Miami Beach in top 100 most livable cities list

Two South Florida cities ranked in the top 100 most livable cities, according to a Livability list released Friday. Miami Beach ranked 38th and Coral Gables, 100th.

The research team cited Miami Beach’s waterfront access, dining options and cultural attractions among its winning features.

“Sultry beaches, sizzling restaurants, wild nightclubs and the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world make Miami Beach one hot place to live,” Livability said. “Golf courses, museums and shopping centers provide more entertainment options. Miami Beach has attracted a diverse group of residents and draws thousands of tourists.”

With a population of 88,628, Miami Beach has a median household income of $43,321 and a median home price of $333,000, according to Livability.

Coral Gables was lauded as a popular shopping destination with renowned international retailers.

According to the ranking, the largest employer in Coral Gables is the University of Miami and Baptist Hospital of Miami is second largest. Engineering and marine science companies are also headquartered within the city.

Livability looked at more than 2,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 350,000 to select its top 100. It analyzed economics, housing, amenities, infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, education and health care.

Madison, Wisconsin topped the list. Rochester, Minnesota ranked second, followed by Arlington, Virginia; Boulder, Colorado; and Palo Alto, California. The only other city in Florida that made the list was Orlando, which ranked 86th.