San Jose unceremoniously booted from Top 10 largest US cities, still ranked one of “best places to live”

National rankings have confirmed what San Joseans have clearly discerned through and post Covid: SJ's population has dipped to the point of excluding the once-flourishing tech hub from the US's 10 biggest cities. While housing scarcity and unaffordability reach frightening highs, it's no shocker that residents are fleeing to areas with more hospitable policies. Yet, SJ rates #13 on U.S. News' "best places to live" list (#1 in CA) due to high quality of life—for the rare few who can afford to live in the 14th most expensive city. SF Chronicle & U.S. News report.

No surprises here: San Jose's population continues to plummet, as reported by the SF Chronicle:

Both Austin, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla., surpassed San Jose’s population during the pandemic as the Bay Area’s largest city fell two spots in national rankings.

With an estimated 971,233 residents as of July 2022, San Jose is now the 12th largest U.S. city, according to new U.S. census estimates released Wednesday. Since April 2020, the city has lost a net 42,000 people, or 4.1% of its 2020 population, a major reversal after years of tech-fueled growth.

In contrast, Texas and Florida have been two of the biggest pandemic population winners — with many California residents moving in for cheaper housing and no state income taxes. Experts have previously said that the Bay Area’s population drop reflects job losses during the pandemic and people seeking more affordable housing elsewhere, combined with the ability to work remotely.

Between April 2020 and July 2022, the most recent data available, Austin gained an estimated 12,500 residents for an estimated total of 974,447 people. Jacksonville grew by about 21,700 people to reach 971,319 in the same period, just slightly more than San Jose.

A shrinking population can be an ominous sign for a city’s economy and future, threatening tax revenue as fewer people work and live in its boundaries. San Jose has historically grappled with public worker pension obligations, and falling tax revenue could jeopardize the city’s economic stability — the city could face a roughly $30 million deficit next fiscal year. San Francisco, which also lost population throughout the pandemic, is facing a potentially massive budget deficit of over $209 million next year.

This article originally appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. Read the whole thing here.

The tech-heavy city may be losing residents left and right, but the ones remaining are, at least on the whole, happy. From the U.S. News:

What’s it like to live in San Jose, CA?

Nicknamed the capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is a diverse area with an innovative spirit. While it has a distinct downtown, San Jose is a sprawling metro area that is as much defined by its suburban neighborhoods and large tech campuses as it is by the high-rises in its business district. San Jose's proximity to other tech headquarters in Silicon Valley, including Google in Mountain View and Apple in Cupertino, cements San Jose's position in the tech hub. But the metro area also retains its character with quirky attractions like the 160-room, maze-like Winchester Mystery House; a 120-acre flea market complete with ponies; and a larger-than-life Monopoly board....

Rankings

U.S. News analyzed 150 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there.

This article originally appeared in the U.S. News. Read the whole thing here.

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Lauren Oliver