An image of the Portland, Maine skyline at dusk
Portland, Maine.
  • Personal-finance company Wallethub has identified the best small cities in America.
  • It compared 1,321 cities across five key metrics, including affordability and quality of life.
  • The list is dominated by cities in the Midwest and South, particularly in Massachusetts and Indiana.

Tucked away from major metropolises, small towns offer residents an escape from the frenetic pace of urban life. Though they may lack the cosmopolitan flair of larger cities, like an abundance of restaurants and entertainment, they compensate with other crucial factors, including lower housing costs.

Wallethub has released an annual report that ranks the best small cities in America. The personal-finance company compared 1,321 small US cities — those with population sizes between 25,000 and 100,000 — across five key metrics: affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety. 

These are the 20 best small cities in the US, according to Wallethub. Insider included the median home sale price for each city as of August, utilizing data from Redfin, and population figures derived from the latest Census data, unless noted otherwise.

20. Arlington, Massachusetts
a lake view of Arlington, Massachusetts.
Arlington, Massachusetts.
  • Median housing cost: $976,000
  • Population: 45,522
19. Franklin, Tennessee
A town center in Franklin, Tennessee.
Franklin, Tennessee.
  • Median home sale price: $767,500
  • Population: 86,895
18. Portland, Maine
An image of the Portland, Maine skyline at dusk
Portland, Maine.
  • Median home sale price: $550,000
  • Population: 68,424
17. Appleton, Wisconsin
A low city next to a river at dusk.
Green Bay, Wisconsin, pictured here, is a 38-minute drive from Appleton.
  • Median home sale price: $279, 250
  • Population: 74,511
16. Zionsville, Indiana
Indianapolis Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana, pictured here, is a 27-minute drive from Zionsville.
  • Median home sale price: $653,000
  • Population: 31,982
15. Kaysville, Utah
Kaysville, Utah
Kaysville, Utah.
  • Median home sale price: $629,525
  • Population: 32,761
14. Needham, Massachusetts
A standing clock on the side of a small town road.
Wellesley, Massachusetts, pictured here, borders Needham.
  • Median home sale price: $1,691,000
  • Population: 32,091* (Pulled from 2020 census data, the most recently available)
13. Redmond, Washington
Aerial view of Redmond Town Centre buildings
Redmond, Washington.
  • Median home sale price: $1,281,000
  • Population: 76,732
12. Apex, North Carolina
A home in Apex, North Carolina
Apex, North Carolina.
  • Median home sale price: $587,000
  • Population: 71,065
11. Bozeman, Montana
Aerial view of downtown Bozeman with mountains in the distance.
Bozeman, Montana.
  • Median home sale price $715,000
  • Population: 56,123
10. Brookfield, Wisconsin
Welcome sigh to Brookfield, Wisconsin
Brookfield, Wisconsin.
  • Median home sale price: $435,000
  • Population: 41,958

9. Saratoga Springs, New York
A night view of a town square in Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, New York.
  • Median home sale price: $712,500
  • Population: 28,593
8. Melrose, Massachusetts
Melrose Massachusetts
Melrose, Massachusetts.
  • Median home sale price: $890,000
  • Population: 29,155
7. Milton, Massachusetts
boston acorn street
Boston, Massachusetts, pictured here, is a 20-minute drive from Milton.
  • Median home sale price: $956,000
  • Population: 28,364
6. Fair Lawn, New Jersey
A waterfall with a suspension bridge over it.
Paterson, New Jersey, pictured here, borders Fair Lawn and is a 20-minute drive from New York City.
  • Median home sale price: $687,500 
  • Population: 35,279
5. Fishers, Indiana
Fishers, Indiana
Fishers, Indiana.
  • Median home sale price: $396,000
  • Population: 101,966
4. Westfield, Indiana
Water tower in the city of westfield
Westfield, Indiana.
  • Median home sale price: $450,238 
  • Population: 54,605
3. Brentwood, Tennessee
Brentwood, TN
Brentwood, Tennessee.
  • Median home sale price: $1,251,200 
  • Population: 45,136
2. Lexington, Massachusetts
A home in Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington, Massachusetts.
  • Median home sale price: $1,718,500
  • Population: 34,074
1. Carmel, Indiana
Ariel view of Carmel, Indiana
Carmel, Indiana.
  • Median home sale price: $502,000 
  • Population: 101,964
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