Albany named one of the best areas to live for families

ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) - Albany has been named one of the best places to live for families by U.S. News & World Report.

The publication ranked the top 25 metro areas for families in 2019. Albany made the list at 17.

"While Albany’s unemployment rate of 3.9% matches the national average, the median annual salary, at $52,770, is more than $2,000 above the national average," the report read. "Albany’s crime rates are also well below average, with just over two murders per 100,000 people and 1,900 property crimes per 100,000 people in 2017, based on FBI data."

Several factors were used to compile the list such as affordability, quality of life and job market. Other considerations included median annual salary, quality of high school education, average commute time, crime rate, an area's overall well-being and access to health care.

The only other New York state metro area on the list was Syracuse, which was ranked 21st.

Des Moines, Iowa was ranked first on the list.