything is at their fingertips. With an average grade of a C+, Boston ranked 40th out of the 100 most-tablet-computer-using cities. The magazine filled the criteria with the amount of Apple and Best Buy stores per capita, and the percentage of households that own tablets, notebooks, or laptops.

    Carl Court/Getty Images
    AAA

    Social media savvy: 9th
    Twitter usage: 29th
    Who says:
    NetProspex

    Tweet. Post. Like. Tag. @reply. Follow. Friend. Bostonians are pros when it comes to using social media and staying connected with people through social networks. Boston was ranked No. 9 out of 25 in social media intelligence. The city tied for 29th out of 50 spots for Twitter usage.

    Associated Press
    AAA

    Walkability: 3d
    Who says:
    Walkscore.com

    Boston ranks third among the nation’s largest cities in walking accessibility, trailing No. 1 New York and San Francisco according to a survey by Seattle-based Walkscore.com. The best community in the commonwealth is Cambridge, left, which scored 89, one point shy of being considered a “walker’s paradise.” Boston got a score of 79.

    Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Worst-Dressed City: 1st
    Who says:
    GQ

    The fashion police have spoken. The men’s style magazine named Boston as the most sartorially challenged metropolis in the greater United States. Take note: Pleated khakis are a fashion no-no.

    AAA

    Least obese: 4th
    Who says:
    Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

    Massachusetts is the fourth least obese state in the country with an obesity rate of 22.3 percent. The state’s obesity rate has increased to almost double from its previous obesity rate of 11.6 percent in 1996, though it has maintained its rank as the fourth least over these years.

    Joel Benjamin/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Best cities for families: 3d
    Who says:
    Parenting Magazine

    Boston is one of the best cities for families, according to Parenting Magazine’s 2011 list. Boston has a great school system, fine organizations, and top universities. Its community gardens, playgrounds, and parks make it an ideal place for kids.

    Peter Cade/Getty Images
    AAA

    Well-read: 1st
    Who says:
    Amazon.com

    Amazon.com recently released its list of the top 20 most well-read cities in America. Cambridge – one of the higher education hubs of the state (at left, Harvard University) – was ranked at the top.

    David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Youngest: 5th
    Who says:
    RealAge

    Bostonians are at least a year younger than the age listed on their birth certificates. Why? They smoke less, sleep more (6-9 hours a night), and are less likely to be in unhappy relationships.

    John Blanding/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Angriest city: 81st
    Who says:
    Men’s Health Magazine

    Here’s a ranking Boston nearly failed. Not surprised to hear someone lose their temper, whether it’s road rage or a misunderstanding at a grocery store? Men’s Health Magazine wasn’t either. It ranked Boston as one of the angriest cities in the United States. Our grade: a D-plus.
    Note: The list is organized from most angry to most serene. The higher the ranking, the angrier the city; the lower the number, the more serene.

    iStock
    AAA

    Best place to live for those with autism: 4th
    Who says:
    Autism Speaks

    Autism Speaks ranked Boston No. 4 based on its “proximity to services, access to services, and education in both public and private schools for children with autism,” according to Autism Speaks president Mark Roithmayr.

    iStock
    AAA

    Sports town: 2d
    Who says:
    The Sporting News

    With the passion fans feel for the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins, locals might take issue with Boston only achieving runner-up status to Chicago in the The Sporting News ranking of top sports towns.

    Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Flirtiest: 2d
    Who says: Badoo, a social networking and dating site

    New England’s snowy, cold winters don’t seem to have a negative effect on Bostonians’ passion for meeting up with potential matches. The city ranks second only to Miami for being the flirtiest US city, according to a 2011 survey by Badoo.

    The Boston Globe
    AAA

    Love: 6th
    Who says:
    The Daily Beast

    Not only do Bostonians flirt, they apparently follow up. The Daily Beast ranks Boston among the top 10 cities for love, giving it an A ranking for the number of singles and a B rating for marriage.
    Pictured, Claudiu and Alina Badea after their 2009 wedding ceremony in Boston.

    Globe Photo
    AAA

    Smartest: 3d
    Who says:
    The Daily Beast

    With so many top colleges and universities calling Boston home, is there any surprise that The Daily Beast considers it a “wicked smaht” city?

    Dina Rudick/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Best college town: 4th
    Who says:
    American Institute for Economic Research

    That being said, one survey ranked Boston behind New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., among college towns in the United States.

    The Boston Globe
    AAA

    Running: 8th
    Who says:
    Runner’s World

    The lure and legacy of the Boston Marathon gives the city a solid place among runners. Those training for 26.2 miles or something shorter can look for motivation along with views of the city along the Charles River and Esplanade.

    Jim Davis/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Best microbrews: 7th
    Who says:
    Travel and Leisure

    Boston scores big for its craft beer selections. Local residents may already know about area stalwarts Harpoon, Sam Adams, and Cambridge Brewing Company, but many smaller companies, such as the Cambridge-based Pretty Things and Clown Shoes, have also joined the Hub’s beer scene in recent years.

    John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
    AAA

    Most wired: 12th
    Who says:
    Forbes

    Boston didn’t score too high in a Forbes listing of the most-wired cities, citing the relatively small number of broadband service providers in the region.

    Barry Chin/Globe Staff
    AAA

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