America's Best Big Cities to Live In

Big cities provide an exciting space to live in, from their bustling streets to the range of activities they offer.

While some urban areas can be pricey, Money took a look at metro areas that have a population of more than 300,000 people, but that also offer affordable housing, strong job growth, top school options, low crime, the local economy, and livability factors like transportation options or access to parks and green spaces.

Out of 63 contenders, here are America's top six big cities to live in:

Boston, Massachusetts

Residents of Boston will find a variety of family-friendly attractions, as the city offers everything from historic tours to aquariums.

The median home price in Boston is $545,000, while its average property tax is $5,292. With an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent, Boston has seen a growth it its local economy, leading to the development of new buildings and luxury towers across its neighborhoods.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh offers a reasonable cost of living, with a median home price of $208,250 and an average property tax of $2,495.

This, in combination with its growing job sphere, access residents have to top universities like Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and its combination of cultural events and outdoor activities, lead to its selection as one of the top six.

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is prized thanks to its low cost of living—with a median home price of $131,500 and an average property tax of $2,571—and the highly educated workforce it produces thanks to its wide range of universities.

Arlington, Texas

With everything from sports arenas and theme parks to music venues and comedy clubs, Arlington offers residents plenty to choose from when it comes to entertainment.

The city has affordable home rates, with a median home price of $168,688 and an average property tax of $3,929, and has been reviving its downtown area to include a slew of new restaurants and attractions.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Known as a haven for sports enthusiasts, Colorado Springs offers miles of hiking and biking trails to enjoy.

Besides its appeal for nature lovers, the city is also home to a booming economy tapping into high-tech fields like cyber security and aerospace. Its median home price is $227,500, with an average property tax of $1,100 and an unemployment rate of 4.7 percent.

Portland, Oregon

Portland has become popular for its thriving food scene, which ranges from gourmet farm-to-table restaurants to delectable bites you can grab from one of its many food trucks.

In addition to some of the quirky attractions it offers, the city is also home to a growing tech scene, thanks to the growing presence of companies like like Airbnb and Google.

See the full list of Money's 50 Best Places to Live in America.

Talia Avakian is a digital reporter at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter at @TaliaAvak.