Single in Phoenix

Each year we discuss the Forbes.com analysis of the best cities for singles in America. They take the 40 largest cities in the country, as defined by the last U.S. Census, and grade them based on a list of criteria.

What Were the Results?

Phoenix received high ratings for singles based on expected job growth and cost of living. Phoenix, as a city for singles, dropped from number 7 last year to number 14 this year--still a pretty respectable number.

Here are the factors by which each city was ranked, along with how Phoenix was rated for that category:

Forbes.com Criteria for Best Cities for Singles

1. Number of singles (age 15 or older that has never been married)
   Phoenix ranked 30 out of 40
2. Number of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs
   Phoenix ranked 19 out of 40
3. Number of museums, pro sports teams, and live theaters, as well as the university population
   Phoenix ranked 12 out of 40
4. Diversity and number of creative workers (those whose jobs require creativity, such as artists, scientists, teachers and musicians)
   Phoenix ranked 26 out of 40
5. Projected percentage of job growth over the next five years
   Phoenix ranked 4 out of 40
6. Average cost of apartment rent, a Pizza Hut pizza, a movie ticket and a six-pack of Heineken.
   Phoenix ranked 10 out of 40

So, which city came in at number 1? The Denver-Boulder metro area in Colorado got the nod again this year. See the Forbes.com rankings of the largest 40 cities.