10 Best Small Cities to Live in America

For the Second Year in a Row, Carmel, Indiana, is the Best Small City in America

According to WalletHub, Carmel, Indiana, has been rated the best small city in America for the second year in a row. The report graded the nation’s more than 1,300 cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 on five categories: Affordability, Economic Health, Education and Health, Quality of Life, and Safety.

The Criteria for Ranking

The cities were scored from one to 100, based on data from several sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Carmel’s Qualities

The Indianapolis suburb held onto the No. 1 spot thanks in part to its median annual household income of nearly $133,000 and median credit score of 775. Its 3% unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country. Residents of Carmel spend only about 14% of their income on rent, the 33rd-lowest in the country.

Why People Love Carmel

“As a suburb of Indianapolis, Carmel offers an affordable place to live near the city,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says. “You get all the amenities of the big city without facing the big city living.”

The Top 10 Small Cities to Live in America

The report found that 31% of Americans prefer to live in the suburbs, while 16% prefer urban areas and 24% like rural communities. The majority of the top 10 small cities are located in the Midwest, with most of them being suburbs of larger metropolitan areas.

Other Top Cities

Here are the top 10 best small cities to live in America:

* Carmel, Indiana (70.99/100)
* Brookfield, Wisconsin (70.4/100)
* Lexington, Massachusetts (70.23/100)
* Fishers, Indiana (70.21/100)
* Appleton, Wisconsin (70.5/100)
* Apex, North Carolina (69.72/100)
* Brentwood, Tennessee (69.54/100)
* Lancaster, Pennsylvania (69.5/100)
* Bozeman, Montana (69.18/100)
* Westfield, Indiana (69.14/100)

Brookfield, Wisconsin’s Qualities

Brookfield, Wisconsin, was ranked the second-best small city to live in America. According to the report, only 3% of the city’s population lives in poverty — the 10th-lowest percentage among all the places ranked. In addition to providing a stable economy for residents, over 98% of the Milwaukee suburb’s population has health insurance, the 11th-highest percentage in the nation, and the city has a 96% homeownership rate.

Conclusion

The report highlights the importance of balance in urban planning, as people strive for a balance between affordability, economic stability, and quality of life. With the exception of Lexington, Massachusetts, most of the small cities ranked are more affordable than their neighboring big cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the criteria for ranking the best small cities in America?

A: The cities are scored based on five categories: Affordability, Economic Health, Education and Health, Quality of Life, and Safety.

Q: What are the top 10 small cities to live in America?

A: The top 10 small cities are Carmel, Indiana, Brookfield, Wisconsin, Lexington, Massachusetts, Fishers, Indiana, Appleton, Wisconsin, Apex, North Carolina, Brentwood, Tennessee, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Bozeman, Montana, and Westfield, Indiana.

Q: Why do people prefer to live in the suburbs?

A: 31% of Americans prefer to live in the suburbs, citing the desire for an affordable place to live near the city but with fewer crowds.