A sign thanking residents is posted in the old Thorpe's Pharmacy building at Church and John streets on Monday, June 30, 2025, in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)
WalletHub has released its list of the best small towns in America.
By the numbers:
According to researchers, nearly half of Americans say the suburbs are their ideal place to live, with 47% preferring suburban communities over urban (24%) or rural (23%) areas, according to recent findings.
Methodology:
To determine the best small cities in America, WalletHub conducted a comprehensive study of 1,318 communities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000.
The analysis focused strictly on "city proper" populations, excluding surrounding metro areas, and measured performance across five key dimensions: affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety.
Each category was evaluated using 45 metrics, graded on a 100-point scale, with higher scores reflecting more favorable living conditions.
What they're saying:
"Moving from a bustling metropolis to a small city could drastically cut down your cost of living," analyst Chip Lupo said online. "On top of that, the best small cities offer strong job markets, high-quality education, good health care, safe living conditions and plenty of local flair to help you achieve a high quality of life. While small cities may lack some advantages of big cities, like robust public transportation systems, they make up for these shortcomings in other areas."
Best cities in America
Dig deeper:
Carmel, Ind.
Carmel, Indiana, ranks as the best small city to live in, thanks to a combination of strong economic performance, health outcomes, and safety.
The city boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation at 3.3%, alongside relatively affordable housing, with rent accounting for just 14% of the median household income. Households also earn a median annual income of nearly $135,000, placing Carmel in the top 10% of cities studied.
These favorable conditions contribute to a high median credit score of 775—among the top 20 nationwide. Beyond finances, Carmel stands out for well-being, with the 11th-lowest share of adults in poor health, one of the lowest premature death rates, and exceptionally safe streets, reflected in the third-lowest pedestrian fatality rate in the country.
Brookfield, Wisc.
Brookfield, Wisconsin, takes the second spot, driven by low unemployment and poverty levels. With a jobless rate of just 2.7% and only 3.5% of its population living in poverty, the city demonstrates strong economic stability.
Residents benefit from a high homeownership rate and excellent financial health, as reflected in a median credit score of 782—the 10th-highest in the nation.
Brookfield also ranks well for overall health, with one of the lowest shares of residents reporting poor health and one of the highest rates of health insurance coverage, at over 98%. Leisure time is also a priority, as the city reports one of the lowest percentages of adults with no free time.
Safety further enhances its appeal, with Brookfield recording the 17th-lowest pedestrian fatality rate and a comparatively low violent crime rate.
Apex, N.C.
Apex, North Carolina, comes in third, combining strong economic growth with quality of life.
The city enjoys the 12th-lowest unemployment rate and has one of the lowest poverty levels nationwide, along with the 20th-highest rate of employment growth.
Household incomes average more than $138,000 annually, and the city’s median credit score of 770 reflects residents’ financial strength.
Apex also shines in education, ranking 32nd nationally for its school system and 14th for high school completion rates. Health outcomes are another strong point, with a relatively low share of adults in poor health and access to fitness facilities that support an active lifestyle.
Coupled with the 56th-lowest violent crime rate in the nation, Apex stands out as a safe, prosperous, and family-friendly community.
The Source: The information in this story comes from a WalletHub study that evaluated 1,318 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000. This story was reported from Los Angeles.