Ridiculous Study Puts One Iowa City on Best Places to Live in U.S.

It feels like we have a new study released every day that claims to know our best, worst, smartest, drunkest state, county, city, etc.

Well, today, we have yet another like that.

This one comes from a website called Niche. The study claims to name the best cities in America. The problem is that it's an almost comically long list.

READ MORE: Iowans, Do NOT Fall for This Text Message Scam

So, here's how Niche's study works. They combed the best places to live in the U.S. based on:

• Crime,
• Public schools
• Cost of living
• Job opportunities
• Local amenities

From that data, one Iowa city ranked... in the top 700 cities. That's right, there are over 700 cities on this list.

Which One Iowa City Made This Long List?

Again, this is a very vast study. Ranking cities as "A+" cities, down to B-level. Only one Iowa city makes the list in the top 700.

Get our free mobile app

That's right, one city. In at number 673 on the list... University Heights.

A part of the Ioa City Metropolitan Statistical Area, University Heights has a population of only 1,187.

Listed by Niche as having an "A+" overall grade, the city is ranked right next to a suburb of Philadelphia and a suburb of Chicago on the vast list.

While University Heights flies a bit under the radar since it's essentially inside of Iowa City, it has been the subject of that very question: How is this even a city?

The Gazette actually asked that question a year or so ago.

Whatever your thoughts are on studies like this, it's worth noting that the top city in America is Colonial Villiage, according to the folks at Niche.

You can see all 1,000+ cities listed here.

You can find some of the best restaurants in our area listed below.