The two lists could just as easily be of the fastest growing communities in the country and the slowest growing, or declining communities in the country. It's probably not a coincidence. People want to be around positive people and are driven out by the negative ones remaining. That's always been the history of development in the world. People, jobs, creativity and productivity go where they are welcomed, honored and celebrated.
"Liberal" cities were the story of the 20th century, just as "conservative" communities are the story of the 21st century. But also rooted in the 20th century success story were the institutions like broadcast (mainstream) media, communism, socialism, trade unionism, fascism and demagoguery, public schools and the universities. They're fighting hard to remain relevant and in control of a dynamic, evolving society that levels the playing field -- just when they thought they were at the top and have a right to permanently remain there. It doesn't work that way. That's why all your Helen Thomases and Jimmy Carters are screaming for everybody to get back with the program of worshipping them as society's deities.