What National Media Got Wrong About Boise in 2024

Boise has been making national lists for years, from being ranked as one of the most livable cities in the U.S, to being crowned an ideal place to start your career. Today, host Lindsay Van Allen and executive producer Frankie Barnhill are questioning whether these rankings actually reflect the reality of living here. They’re digging into some contradictory lists to see how they shape perceptions of our community, and ask whether these titles are fueling Boise’s growth — or just complicating it. Boise Rankings:  #2 in Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024-25, U.S. News #2 in Best Places to Live in the U.S., Business Insider #18 Best City to Start a Career, WalletHub #96 out of 100 cities for new grads, Zumper Meridian is #30 in Best Places to Live for Families, Fortune Well Idaho one of the worst states to raise a family, WalletHub Boise top 25 places to travel to in 2025, National Geographic  #5 in Best Places to Retire, U.S News Best Places to Live in the U.S in 2024-25, Livability  Want some more Boise news? Head over to our Hey Boise newsletter where you’ll get a cheatsheet to the city every weekday morning. Learn more about the sponsor of this December 17th episode:  Inn at 500 Salishan Coastal Lodge - Visit salishan.com and use code CITYCAST to save 20% on your stay today! Interested in advertising with City Cast Boise? Find more info HERE. Reach us at boise@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices