MICHIGAN — Two Michigan cities are among the 100 best places to live in the U.S., according to a ranking released by Livability.com. Ann Arbor and Troy are among the 100 small- to medium-sized cities that made this year’s list. Ann Arbor scored high for education, amenities and health. The ranking highlighted the presence of the University of Michigan and other higher education institutions in the area, good healthcare and an “innovative economy,” among other features of the city. “Living in Ann Arbor is a dream as it is a city with a youthful vibe, a wealth of amenities and a robust talent pool,” according to Livability.com. “It’s one of the best places to live in the U.S. due, in part, to the prestigious university that pairs well with a highly ranked public school system.” The ranking also highlights jobs, including in innovative industries such as artificial intelligence, data security, biotechnology and automotive innovation. “All that academia trickles down to a creative culture,” including museums, independent bookstores, theater, live music and festivals, according to the ranking. It also highlights Ann Arbor’s restaurant scene, parks, playgrounds, and trails, along with a walkable downtown. “This is a community where residents are engaged and come together for the betterment of the city,” according to Livability.com. Troy ranked high for education, safety and health, and is a “vibrant suburb of Detroit,” according to Livability.com. “For starters, it’s a hotbed of major companies such as J.D. Power & Associates, ThyssenKrupp and Kelly Services, to name just a few, which help bolster the local economy,” it states. “Not to mention, it’s at the center of ‘Automation Alley,’ with global automotive technology and manufacturing as core sectors. The ranking highlights the city’s “highly educated workforce” and “excellent city services.” “The city was also voted the safest city in Michigan and one of the 25 safest cities in the nation, which is one of the reasons families find it so attractive,” it states. The ranking also highlights outdoor recreation, including parks, lakes and waterways, golf courses, and other recreational amenities, along with its restaurants, arts, history and “shopping mecca” the Somerset Collection. While the cost of living in both cities is higher than the national average, Livability.com’s ranking suggests these are affordable places to live. The ranking looked at housing and living costs and average household income in cities. The list is limited to cities where the average home value is $500,000 or less. The list does not rank the cities in any order. Livability.com partnered with Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) to analyze data from over 2,000 U.S. cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000 to choose a top 100. An interactive map provides more information on all 100 cities named in this year’s ranking. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Ann Arbor” daily newsletter.