Recap of how each metro area ranks

Atlanta ranked third in housing affordability, fourth for the most university graduates and fifth for venture capital. But it's near the bottom in per capita personal income, per capita gross metropolitan product and job growth. Austin ranked at or near the top in several categories. It has the highest percentage of university graduates, the lowest unemployment rate and the least loss of housing values in the downturn, plus it tied for the second-highest job growth. Its economy grew the fastest, 7 percent, from 2009 to 2010. Denver has the second-highest percentage of university graduates, second-highest amount of venture capital and second-highest per-capita personal income. The Rocky Mountain city landed in the middle for housing affordability and job growth. Las Vegas suffered the greatest loss in housing values in the crash, about 65 percent, as well as about 13 percent of its jobs. It ranks at the bottom for university graduates and venture capital and ninth for per-capita personal income. Its housing is the second-most affordable. Phoenix ranks No. 1 in housing affordability and in August had the second-highest job growth behind Seattle, compared with a year earlier. But it ranks at or near the bottom for venture capital, university graduates and per capita income.

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