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the Top 10 Cities For Hispanics It's been a tough few years for the nation’s cities. As major companies export jobs, urban areas that depended on industrial work have suffered. As the cost of fuel has increased, metropolises on the nation’s far edges have poured hard-earned dollars into their gas tanks. And as more and more homes go into foreclosure, some of the country’s most attractive and appealing cities are becoming out of reach for anyone other than the upper classes. As public schools crowd with students and issues, worried parents wonder what to do about their child’s education. With all of these major issues at the forefront of the nation’s collective consciousness, we wondered how to select the top 10 cities for Latinos in the U.S. ALBUQUERQUE Named one of the best places for business and career by Forbes, as one of the nation’s fittest cities by Men’s Fitness, and one of the best places to live and play by National Geographic Adventure, in addition to being the recipient of dozens of other accolades, Albuquerque is thriving. Hispanic business leaders have fostered a community of success through the Hispano Chamber of Commerce and other small business resources. Led by Mayor Martin J. Chavez, the city is working hard to foster sustainability and most importantly water conservation, a critical concern of the desert city, efforts for which they have earned global applause. Albuquerquans strive to care for their oasis and don’t hide indoors when nature beckons, and as a result the area has some of the region’s premier parks. AUSTIN
CHICAGO
DALLAS
SAN ANTONIO
HOUSTON
DENVER
MIAMI
SAN DIEGO
TUCSON
Honorable Mentions Great places abound, and more than 10 merit applause. The following five cities are also thriving metropolises with plenty of attractive pluses.
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Long considered a cultural hub, Austin boasts a thriving arts community, not to mention its enviable title as the Live Music Capital of the World. Musicians descend upon the city in hopes of being discovered, helping Austin earn a reputation as a place that not only supports artists, but where artists can make a living at their craft. With very low unemployment, a moderate cost of living and manageable energy costs, budgeting is a little easier here. Add to that the city’s dedication to education: As the site of the University of Texas, a world-class institution, Austin is home to students, professors, researchers, writers, scientists, educators, doctors and more. Air quality is very good, the city is working to reduce its carbon footprint, a healthy parks system promotes an active lifestyle, and the police work with residents to help prevent crime.
A vibrant metropolis bursting with different ethnic groups, Chicago has long been home to a bustling and active Puerto Rican community, and now also to Mexican, Colombian, Dominican and other Latino groups, totaling nearly 800,000 altogether. Much ado has been made over the dynamic Pilsen neighborhood, where Latino art, food, music and culture thrive. For residents thinking of making a name in business, support is at the ready, from media to the work of the Chicago Minority Business Council. The city has made strides in education, and recently announced that the rate of students enrolling in college has increased 6.5 percent in the past four years, faster than the national average. Chicagoans could benefit from lower energy costs, as the Second City has the highest costs of any city on our list. A slightly lower cost of living also wouldn’t hurt, although for a city as large and sprawling as Chicago, the cost is manageable. 
Business and pleasure mix well in this larger than life city, where more than 43 percent of the population is Hispanic. Home to entrepreneurs and big business barons, Dallas has made it a mission to see economic development progress. It’s the hub of some major international operations that employ thousands of Dallasites. It has done this all the while keeping the cost of living at below the national average and maintaining the affordability of homes. Area schools are also a big concern in the Big D, and the city has announced that six high schools will be redesigned to offer programs giving some students a step up to pursue careers in several fields including law, business and architecture, among others.
San Antonio just would not be the same had Hispanics not made their mark here from the start. As a result it boasts generations old families and their businesses, as intrinsic to the city’s identity as the Riverwalk or the Alamo. A super low cost of living, the lowest on the list, low utilities costs, affordable homes and relatively low unemployment are all draws. Like Dallas, San Antonio also has an enviable medical community. As the home of the University of Texas Health Science Center, it is the hub for medical research that not only benefits locals but people around the world. However, San Antonio, not to mention Houston, could benefit from being a little more healthy. Regularly rated as one of the country’s fattest metropolises, the Alamo city has a high rate of Hispanic overweight and obesity. 
The future of American energy might very well come out of Houston. This fourth-largest city in the country is home to almost 5,000 energy-related companies, many on the cutting edge of the field. It’s just one area in which the city excels. Business is another. In fact Forbes regularly lists Houston as one of the Best Places for Business or Careers. With low unemployment and low cost of living, Houston gives professionals a hand toward building prosperity. Plus the violent crime rate is among the lowest on our list. Residents also have a leg up in the healthcare area, as the city is home to the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical center. 
The site of this month’s Democratic National Convention, Denver will host 35,000 politicians, lawmakers, activists, officials and interested parties. The entire event is expected to pump millions into the local economy. It’s the perfect spot considering the presence of Hispanic elected officials in local government and as the home of the prolific Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Business and community leaders also lend their hands to the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado, which promotes philanthropy in the community and supports nonprofits. Denver also celebrates its Hispanic residents and attracts visitors with art offerings such as the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council and the Museo de las Americas. A moderate cost of living, temperate weather and appealing outdoor activities make recreation easy, too. 
Known as the gateway to Latin America, the size and diversity of the Miami’s Latino population is enviable. With Hispanics comprising nearly 70 percent of the city, boasting residents from all over South and Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, Miami is truly an international city. As such, no other city has Miami’s wealth of Spanish-language and Hispanic media. The city’s cultural life is also rich with art exhibits and performances that speak to Hispanic audiences. Business directors eager for international development have a leg up in setting up shop here, as the area serves as a base for more than 1,300 multinational companies, according to WorldCity magazine. Also, young city dwellers have many Latino leaders to look up to, most notably Mayor Manny Diaz, the current president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Those looking to continue their education will find many options here, including the University of Miami, Florida International University, Miami Dade College and Barry University, among others. 
It’s expensive to live in California, and San Diego is no different. With the highest cost of living on our list, its balmy weather, placid beaches, scenic farmlands and views of the mountains come at a high price. A higher median household income helps make up for the higher cost of living, energy and housing. Low violent and property crime rates, which have been on the decline for more than a decade, and high home values make it stand-out among America’s largest cities. Although Hispanics make up less than a third of the population, the lowest proportion among our 10 cities, their presence and activity in the business and media worlds are evident through the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and dozens of media choices, all which help unite and inform the spread-out community. 
It seems Tucson’s residents have it all going for them. The city’s cultural history and its Hispanic roots are intertwined. Old-style Spanish buildings pepper the landscape and the U.S. Mexico border is a mere 60 miles away, making international travel within reach. The city has an active Hispanic chamber of commerce intent on growing prospects for Latino entrepreneurs. Add to that the city’s eye toward health: it regularly appears on “healthy cities” lists and values outdoor culture. Organizations determined to reverse the trend of child obesity are filling their programs with children eager to move. Plus the cost of living, unemployment and healthcare are low. 
San Jose: Home of the National Hispanic University, San Jose is a city that supports Hispanic education. It’s a safe haven for families, and property and violent crime is relatively low for a city of its size. And boasting the highest median income of any city on the list, it helps counter the high cost of living.
San Francisco: A leader in eco-friendly living, San Francisco has never been timid when it comes to doing all it can for the health and wellness of its city and citizens. Great air quality, a thriving arts community and a healthy and supportive environment for Latino entrepreneurs are what you can find here, if you can afford the steep price tag. 
Las Vegas: Vegas is hot, and not only for its scorching temperatures. Median household incomes are higher than the national average and last year the city was named the American City of the Year. Water worries are high on city dwellers’ minds now, and policies and resources may soon need to be evaluated.