OGDEN -- Forbes magazine has ranked the Ogden-Clearfield Metropolitan Statistical Area second on its annual list of the nation's most livable cities. The Provo metro area placed third.
The Pittsburgh metro area came in first. Its arts scene, job prospects, safety and affordability make it the most livable city in the country, according to Forbes.
In compiling the list, Forbes measured five factors: unemployment, crime, income growth, cost of living, and artistic and cultural opportunities.
The Ogden-Clearfield area, which encompasses Weber, Davis and Morgan counties, ranked high because of its proximity to Weber State University, according to Forbes.
The magazine also noted unemployment in the area is below the national average and incomes have increased by 3.4 percent over the last five years.
The Forbes ranking is prestigious, said Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey.
"The successes we have had in decreasing downtown crime, attracting high-paying jobs and focusing on the outdoor sector are paying off," he said. "A No. 2 ranking (by Forbes) is a big deal."
Despite Forbes' high ranking, another publication, www.portfolio.com, rated Ogden as one the nation's least fun cities. Ogden ranked 95th, and Provo placed dead last out of 100 metro areas surveyed.
New York was ranked as the most fun city.
Results were grouped in seven categories of fun: shopping, food and drink, culture, popular entertainment, gambling, and high-impact and low-impact sports.
Ogden Councilman Brandon Stephenson disagrees with www.portfolio.com's ranking and believes the comparison between Ogden and cities the size of New York is flawed.
"I think they are wrong," Stephenson said. "For a city of its size, Ogden has lots of fun things and is getting better every year."
Related link: This article is a topic of discussion at Weber County Forum.
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