3 Austin-area locations make Money magazine's list of 100 best places to live

Austin-area residents know the suburban charm and small-town allure of Round Rock well enough, but now Money magazine and its annual list of 100 best places to live has caught on.

The financial publication ranked the Williamson County community as its second-best place to live, right behind the top finisher, Clarksville, Tennessee.

Money magazine weighed such factors as economic health, cost of living, diversity, public education, income, crime, ease of living and amenities.

"Just 20 miles north of Austin lies a thriving community with a lot going for it," the magazine said, citing the city's job growth and an expanding array of businesses, which includes tech giant Dell Technologies.

The magazine also points out that, "in addition to stellar schools and a robust economy, Round Rock is also filled with fun things to do in your spare time," including minor league baseball games at Dell Diamond or events at the city’s 640-acre Old Settlers Park.

Of the four Texas cities on the list of best places to live, only one is outside the Austin metro area.

RELATED: Small-town allure spurs suburban growth in Central Texas, census data show

The next Texas city on Money magazine's list is the fast-growing Dallas suburb of Wylie, on the northern end of Lake Ray Hubbard, coming in at No. 26. The magazine touts its small-town community spirit and the outdoor lifestyle that comes from its proximity to Ray Hubbard and Lavon Lake.

Because of the magazine's selection criteria, Austin itself doesn't make the magazine's list but a neighborhood, Hyde Park in Central Austin, shows up on the list at No. 51.

Meanwhile, yet another one of Austin's sister cities along the Interstate 35 corridor — San Marcos, was ranked at No. 76.

To craft its list, the magazine first narrowed the list down to 1,796 places using a set of criteria, such as:

• Looking only at places with populations of 50,000 or greater.

• Breaking down places with 300,000 or more people into neighborhoods, and then only neighborhoods with populations between 5,000 and 200,000 people.

• Eliminating any place with more than double the national crime risk, less than 85% of its state’s median household income, or a lack of ethnic diversity.