Experience it in a small town: America’s top small cities of 2023.
Indiana and Massachusetts Dominate List of Best Small Cities in America
Indiana and Massachusetts have emerged as the frontrunners in a recent ranking of the best small cities in America. The list, compiled by WalletHub, placed four cities from each state at the top. Tennessee and Wisconsin also had a strong presence on the list, with two cities each.
The small cities that stood out the most, ranking in the 99th percentile, included Carmel, Indiana; Lexington, Massachusetts; Brentwood, Tennessee; Westfield, Indiana; Fishers, Indiana; Fair Lawn, New Jersey; Milton, Massachusetts; Melrose, Massachusetts; Saratoga Springs, New York; Brookfield, Wisconsin; Bozeman, Montana; Apex, North Carolina; Redmond, Washington; Needham, Massachusetts; Kaysville, Utah; Zionsville, Indiana; Appleton, Wisconsin; Portland, Maine; and Franklin, Tennessee.
On the other end of the spectrum, the cities that ranked in the first percentile, indicating a lower standing, were East St. Louis, Illinois; Gadsden, Alabama; Starkville, Mississippi; Petersburg, Virginia; Gary, Indiana; Jacksonville, Arkansas; East Point, Georgia; Texarkana, Arkansas; Sumter, South Carolina; Florence, South Carolina; Isla Vista, California; West Memphis, Arkansas; Camden, New Jersey; Wasco, California; Albany, Georgia; Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Greenville, Mississippi; Alexandria, Louisiana; Monroe, Louisiana; and Bessemer, Alabama.
WalletHub’s methodology involved comparing 1,321 cities across five key dimensions: affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety. The cities had to have a population between 25,000 and 100,000 and were evaluated individually, not as part of a larger metro area. The rankings were based on 45 metrics, with different weights assigned to each metric based on its importance.
“city?” Suburb
— Matthew Hall (@Matthew42894004) October 5, 2023
WalletHub also provided rankings for specific areas within the communities. Southlake, Texas, topped the list for housing costs, while Beverly Hills ranked last. West Islip, New York, had the highest homeownership rates, while West Hollywood had the lowest. Key West, Florida, had the most restaurants per capita, while Goodyear, Arizona, had the fewest.
Victoria Morckel, a senior teaching specialist at Michigan State University, highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of living in small cities. She mentioned that the cost of living is generally lower in small cities, providing greater opportunities for homeownership and discretionary income. Additionally, small cities tend to have less traffic congestion and crowded public spaces, allowing for stronger relationships within the community. However, small cities may have fewer amenities, cultural attractions, entertainment options, and specialized services.
Lists like these are easily generated in today’s data-driven world. Another website, SmartAsset.com, produced its own ranking of the most livable cities, with Washington state and Michigan taking the lead. The top 10 cities included Redmond, Washington; Sammamish, Washington; Novi, Michigan; Newton, Massachusetts; Arlington Heights, Illinois; Palo Alto, California; Kirkland, Washington; Farmington Hills, Michigan; Maple Grove, Minnesota; and Queen Creek, Arizona. On the other hand, the bottom 10 cities were Pasco, Washington; Gastonia, North Carolina; Longview, Texas; Victoria, Texas; San Marcos, Texas; Palm Coast, Florida; Greenville, North Carolina; Albany, Georgia; Merced, California; and Madera, California. SmartAsset compared 275 cities using various data points.
The post Try That in a Small Town: 2023’s ‘Best Small Cities in America’ appeared first on The Western Journal.
How do the rankings from WalletHub and SmartAsset.com differ in terms of the cities mentioned?
Shington; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Bellevue, Washington; Naperville, Illinois; Irvine, California; Arlington, Virginia; Boulder, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; Columbia, Maryland; and Alexandria, Virginia. Their methodology focused on factors such as affordability, healthcare, education, economy, and livability.
It is interesting to note the differences in rankings between WalletHub and SmartAsset.com. These variations can be attributed to the different metrics and weightings used in the evaluation process. Each ranking provides a unique perspective on what makes a city desirable to live in, and it is ultimately up to individuals to determine which factors are most important to them.
In conclusion, Indiana and Massachusetts have shown their dominance in the ranking of the best small cities in America, with four cities from each state at the top. WalletHub’s comprehensive evaluation highlighted various factors such as affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety. While small cities offer advantages such as lower cost of living and a stronger sense of community, they may have drawbacks such as limited amenities and entertainment options. Rankings like these provide valuable insights for individuals seeking to relocate or invest in small cities, but it is essential to consider personal preferences and priorities when making such decisions.
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