When I first moved my daughter to Dallas several years ago it was because she wanted to be a flight attendant. She moved to an area near the airports and started her search. We had family that worked for Southwest Airlines so it was just something she wanted to do.
The study was based on certain 'metrics of livability [including] the quality of schools, activities, and walkability.' The USA Today's team's research also included data regarding the quality of healthcare facilities and life expectancy, crime statistics, unemployment rates, and even severe weather risk averages in the cities. And of course, the study included a look at the cost of housing in each city.