Westfield Ranks Top 10 in “Best Small Cities”

Adam McCann, Financial WriterOct 4, 2022

Not everyone craves the bright lights and crowded spaces of big cities. In fact, nearly half of Americans (46%) say they would prefer to live in the suburbs, compared to 19% for urban areas and 35% for rural communities. Small-city life can be best for those who appreciate more wiggle room, fewer degrees of separation and shorter commutes, to name just a few of its advantages. Granted, these little urban areas demand some tradeoffs, too, such as fewer restaurant options or shorter business hours.

One of the best perks of living in a city with a relatively small population is affordability. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the cost of living for a two-parent, two-child family in Hanford, California, for instance, would be $6,516 per month, compared with more than double at $13,251 for the same family in San Francisco.

No two small cities are made equal, though, so which ones outshine the rest? To find out, WalletHub compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 based on 43 key indicators of livability. They range from housing costs to school-system quality to restaurants per capita. Read on for the winners, additional insight from our panel of experts and a full description of our methodology.

Table of Contents

Main FindingsAsk the ExpertsMethodology

Main Findings

Given the large sample of cities ranked in this study, we grouped cities by percentile. The 99th percentile represents the top 1 percent of small cities in America.119999

City	Percentile
Lancaster, PA	99
Carmel, IN	99
Fair Lawn, NJ	99
Lexington, MA	99
Brentwood, TN	99
Melrose, MA	99
Zionsville, IN	99
Needham, MA	99
Portland, ME	99
Westfield, IN	99
Milton, MA	99
Sammamish, WA	99
Dublin, OH	99
Brookfield, WI	99
Leawood, KS	99
Apex, NC	99
Arlington, MA	99
Burlington, MA	99
Newton, MA	99
Princeton, NJ	98
Redmond, WA	98
Randolph, MA	98
Ridgewood, NJ	98
Leesburg, VA	98
Saratoga Springs, NY	98
Fishers, IN	98
Castle Rock, CO	98
Wake Forest, NC	98
Medford, MA	98
Reading, MA	98
Franklin, TN	98
Cedar Park, TX	98
Los Altos, CA	97
Troy, MI	97
Southlake, TX	97
Plymouth, MN	97
Issaquah, WA	97
Elmhurst, IL	97
Savage, MN	97
Minnetonka, MN	97
Parker, CO	97
Kaysville, UT	97
Paramus, NJ	97
Livermore, CA	97
Belmont, MA	97
Glen Ellyn, IL	97
Menomonee Falls, WI	97
Holly Springs, NC	96
Oviedo, FL	96
Mercer Island, WA	96
Alpharetta, GA	96
Allen, TX	96
Brownsburg, IN	96
Ankeny, IA	96
Stratford, CT	96
Lakeville, MN	96
Winter Park, FL	96
Bend, OR	96
Highland Park, IL	96
Hoboken, NJ	95
Mason, OH	95
Waltham, MA	95
Cottage Grove, MN	95
Annapolis, MD	95
Milpitas, CA	95
Bountiful, UT	95
Saratoga, CA	95
Saratoga Springs, UT	95
Kirkland, WA	95
Eden Prairie, MN	95
Noblesville, IN	95
Pleasanton, CA	95
Wellesley, MA	94
South Portland, ME	94
Dedham, MA	94
Broomfield, CO	94
Leander, TX	94
Wakefield, MA	94
Somerville, MA	94
Woodstock, GA	94
Royal Oak, MI	94
Lake Oswego, OR	94
Palo Alto, CA	94
Park Ridge, IL	94
Fuquay-Varina, NC	94
Morrisville, NC	93
Wilmette, IL	93
Downers Grove, IL	93
Flower Mound, TX	93
Lenexa, KS	93
Wheaton, IL	93
Yorba Linda, CA	93
Maple Grove, MN	93
Bethesda, MD	93
Appleton, WI	93
Rochester Hills, MI	93
Syracuse, UT	93
Lehi, UT	93
Sarasota, FL	92
Cupertino, CA	92
Maple Valley, WA	92
Prior Lake, MN	92
Buffalo Grove, IL	92
Dublin, CA	92
Menlo Park, CA	92
Frederick, MD	92
Bozeman, MT	92
West Linn, OR	92
Shelton, CT	92
Northbrook, IL	92
Pflugerville, TX	92
Edina, MN	92
Waukesha, WI	91
Los Gatos, CA	91
Rockwall, TX	91
Keller, TX	91
West Fargo, ND	91
Little Elm, TX	91
Woburn, MA	91
Rockville, MD	91
Ramsey, MN	91
Bethel Park, PA	91
St. Charles, IL	91
Meridian, ID	91
Westfield, NJ	91
Shawnee, KS	90
Newport Beach, CA	90
Ballwin, MO	90
Plainfield, IN	90
Sun Prairie, WI	90
Carol Stream, IL	90
Hilliard, OH	90
Woodbury, MN	90
Chesterfield, MO	90
Boca Raton, FL	90
Fitchburg, WI	90
Newark, CA	90
Urbandale, IA	90
Dover, NH	89
Holland, MI	89
Morgan Hill, CA	89
Riverton, UT	89
New Berlin, WI	89
Bergenfield, NJ	89
Charlottesville, VA	89
Belmont, CA	89
Eagan, MN	89
Lake Forest, CA	89
Georgetown, TX	89
Algonquin, IL	89
Bothell, WA	89
Folsom, CA	88
Batavia, IL	88
Claremont, CA	88
Shakopee, MN	88
Friendswood, TX	88
Herriman, UT	88
Lafayette, CO	88
Lafayette, CA	88
Encinitas, CA	88
Huntley, IL	88
Lombard, IL	88
Spring Hill, TN	88
Glenview, IL	88
Westerville, OH	87
Danville, CA	87
Jupiter, FL	87
Beavercreek, OH	87
Brookline, MA	87
Plainfield, IL	87
Beaverton, OR	87
Coppell, TX	87
Mission Viejo, CA	87
Delaware, OH	87
Novi, MI	87
Mount Pleasant, SC	87
Winter Springs, FL	87
Warwick, RI	87
San Ramon, CA	86
Colleyville, TX	86
Bettendorf, IA	86
Rocklin, CA	86
Arlington Heights, IL	86
Norwood, MA	86
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA	86
South Jordan, UT	86
Norwalk, CT	86
Concord, NH	86
Ithaca, NY	86
Windsor, CA	86
Vernon Hills, IL	86
Parkland, FL	85
Long Beach, NY	85
Windsor, CO	85
Layton, UT	85
Sterling, VA	85
Fort Lee, NJ	85
Duluth, GA	85
Apple Valley, MN	85
Mundelein, IL	85
Woodridge, IL	85
White Plains, NY	85
Bentonville, AR	85
Mountain View, CA	85
Upper Arlington, OH	84
Chaska, MN	84
Wylie, TX	84
Milford, MA	84
Ashburn, VA	84
Englewood, NJ	84
Chapel Hill, NC	84
Salem, MA	84
Beverly, MA	84
Madison, MS	84
Walnut Creek, CA	84
Camarillo, CA	84
Tinley Park, IL	84
Framingham, MA	83
Peachtree City, GA	83
West Des Moines, IA	83
Farmington Hills, MI	83
Concord, NC	83
Naugatuck, CT	83
Nashua, NH	83
Littleton, CO	83
Iowa City, IA	83
Marysville, WA	83
Gloucester, MA	83
Loveland, CO	83
Oakley, CA	83
Danvers, MA	82
Schaumburg, IL	82
Strongsville, OH	82
Peabody, MA	82
Redwood City, CA	82
San Carlos, CA	82
New Lenox, IL	82
Burlington, VT	82
Easton, PA	82
Westlake, OH	82
Sachse, TX	82
Matthews, NC	82
Draper, UT	82
Marlborough, MA	82
Owatonna, MN	81
Fort Myers, FL	81
Mansfield, TX	81
Dana Point, CA	81
Milford, CT	81
Mentor, OH	81
Huntersville, NC	81
Lake in the Hills, IL	81
Palatine, IL	81
Bellevue, NE	81
Pleasant Grove, UT	81
Independence, KY	81
Aliso Viejo, CA	81
Manchester, CT	80
Richfield, MN	80
Oswego, IL	80
McHenry, IL	80
Tonawanda, NY	80
Winchester, VA	80
Wentzville, MO	80
Foster City, CA	80
West Hartford, CT	80
Des Plaines, IL	80
Medina, OH	80
Tigard, OR	80
Saugus, MA	80
Woodstock, IL	79
Stevens Point, WI	79
Poway, CA	79
Burlingame, CA	79
Brentwood, CA	79
Westmont, IL	79
Evanston, IL	79
Spanish Fork, UT	79
Danbury, CT	79
Malden, MA	79
West Chicago, IL	79
Quincy, MA	79
Ellicott City, MD	79
Marion, IA	78
Blaine, MN	78
Monroeville, PA	78
New Braunfels, TX	78
Johns Creek, GA	78
West Bend, WI	78
Midland, MI	78
Elk Grove Village, IL	78
Pacifica, CA	78
St. George, UT	78
Napa, CA	78
Newark, DE	78
Fredericksburg, VA	78
Sheboygan, WI	77
State College, PA	77
Redondo Beach, CA	77
North Tonawanda, NY	77
Sandy, UT	77
Bowie, MD	77
Weston, FL	77
Laguna Niguel, CA	77
Dunedin, FL	77
Bartlett, IL	77
Dubuque, IA	77
Mount Prospect, IL	77
Greenwood, IN	77
Santa Barbara, CA	76
Stow, OH	76
Mount Juliet, TN	76
Sayreville, NJ	76
Key West, FL	76
Orland Park, IL	76
Garner, NC	76
Lincoln, CA	76
Cypress, CA	76
San Marcos, CA	76
Coral Gables, FL	76
Eagle Mountain, UT	76
Oregon City, OR	76
Orem, UT	76
San Juan Capistrano, CA	75
Winter Garden, FL	75
St. Louis Park, MN	75
Moorpark, CA	75
Bellingham, WA	75
Inver Grove Heights, MN	75
North Ridgeville, OH	75
Union City, CA	75
Crystal Lake, IL	75
Benicia, CA	75
Mount Pleasant, WI	75
Manitowoc, WI	75
Valparaiso, IN	75
Neenah, WI	74
San Bruno, CA	74
Brunswick, OH	74
Wenatchee, WA	74
Alameda, CA	74
Middletown, CT	74
O’Fallon, MO	74
The Colony, TX	74
Cranston, RI	74
Lake Stevens, WA	74
Grapevine, TX	74
Palm Beach Gardens, FL	74
Newington, CT	74
Bolingbrook, IL	73
Redmond, OR	73
Manassas, VA	73
Springville, UT	73
Laguna Hills, CA	73
Eagle, ID	73
Edmonds, WA	73
Morgantown, WV	73
Oak Forest, IL	73
Westfield, MA	73
North Port, FL	73
Roswell, GA	73
Pleasant Hill, CA	73
San Clemente, CA	72
Tualatin, OR	72
Bristol, CT	72
Glendale Heights, IL	72
Petaluma, CA	72
Lockport, IL	72
Oshkosh, WI	72
Walla Walla, WA	72
Laramie, WY	72
Milton, GA	72
Rexburg, ID	72
Cedar Falls, IA	72
Kyle, TX	72
Everett, MA	71
Burnsville, MN	71
Martinez, CA	71
Wethersfield, CT	71
Olympia, WA	71
Bradenton, FL	71
Wausau, WI	71
Streamwood, IL	71
Kennesaw, GA	71
Clearfield, UT	71
Mooresville, NC	71
Bethlehem, PA	71
San Rafael, CA	71
St. Charles, MO	71
Santa Cruz, CA	70
Gaithersburg, MD	70
Salem, VA	70
Monterey, CA	70
Ames, IA	70
Washington, UT	70
Eau Claire, WI	70
North Olmsted, OH	70
White Bear Lake, MN	70
Hercules, CA	70
Pensacola, FL	70
Coon Rapids, MN	70
Brea, CA	70
Gahanna, OH	69
Roy, UT	69
Niles, IL	69
Lacey, WA	69
New Smyrna Beach, FL	69
Missoula, MT	69
Rowlett, TX	69
Campbell, CA	69
Shoreline, WA	69
Bella Vista, AR	69
Hackensack, NJ	69
Wauwatosa, WI	69
Winona, MN	69
Wheeling, IL	68
Glen Cove, NY	68
Albany, NY	68
Greenville, SC	68
Harrisonburg, VA	68
Potomac, MD	68
Cooper City, FL	68
Gurnee, IL	68
Olney, MD	68
Novato, CA	68
St. Peters, MO	68
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA	68
Madison Heights, MI	68
North Royalton, OH	67
Asheville, NC	67
McLean, VA	67
Marietta, GA	67
Hoffman Estates, IL	67
Addison, IL	67
Bloomington, IL	67
Franklin, WI	67
Duluth, MN	67
Hanover Park, IL	67
Post Falls, ID	67
Centreville, VA	67
Hilton Head Island, SC	67
Gilroy, CA	66
Kirkwood, MO	66
Burleson, TX	66
Goleta, CA	66
Bayonne, NJ	66
La Mirada, CA	66
Vacaville, CA	66
Severna Park, MD	66
Livonia, MI	66
Oak Park, IL	66
Longmont, CO	66
New Rochelle, NY	66
Cedar City, UT	66
Prescott, AZ	66
New City, NY	65
American Fork, UT	65
Oakdale, MN	65
Logan, UT	65
Rockledge, FL	65
Moscow, ID	65
Cibolo, TX	65
Northampton, MA	65
Reston, VA	65
Clermont, FL	65
Normal, IL	65
Bloomington, MN	65
Royal Palm Beach, FL	65
Santa Fe, NM	64
St. Clair Shores, MI	64
Torrington, CT	64
La Crosse, WI	64
Richland, WA	64
Troy, OH	64
Romeoville, IL	64
Manhattan Beach, CA	64
Valley Stream, NY	64
Bismarck, ND	64
Rahway, NJ	64
South San Francisco, CA	64
Chanhassen, MN	64
Blacksburg, VA	63
Germantown, TN	63
Rochester, NH	63
Portage, MI	63
Schertz, TX	63
Garfield, NJ	63
Liberty, MO	63
Missouri City, TX	63
Corvallis, OR	63
Plainview, NY	63
Kearny, NJ	63
La Habra, CA	63
Mint Hill, NC	63
Smyrna, GA	62
Santa Monica, CA	62
Bremerton, WA	62
Janesville, WI	62
Leominster, MA	62
Hicksville, NY	62
Palm Springs, CA	62
Maryville, TN	62
Cerritos, CA	62
Tustin, CA	62
Harrisburg, PA	62
Santee, CA	62
La Verne, CA	62
Clifton, NJ	61
Rogers, AR	61
Glendora, CA	61
Annandale, VA	61
Edmond, OK	61
Crown Point, IN	61
West Lafayette, IN	61
Attleboro, MA	61
Diamond Bar, CA	61
Fountain Valley, CA	61
Cottonwood Heights, UT	61
Austin, MN	61
Lawrence, KS	61
Wellington, FL	61
Altamonte Springs, FL	60
Yukon, OK	60
Pasadena, MD	60
Round Lake Beach, IL	60
Lakewood, OH	60
Berwyn, IL	60
Silver Spring, MD	60
Kettering, OH	60
Oro Valley, AZ	60
Shoreview, MN	60
Parma, OH	60
Madison, AL	60
East Meadow, NY	60
Canton, GA	59
Harker Heights, TX	59
Davis, CA	59
West Islip, NY	59
Beaumont, CA	59
Temple City, CA	59
Lynnwood, WA	59
Lee’s Summit, MO	59
Ormond Beach, FL	59
Oak Creek, WI	59
Delray Beach, FL	59
Bangor, ME	59
Buckeye, AZ	59
Hendersonville, TN	59
Walnut, CA	59
Evans, GA	58
West New York, NJ	58
Bixby, OK	58
Placentia, CA	58
Englewood, CO	58
Buena Park, CA	58
Helena, MT	58
Ocoee, FL	58
Revere, MA	58
Bloomington, IN	58
Skokie, IL	58
Waxahachie, TX	57
Carpentersville, IL	57
Palm Desert, CA	57
Collierville, TN	57
Findlay, OH	57
Federal Way, WA	57
Gallatin, TN	57
Kearney, NE	57
Fond du Lac, WI	57
Haverhill, MA	57
Grove City, OH	57
New London, CT	57
Cuyahoga Falls, OH	57
Alabaster, AL	56
San Luis Obispo, CA	56
Eldersburg, MD	56
Marana, AZ	56
La Mesa, CA	56
Mankato, MN	56
Smithtown, NY	56
Culver City, CA	56
Baldwin, NY	56
Coconut Creek, FL	56
Columbus, IN	56
Norristown, PA	56
Auburn, WA	56
Burbank, IL	55
Melbourne, FL	55
Port Orange, FL	55
East Providence, RI	55
Goodyear, AZ	55
University Place, WA	55
Springfield, VA	55
Ogden, UT	55
Atascadero, CA	55
Andover, MN	55
Bowling Green, OH	55
Kenosha, WI	55
SeaTac, WA	55
Meriden, CT	55
Lawrenceville, GA	54
Rosenberg, TX	54
Greer, SC	54
West Haven, CT	54
Brooklyn Park, MN	54
Moorhead, MN	54
Vestavia Hills, AL	54
Largo, FL	54
Rohnert Park, CA	54
West Sacramento, CA	54
Commack, NY	54
Rome, NY	54
Sparks, NV	54
Lake Jackson, TX	53
Mount Vernon, WA	53
Montgomery Village, MD	53
Florence, KY	53
Eastvale, CA	53
Yucaipa, CA	53
Galt, CA	53
Oak Lawn, IL	53
Wheat Ridge, CO	53
Conroe, TX	53
Norwich, CT	53
Galveston, TX	53
Sahuarita, AZ	53
Elizabethtown, KY	52
Huber Heights, OH	52
Plantation, FL	52
Jefferson City, MO	52
Stanton, CA	52
Maryland Heights, MO	52
Wyoming, MI	52
Redlands, CA	52
Miami Lakes, FL	52
St. Cloud, FL	52
Deer Park, TX	52
Albany, OR	52
Greenfield, WI	52
Bonita Springs, FL	51
Oak Park, MI	51
Mishawaka, IN	51
East Hartford, CT	51
Riverside, OH	51
Lynchburg, VA	51
Quincy, IL	51
Minot, ND	51
Lakewood, CA	51
Grand Forks, ND	51
Chico, CA	51
Levittown, NY	51
Des Moines, WA	51
Oceanside, NY	50
O’Fallon, IL	50
Poughkeepsie, NY	50
Kennewick, WA	50
Westminster, CA	50
Urbana, IL	50
Taunton, MA	50
Apache Junction, AZ	50
South Pasadena, CA	50
Franklin Square, NY	50
Owasso, OK	50
Wooster, OH	50
Pittsfield, MA	50
Mason City, IA	50
Granger, IN	49
Superior, WI	49
Altoona, PA	49
Lynn, MA	49
Idaho Falls, ID	49
Norco, CA	49
Doral, FL	49
Fairborn, OH	49
El Cerrito, CA	49
Moore, OK	49
Merrillville, IN	49
Tracy, CA	49
Beverly Hills, CA	49
Boynton Beach, FL	49
Middletown, NY	48
Lafayette, IN	48
San Gabriel, CA	48
Pullman, WA	48
Fairfield, OH	48
North Richland Hills, TX	48
Daphne, AL	48
Rancho Cordova, CA	48
Farmers Branch, TX	48
Hurst, TX	48
Puyallup, WA	48
East Lansing, MI	48
Brooklyn Center, MN	47
Cornelius, NC	47
Woodland, CA	47
Goose Creek, SC	47
Kaneohe, HI	47
Keizer, OR	47
Pasco, WA	47
Nampa, ID	47
Germantown, MD	47
Sandusky, OH	47
La Porte, TX	47
Troy, NY	47
West Seneca, NY	47
Sioux City, IA	46
Whittier, CA	46
Lewiston, ID	46
Schenectady, NY	46
Maplewood, MN	46
Smyrna, TN	46
Citrus Heights, CA	46
Longview, WA	46
McMinnville, OR	46
Levittown, PA	46
DeLand, FL	46
Aberdeen, SD	46
Georgetown, KY	46
Crofton, MD	45
Jeffersontown, KY	45
San Leandro, CA	45
Chino Hills, CA	45
North Chicago, IL	45
Southfield, MI	45
Frankfort, KY	45
Bedford, TX	45
Plant City, FL	45
San Lorenzo, CA	45
Woonsocket, RI	45
Sanford, FL	45
Lancaster, OH	45
Coeur d’Alene, ID	45
Palm City, FL	44
Hoover, AL	44
Cheyenne, WY	44
Euless, TX	44
Laurel, MD	44
Jeffersonville, IN	44
Florence, AZ	44
Erie, PA	44
Lebanon, TN	44
La Puente, CA	44
Auburn, NY	44
Odenton, MD	44
Arcadia, CA	44
East Haven, CT	43
Maricopa, AZ	43
Slidell, LA	43
Kentwood, MI	43
Suffolk, VA	43
Lewiston, ME	43
Grand Junction, CO	43
Casselberry, FL	43
Apopka, FL	43
Moline, IL	43
Fort Pierce, FL	43
Pittsburg, CA	43
Flagstaff, AZ	43
Olive Branch, MS	42
Castro Valley, CA	42
Mount Pleasant, MI	42
Reynoldsburg, OH	42
Mauldin, SC	42
Elmira, NY	42
Tooele, UT	42
Seguin, TX	42
San Dimas, CA	42
Tucker, GA	42
Pawtucket, RI	42
Miami Beach, FL	42
Linden, NJ	42
Graham, WA	41
Long Branch, NJ	41
Towson, MD	41
Niagara Falls, NY	41
Sunrise, FL	41
West Hollywood, CA	41
Burien, WA	41
Portage, IN	41
Wildwood, MO	41
Utica, NY	41
Allen Park, MI	41
Monrovia, CA	41
La Vergne, TN	41
Xenia, OH	40
Kannapolis, NC	40
Goshen, IN	40
El Mirage, AZ	40
Prescott Valley, AZ	40
Fairbanks, AK	40
Melrose Park, IL	40
San Marcos, TX	40
Champaign, IL	40
Weatherford, TX	40
Carson, CA	40
Soledad, CA	40
Covina, CA	40
Wilkes-Barre, PA	39
Racine, WI	39
Massillon, OH	39
Gladstone, MO	39
Catonsville, MD	39
Cutler Bay, FL	39
Dunwoody, GA	39
Newark, OH	39
Springfield, OR	39
Hilo, HI	39
Grand Island, NE	39
Seaside, CA	39
Belvidere, IL	39
Wildomar, CA	39
Blue Springs, MO	38
La Quinta, CA	38
Suisun City, CA	38
Florissant, MO	38
Fitchburg, MA	38
San Angelo, TX	38
Roseville, MN	38
Caldwell, ID	38
Ridgecrest, CA	38
Fridley, MN	38
Glen Burnie, MD	38
Socorro, TX	38
El Dorado Hills, CA	38
Roseville, MI	37
Margate, FL	37
Winter Haven, FL	37
Menifee, CA	37
Pocatello, ID	37
Rio Rancho, NM	37
Spokane Valley, WA	37
Lodi, CA	37
Converse, TX	37
Merritt Island, FL	37
West Allis, WI	37
New Albany, IN	37
Midvale, UT	37
Baldwin Park, CA	36
Covington, KY	36
Garden City, MI	36
Perth Amboy, NJ	36
Holladay, UT	36
Williamsport, PA	36
Lindenhurst, NY	36
Holbrook, NY	36
Aventura, FL	36
Pico Rivera, CA	36
Spring, TX	36
Clinton, IA	36
Indian Trail, NC	36
Hickory, NC	35
Lawrence, MA	35
Rapid City, SD	35
Ladera Ranch, CA	35
Sierra Vista, AZ	35
Gainesville, GA	35
Mission, TX	35
Summerville, SC	35
Beloit, WI	35
Kenner, LA	35
Southgate, MI	35
Azusa, CA	35
Harrison, NY	35
Pinellas Park, FL	34
Salina, KS	34
Chicopee, MA	34
Fair Oaks, CA	34
Cleburne, TX	34
Ossining, NY	34
Chelsea, MA	34
Estero, FL	34
Wyandotte, MI	34
Temple, TX	34
Kent, OH	34
Titusville, FL	34
New Bedford, MA	34
Imperial Beach, CA	34
St. Cloud, MN	34
Medford, OR	33
Roanoke, VA	33
West Babylon, NY	33
Marshalltown, IA	33
Casper, WY	33
Jamestown, NY	33
Southaven, MS	33
Queen Creek, AZ	33
Rosemead, CA	33
Lebanon, PA	33
Huntington Station, NY	33
Deerfield Beach, FL	33
Yuma, AZ	32
Monterey Park, CA	32
Cedar Hill, TX	32
Northglenn, CO	32
Dearborn, MI	32
Sun City West, AZ	32
Kissimmee, FL	32
Manteca, CA	32
Alhambra, CA	32
Waukegan, IL	32
Chino, CA	32
Orcutt, CA	32
Gardena, CA	32
Rock Island, IL	31
San Luis, AZ	31
Santa Paula, CA	31
Tamarac, FL	31
Brockton, MA	31
Montebello, CA	31
Barberton, OH	31
Commerce City, CO	31
Wesley Chapel, FL	31
Dalton, GA	31
DeSoto, TX	31
Carmichael, CA	31
Mechanicsville, VA	31
Twin Falls, ID	30
Auburn, AL	30
University City, MO	30
Austintown, OH	30
Atascocita, TX	30
Cheektowaga, NY	30
Fremont, NE	30
Hamilton, OH	30
Murray, UT	30
Mount Vernon, NY	30
Canyon Lake, TX	30
Elyria, OH	30
Bryan, TX	30
Hagerstown, MD	29
Cleveland Heights, OH	29
Temple Terrace, FL	29
Owings Mills, MD	29
Carson City, NV	29
San Pablo, CA	29
Port Chester, NY	29
Lemon Grove, CA	29
Owensboro, KY	29
Fayetteville, AR	29
Alvin, TX	29
Brentwood, NY	29
Cathedral City, CA	29
Burlington, IA	29
Fountain, CO	28
Bowling Green, KY	28
Lawndale, CA	28
Perry Hall, MD	28
Brighton, CO	28
Upland, CA	28
Jacksonville, NC	28
Taylor, MI	28
New Britain, CT	28
Cicero, IL	28
Waterloo, IA	28
Lompoc, CA	28
Rock Hill, SC	28
Drexel Hill, PA	27
Reading, PA	27
Toms River, NJ	27
Lemoore, CA	27
Brighton, NY	27
Martinez, GA	27
East Palo Alto, CA	27
Hanford, CA	27
York, PA	27
Oak Ridge, TN	27
Bay Shore, NY	27
Deer Park, NY	27
Manhattan, KS	27
Taylorsville, UT	26
Irondequoit, NY	26
El Centro, CA	26
Edinburg, TX	26
Newnan, GA	26
Pekin, IL	26
Cookeville, TN	26
Ocala, FL	26
Fall River, MA	26
Central, LA	26
Hollister, CA	26
Bay City, MI	26
Zanesville, OH	26
Redding, CA	25
Daytona Beach, FL	25
Middletown, OH	25
Parkville, MD	25
Statesville, NC	25
Lake Elsinore, CA	25
Freeport, NY	25
Bartlett, TN	25
Cabot, AR	25
Williston, ND	25
North Bethesda, MD	25
Westland, MI	25
Lake Havasu City, AZ	25
Richmond, KY	24
Woodburn, OR	24
Clinton, MS	24
Harlingen, TX	24
Clinton, MD	24
Nicholasville, KY	24
Bartlesville, OK	24
San Juan, TX	24
Holt, MI	24
Bay Point, CA	24
Alamogordo, NM	24
Avondale, AZ	24
Pikesville, MD	24
Binghamton, NY	24
Hutchinson, KS	23
Panama City, FL	23
Columbia, TN	23
Union City, NJ	23
Greenville, NC	23
Aloha, OR	23
Yakima, WA	23
Athens, AL	23
Greenville, TX	23
Eagle Pass, TX	23
Oakland Park, FL	23
Springdale, AR	23
Lakewood, WA	23
Enid, OK	22
Hallandale Beach, FL	22
Homewood, AL	22
Benton, AR	22
Grants Pass, OR	22
Del Rio, TX	22
Middle River, MD	22
Texarkana, TX	22
Dearborn Heights, MI	22
Casa Grande, AZ	22
Horn Lake, MS	22
Uniondale, NY	22
DeKalb, IL	22
Port Charlotte, FL	21
Duncanville, TX	21
Calumet City, IL	21
Dodge City, KS	21
North Miami Beach, FL	21
Weslaco, TX	21
Muncie, IN	21
Galesburg, IL	21
Maywood, CA	21
Great Falls, MT	21
Navarre, FL	21
Bellflower, CA	21
Bristol, TN	21
Port Huron, MI	20
Elmont, NY	20
Victoria, TX	20
Parkersburg, WV	20
Wilmington, DE	20
Spanaway, WA	20
Pearl City, HI	20
Hobart, IN	20
Turlock, CA	20
Henderson, KY	20
Palm Harbor, FL	20
Belleville, IL	20
Sherman, TX	20
Leavenworth, KS	19
Scranton, PA	19
National City, CA	19
New Brunswick, NJ	19
Charleston, WV	19
Texas City, TX	19
Midwest City, OK	19
Shirley, NY	19
Longview, TX	19
Youngstown, OH	19
Passaic, NJ	19
Biloxi, MS	19
Kokomo, IN	19
Granite City, IL	18
Yuba City, CA	18
Palm Coast, FL	18
Newburgh, NY	18
Pharr, TX	18
Plainfield, NJ	18
Shaker Heights, OH	18
Chicago Heights, IL	18
Stillwater, OK	18
Decatur, IL	18
Prattville, AL	18
Sherwood, AR	18
Indio, CA	18
East Orange, NJ	18
Johnson City, TN	17
Marion, IN	17
Orangevale, CA	17
Wheeling, WV	17
Haltom City, TX	17
Edgewood, MD	17
Watertown, NY	17
New Bern, NC	17
Mableton, GA	17
Randallstown, MD	17
Monroe, NC	17
Muskegon, MI	17
Warner Robins, GA	17
North Fort Myers, FL	16
Hazelwood, MO	16
Vineland, NJ	16
Waldorf, MD	16
Reisterstown, MD	16
Perris, CA	16
Sun City, AZ	16
Valrico, FL	16
Hemet, CA	16
Lake Charles, LA	16
Battle Creek, MI	16
Calexico, CA	16
Baytown, TX	16
San Jacinto, CA	15
Decatur, AL	15
Gillette, WY	15
Copperas Cove, TX	15
Hacienda Heights, CA	15
Kahului, HI	15
Lorain, OH	15
Paradise, CA	15
Russellville, AR	15
Opelika, AL	15
Eureka, CA	15
Lincoln Park, MI	15
Kalamazoo, MI	15
Thomasville, NC	15
Schererville, IN	14
Ceres, CA	14
Northport, AL	14
Central Islip, NY	14
Marion, OH	14
Essex, MD	14
Rowland Heights, CA	14
Cape Girardeau, MO	14
Conway, AR	14
Eastpointe, MI	14
The Villages, FL	14
Burlington, NC	14
Douglasville, GA	13
Homestead, FL	13
Garden City, KS	13
Holyoke, MA	13
Kingman, AZ	13
Bell, CA	13
Paramount, CA	13
North Lauderdale, FL	13
Huntsville, TX	13
Temescal Valley, CA	13
Hawthorne, CA	13
Watsonville, CA	13
Atwater, CA	13
Richmond, IN	13
Colton, CA	12
Coram, NY	12
Aiken, SC	12
Fallbrook, CA	12
Chamblee, GA	12
Lancaster, TX	12
Lynwood, CA	12
Warren, OH	12
Highland, CA	12
Kingsville, TX	12
Hempstead, NY	12
Burton, MI	12
Lawton, OK	12
Council Bluffs, IA	11
Danville, VA	11
Statesboro, GA	11
Alton, IL	11
Twentynine Palms, CA	11
Hesperia, CA	11
Riverview, FL	11
Citrus Park, FL	11
Tulare, CA	11
Banning, CA	11
Florence, AL	11
Pearl, MS	11
Nacogdoches, TX	11
Raytown, MO	10
Enterprise, AL	10
St. Joseph, MO	10
Myrtle Beach, SC	10
Altadena, CA	10
Marrero, LA	10
Bullhead City, AZ	10
Stockbridge, GA	10
Montclair, CA	10
Hinesville, GA	10
Deltona, FL	10
Lauderhill, FL	10
Brawley, CA	10
Michigan City, IN	9
North Highlands, CA	9
College Park, MD	9
Trenton, NJ	9
Apple Valley, CA	9
Delano, CA	9
Kingsport, TN	9
Coachella, CA	9
Dundalk, MD	9
Jackson, MI	9
Adelanto, CA	9
Land O’ Lakes, FL	9
Wilson, NC	9
Lima, OH	8
Mansfield, OH	8
Atlantic City, NJ	8
Greenacres, FL	8
Dover, DE	8
Carlsbad, NM	8
Fort Smith, AR	8
Millville, NJ	8
Balch Springs, TX	8
Salisbury, NC	8
Asheboro, NC	8
Hattiesburg, MS	8
Madera, CA	8
Valdosta, GA	8
Sanford, NC	7
Anderson, IN	7
North Miami, FL	7
Grandview, MO	7
Tupelo, MS	7
Shawnee, OK	7
Merced, CA	7
Hammond, IN	7
Gastonia, NC	7
Porterville, CA	7
Houma, LA	7
Joplin, MO	7
Los Banos, CA	7
Garfield Heights, OH	6
Jonesboro, AR	6
Springfield, OH	6
Cleveland, TN	6
Lansing, IL	6
Rome, GA	6
Gulfport, MS	6
Tuscaloosa, AL	6
South Gate, CA	6
Lake Worth Beach, FL	6
Chester, PA	6
Riviera Beach, FL	6
Bell Gardens, CA	6
Starkville, MS	5
Clovis, NM	5
Hopkinsville, KY	5
Desert Hot Springs, CA	5
Carrollton, GA	5
East Chicago, IN	5
East St. Louis, IL	5
Lufkin, TX	5
Huntington Park, CA	5
Dania Beach, FL	5
Terre Haute, IN	5
Huntington, WV	5
Flint, MI	5
Big Spring, TX	4
Reedley, CA	4
Kendall, FL	4
Carbondale, IL	4
Lauderdale Lakes, FL	4
Elkhart, IN	4
Pueblo West, CO	4
Euclid, OH	4
Salisbury, MD	4
Saginaw, MI	4
Jackson, TN	4
Pontiac, MI	4
North Little Rock, AR	4
Roswell, NM	3
Bossier City, LA	3
Compton, CA	3
Canton, OH	3
Dothan, AL	3
Anderson, SC	3
Kankakee, IL	3
Waipahu, HI	3
Portsmouth, VA	3
Morristown, TN	3
Phenix City, AL	3
Goldsboro, NC	3
Hobbs, NM	3
Spartanburg, SC	3
Meridian, MS	2
Farmington, NM	2
Lakewood, NJ	2
Texarkana, AR	2
Hot Springs, AR	2
Paragould, AR	2
Spring Valley, NY	2
Muskogee, OK	2
Port Arthur, TX	2
Immokalee, FL	2
Camden, NJ	2
Rocky Mount, NC	2
LaGrange, GA	2
Gary, IN	1
Pahrump, NV	1
Jacksonville, AR	1
Danville, IL	1
New Iberia, LA	1
Petersburg, VA	1
Sumter, SC	1
Florence, SC	1
Gadsden, AL	1
Wasco, CA	1
Albany, GA	1
East Point, GA	1
Greenville, MS	1
Isla Vista, CA	1
Monroe, LA	1
Alexandria, LA	1
West Memphis, AR	1
Fort Hood, TX	1
Pine Bluff, AR	1
Bessemer, AL	1

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Best Small Cities to Live in America

Percentile*	City	Total Score	Affordability	Economic Health	Education & Health	Quality of Life	Safety
99	Lancaster, PA	71.04	800	215	659	10	59
99	Carmel, IN	70.91	30	36	197	273	27
99	Fair Lawn, NJ	70.59	136	130	29	888	29
99	Lexington, MA	70.58	405	68	4	208	7
99	Brentwood, TN	70.57	34	74	169	340	97
99	Melrose, MA	70.42	413	78	10	715	22
99	Zionsville, IN	69.9	3	145	177	836	103
99	Needham, MA	69.88	161	165	20	537	26
99	Portland, ME	69.82	1056	454	58	13	380
99	Westfield, IN	69.8	41	128	236	822	37
99	Milton, MA	69.72	140	427	27	674	12
99	Sammamish, WA	69.7	183	89	75	1164	30
99	Dublin, OH	69.31	10	92	719	189	131
99	Brookfield, WI	69.23	91	224	70	294	270
99	Leawood, KS	69.06	6	81	105	851	194
99	Apex, NC	68.93	38	20	206	586	164
99	Arlington, MA	68.92	750	352	8	222	8
99	Burlington, MA	68.85	367	27	11	488	85
99	Newton, MA	68.83	680	150	7	338	14
98	Princeton, NJ	68.71	596	114	255	84	60
98	Redmond, WA	68.71	604	9	81	113	374
98	Randolph, MA	68.58	696	456	53	1156	275
98	Ridgewood, NJ	68.56	262	66	24	947	15
98	Leesburg, VA	68.53	211	334	39	185	181
98	Saratoga Springs, NY	68.46	751	119	101	51	376
98	Fishers, IN	68.42	25	305	198	618	35
98	Castle Rock, CO	68.38	103	167	48	451	185
98	Wake Forest, NC	68.36	68	13	260	501	286
98	Medford, MA	68.35	888	23	16	437	80
98	Reading, MA	68.33	171	654	6	1088	9

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Note: *99 = Best
With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Housing Costs

Lowest

• 1. Southlake, TX
• 2. Marion, IA
• 3. Urbandale, IA
• 4. Wildwood, MO
• 5. Granger, IN

Highest

• 1315. Beverly Hills, CA
• 1316. Santa Barbara, CA
• 1317. Lakewood, NJ
• 1318. San Luis Obispo, CA
• 1319. Isla Vista, CA

Homeownership Rate

Highest

• 1. West Islip, NY
• 2. Colleyville, TX
• 3. The Villages, FL
• 4. Granger, IN
• 5. Southlake, TX

Lowest

• 1315. Union City, NJ
• 1316. West Hollywood, CA
• 1317. New Brunswick, NJ
• 1318. Fort Hood, TX
• 1319. Isla Vista, CA

Best City vs. Worst City: 98x Difference

West Islip, NY vs. Isla Vista, CA

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Ask the Experts

Living in a small city can be fulfilling, but it comes with challenges as well. We asked a panel of experts in fields such as urban development and public safety to share their thoughts on the pros and cons of small-city life and how to make these areas more attractive to prospective residents. Click on the experts’ profiles below to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What are the most important financial factors to consider when deciding where to live?
2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of living in a small city versus a large city?
3. In evaluating the best small cities to live in, what are the top five indicators?
4. Will small cities grow in popularity following the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic?
5. What can local policymakers do to attract and retain new residents in small cities?

Sonia Hirt
Dean, Hughes Professor in Landscape Architecture and Planning, College of Environment + Design – University of Georgia
READ MORE

Nicholas Finio
Ph.D. – Associate Director and Assistant Research Professor, National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education – University of Maryland, College Park
READ MORE

Elizabeth C. Delmelle
Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Department of City & Regional Planning; Director, Master of Urban Spatial Analytics – University of Pennsylvania
READ MORE

Protip Biswas
Vice President, Homelessness – United Way of Greater Atlanta and Part-Time Lecturer, School of City & Regional Planning – Georgia Institute of Technology
READ MORE

Methodology

In order to determine the best small cities in America, WalletHub compared 1,319 cities across five key dimensions: 1) Affordability, 2) Economic Health, 3) Education & Health, 4) Quality of Life and 5) Safety. For our sample, we selected cities with population sizes between 25,000 and 100,000 and considered only the “city proper” in each case, excluding cities in the surrounding metro area.

We then evaluated the five dimensions using 43 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for small-city residents. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the state level only. For metrics marked with two asterisks (**), we calculated population size using the square root of the population in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Affordability – Total Points: 20

• Median Household Income: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Cost of Living: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Homeownership Rate: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Housing Costs: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
  Note: This composite metric consists of:
  • Median Home Price / Median Annual Household Income
  • Median Annual Gross Rent / Median Annual Household Income
• Share of Households with Severe Housing Cost Burden: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)

Economic Health – Total Points: 20

• Population Growth: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Income Growth: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Job Growth: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Share of Population Living in Poverty: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Debt per Median Earnings: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Foreclosure Rate: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Share of People Who Had a Bankruptcy in the Past 12 Months: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Median Credit Score: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)

Education & Health – Total Points: 20

• School-System Quality*: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
  Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “States with the Best & Worst School Systems” ranking.
• High School Graduation Rate: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
• Share of Adults Aged 25 & Older with a High School Diploma or Higher: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
• Percentage of Residents Who Are Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19: Double Weight (~3.33 Points)
• Share of Insured Population: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
• Premature-Death Rate: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
• Share of Adults in Poor or Fair Health: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
• Share of Live Births with Low Birthweight: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
• Share of Obese Adults: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
• Share of Physically Inactive Adults: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
• Limited Access to Healthy Foods: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
  Note: “Limited Access to Healthy Foods” refers to the share of population that is low income and does not live close to a grocery store.

Quality of Life – Total Points: 20

• Average Commute Time: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Share of Population Who Walk to Work: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Average Weekly Work Hours: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Number of Attractions: Double Weight (~2.50 Points)
• Restaurants per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Bars per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Clubs per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Coffee Shops per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Movie Theaters per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Museums per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Performing Arts Centers per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Fitness Centers per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Bike Rental Facilities per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Parks per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
• Department Stores per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)

Safety – Total Points: 20

• Violent-Crime Rate: Double Weight (~8.00 Points)
• Property-Crime Rate: Double Weight (~8.00 Points)
• Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths per Capita: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)

 
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Areavibes, TransUnion, TripAdvisor, County Health Rankings, Yelp, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, ATTOM Data Solutions (RealtyTrac) and WalletHub research.