Cary and Apex secured spots in the top 10, with Cary ranked No. 5 and Apex No. 7.

Two Triangle towns are earning national recognition for being among the best places to live in the United States.

U.S. News & World Report released its annual rankings Tuesday morning, evaluating more than 850 cities and towns across the country. Cary and Apex secured spots in the top 10, with Cary ranked No. 5 and Apex No. 7.

The rankings are based on several key factors, including quality of life, job market strength, affordability and overall desirability. While both towns scored high in most categories, it was the healthy job market and high median incomes that helped push them toward the top.

"The job market in the Triangle area is just fantastic," said consumer lending analyst Erika Giovanetti. "Low unemployment rates and the availability of high-paying jobs really set the region apart."

That economic strength comes at a price. The average home price in both Cary and Apex is over $450,000, significantly higher than the national average of $281,000. The median household income, however, is nearly double the national average, a key reason these towns continue to attract new residents.