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Is Phoenix a cool city? This ranking says so

Phoenix landed at No. 13 in a recent ranking of the coolest US cities. Do you think it belongs there?

Phoenix's cityscape in downtown at sunset.
Phoenix's cityscape in downtown at sunset. (Shutterstock Photo/Sean Pavone)

Do you think Phoenix is a cool city? Not weather-wise, because we all know that answer. But in terms of being fashionable, chic, etc.

I ask because it landed at No. 13 in a recent ranking of the coolest US cities.

People have very different definitions of “cool” though, so here’s what this Betway Insider ranking took into consideration, plus where Phoenix stood:

  • Median age: 33.9
  • Number of street art murals: 48.5 per 100,000 people
  • Number of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free restaurants: 23.6 per 100,000 people
  • Number of hidden gem restaurants, cafes, and bars (as determined by Tripadvisor): 2.5 per 100,000 people
  • Number of record stores: 0.7 per 100,000 people
  • Number of upcoming music events: 39.2 per 100,000 people
  • Number of tattoo parlors: 2.3 per 100,000 people

Phoenix ranked really high for murals—third out of the top 15—but very low for record stores. Portland and Detroit won there with five per 100,000 people.

Here’s which cities made up the top of the ranking:

  1. Boston
  2. Las Vegas
  3. Portland, Oregon
  4. San Francisco
  5. Seattle
  6. Denver
  7. Nashville
  8. Washington DC
  9. Detroit
  10. Los Angeles
  11. Austin
  12. San Diego

 

MORE: Phoenix arts hero Robbie Pfeffer graces the ‘America’s Got Talent’ stage

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