Where Would You Want To Live And Raise Your Family?
Whether you are looking for a place to live or voting for a mayor, the numbers tell the story of how well that city (or rather the people running it) are doing. Are they doing good or bad job?
Thanks to the folks at WalletHub, you will find below a detailed breakout that will both excite and alarm you. When you look at a place to live, you might want to check out the infant mortality, you learn everything you need to know.
The good news is we can vote in people who will put infant mortality high on the list. A better informed electorate results in better government which may result in a better quality of life for its residents, right?
Running a city is a tall order. The larger the city, the more complex it becomes to manage. In addition to representing the residents, local leaders must balance the public’s diverse interests with the city’s limited resources. That often means not everyone’s needs can or will be met. Leaders must carefully consider which services are most essential, which agencies’ budgets to cut or boost and whether and how much to raise taxes, among other decisions.
When looking for a place to live; check out the local leadership. But how do we measure the effectiveness of local leadership? One way is by determining a city’s operating efficiency. In other words, we can learn how well city officials manage and spend public funds by comparing the quality of services residents receive against the city’s total budget.
Using that approach, WalletHub compared the operating efficiency of 150 of the largest U.S. cities to reveal which among them are managed best. We constructed a “Quality of Services” score made up of 35 metrics grouped into six service categories, which we then measured against the city’s per-capita budget. Read on for our findings, expert insight and a full description of our methodology.
Best-Run Cities in America
Overall Rank (1=Best) | City | ‘Quality of City Services’ Rank | ‘Total Budget per Capita’ Rank |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Nampa, ID | 70 | 1 |
2 | Provo, UT | 9 | 2 |
3 | Boise, ID | 5 | 3 |
4 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | 63 | 4 |
5 | Missoula, MT | 80 | 5 |
6 | Sioux Falls, SD | 4 | 18 |
7 | Durham, NC | 26 | 12 |
8 | Lewiston, ME | 38 | 8 |
9 | Nashua, NH | 2 | 30 |
10 | Oklahoma City, OK | 66 | 9 |
11 | Las Cruces, NM | 85 | 6 |
12 | Greensboro, NC | 32 | 15 |
13 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 22 | 21 |
14 | Huntington Beach, CA | 1 | 52 |
15 | Billings, MT | 49 | 14 |
16 | Raleigh, NC | 20 | 28 |
17 | Rapid City, SD | 73 | 11 |
18 | Fort Wayne, IN | 59 | 13 |
19 | Fargo, ND | 7 | 40 |
20 | Virginia Beach, VA | 3 | 46 |
21 | Aurora, IL | 28 | 31 |
22 | Bismarck, ND | 6 | 53 |
23 | Lincoln, NE | 12 | 47 |
24 | Columbus, GA | 121 | 7 |
25 | Arlington, TX | 53 | 23 |
26 | Manchester, NH | 33 | 34 |
27 | Mesa, AZ | 57 | 22 |
28 | Salem, OR | 56 | 24 |
29 | Chesapeake, VA | 24 | 44 |
30 | Louisville, KY | 86 | 19 |
31 | Albuquerque, NM | 123 | 10 |
32 | Warwick, RI | 39 | 36 |
33 | Madison, WI | 10 | 59 |
34 | Salt Lake City, UT | 31 | 41 |
35 | Warren, MI | 91 | 20 |
36 | Grand Rapids, MI | 42 | 43 |
37 | Phoenix, AZ | 43 | 42 |
38 | Huntington, WV | 120 | 16 |
39 | Tucson, AZ | 104 | 27 |
40 | El Paso, TX | 44 | 51 |
41 | Portland, ME | 17 | 67 |
42 | St. Petersburg, FL | 69 | 48 |
43 | Tulsa, OK | 111 | 26 |
44 | Topeka, KS | 115 | 25 |
45 | Fort Worth, TX | 60 | 53 |
46 | Charleston, SC | 23 | 68 |
47 | Corpus Christi, TX | 81 | 49 |
48 | Mobile, AL | 116 | 32 |
49 | Aurora, CO | 37 | 63 |
50 | Worcester, MA | 61 | 58 |
51 | Reno, NV | 101 | 39 |
52 | Wichita, KS | 124 | 33 |
53 | Santa Ana, CA | 35 | 69 |
54 | Des Moines, IA | 46 | 64 |
55 | Spokane, WA | 55 | 62 |
56 | Little Rock, AR | 119 | 37 |
57 | Fort Smith, AR | 128 | 35 |
58 | Portland, OR | 19 | 91 |
59 | Eugene, OR | 41 | 75 |
60 | Las Vegas, NV | 77 | 66 |
61 | Gary, IN | 142 | 17 |
62 | San Diego, CA | 15 | 93 |
63 | Rutland, VT | 25 | 83 |
64 | Dover, DE | 103 | 57 |
65 | St. Paul, MN | 27 | 87 |
66 | Frederick, MD | 14 | 99 |
67 | Columbia, SC | 122 | 55 |
68 | Fremont, CA | 11 | 102 |
69 | Springfield, MA | 108 | 60 |
70 | Columbus, OH | 84 | 70 |
71 | Fairbanks, AK | 96 | 65 |
72 | Montgomery, AL | 131 | 45 |
73 | Austin, TX | 8 | 107 |
74 | Charleston, WV | 125 | 56 |
75 | Anchorage, AK | 54 | 78 |
76 | Houston, TX | 89 | 71 |
77 | Baton Rouge, LA | 139 | 38 |
78 | Dayton, OH | 94 | 72 |
79 | Casper, WY | 50 | 83 |
80 | Omaha, NE | 58 | 81 |
81 | Boston, MA | 16 | 106 |
82 | Tallahassee, FL | 64 | 92 |
83 | Hialeah, FL | 92 | 79 |
84 | San Jose, CA | 13 | 117 |
85 | Indianapolis, IN | 110 | 76 |
86 | Norfolk, VA | 113 | 77 |
87 | Anaheim, CA | 30 | 109 |
88 | Akron, OH | 95 | 82 |
89 | Orlando, FL | 52 | 104 |
90 | Minneapolis, MN | 34 | 108 |
91 | Shreveport, LA | 143 | 50 |
92 | Jacksonville, FL | 99 | 88 |
93 | Miami, FL | 71 | 100 |
94 | Colorado Springs, CO | 62 | 105 |
95 | Dallas, TX | 83 | 97 |
96 | Kansas City, MO | 93 | 94 |
97 | Bridgeport, CT | 117 | 80 |
98 | Tampa, FL | 45 | 114 |
99 | San Antonio, TX | 48 | 111 |
100 | Providence, RI | 130 | 73 |
101 | Jackson, MS | 149 | 29 |
102 | Milwaukee, WI | 114 | 85 |
103 | Bakersfield, CA | 106 | 96 |
104 | Pittsburgh, PA | 68 | 113 |
105 | Seattle, WA | 18 | 130 |
106 | Toledo, OH | 145 | 61 |
107 | Charlotte, NC | 29 | 129 |
108 | Lubbock, TX | 107 | 98 |
109 | Burlington, VT | 40 | 124 |
110 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 67 | 120 |
111 | Nashville, TN | 102 | 101 |
112 | Garland, TX | 78 | 115 |
113 | New Orleans, LA | 126 | 95 |
114 | Fresno, CA | 134 | 86 |
115 | Birmingham, AL | 135 | 90 |
116 | Riverside, CA | 75 | 127 |
117 | Cincinnati, OH | 98 | 119 |
118 | Buffalo, NY | 88 | 125 |
119 | Stockton, CA | 146 | 74 |
120 | Richmond, VA | 112 | 118 |
121 | Sacramento, CA | 82 | 131 |
122 | Kansas City, KS | 127 | 112 |
123 | Modesto, CA | 109 | 123 |
124 | New Haven, CT | 136 | 103 |
125 | Knoxville, TN | 76 | 134 |
126 | Syracuse, NY | 100 | 132 |
127 | Rochester, NY | 74 | 135 |
128 | Wilmington, DE | 132 | 116 |
129 | Long Beach, CA | 51 | 140 |
130 | Baltimore, MD | 140 | 110 |
131 | Denver, CO | 65 | 139 |
132 | Cheyenne, WY | 79 | 138 |
133 | Yonkers, NY | 47 | 143 |
134 | Philadelphia, PA | 138 | 125 |
135 | Memphis, TN | 141 | 122 |
136 | St. Louis, MO | 148 | 89 |
137 | Atlanta, GA | 105 | 137 |
138 | Los Angeles, CA | 72 | 144 |
139 | Tacoma, WA | 97 | 141 |
140 | Chicago, IL | 137 | 136 |
141 | Hartford, CT | 129 | 142 |
142 | Cleveland, OH | 144 | 133 |
143 | Flint, MI | 147 | 128 |
144 | Chattanooga, TN | 118 | 146 |
145 | Oakland, CA | 87 | 147 |
146 | Gulfport, MS | 133 | 145 |
147 | San Francisco, CA | 21 | 149 |
148 | New York, NY | 36 | 148 |
149 | Detroit, MI | 150 | 121 |
150 | Washington, DC | 90 | 150 |
Detailed Breakdown by City
‘Quality of City Services’ Rank* (Score) |
City | ‘Financial Stability’ Rank | ‘Education’ Rank | ‘Health’ Rank | ‘Safety’ Rank | ‘Economy’ Rank | ‘Infrastructure & Pollution’ Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 (71.19) |
Huntington Beach, CA | 28 | 1 | 6 | 19 | 8 | 137 |
2 (67.39) |
Nashua, NH | 43 | 25 | 17 | 2 | 12 | 108 |
3 (66.68) |
Virginia Beach, VA | 10 | 29 | 61 | 6 | 29 | 65 |
4 (66.59) |
Sioux Falls, SD | 26 | 17 | 19 | 28 | 4 | 69 |
5 (66.50) |
Boise, ID | 13 | 75 | 25 | 8 | 6 | 54 |
6 (66.48) |
Bismarck, ND | 20 | 64 | 9 | 23 | 9 | 41 |
7 (66.17) |
Fargo, ND | 49 | 11 | 23 | 14 | 11 | 27 |
8 (66.09) |
Austin, TX | 30 | 4 | 21 | 60 | 2 | 43 |
9 (65.91) |
Provo, UT | 16 | 37 | 63 | 7 | 25 | 57 |
10 (65.07) |
Madison, WI | 7 | 45 | 37 | 15 | 46 | 73 |
11 (64.98) |
Fremont, CA | 98 | 3 | 14 | 18 | 1 | 126 |
12 (63.69) |
Lincoln, NE | 14 | 71 | 30 | 12 | 32 | 93 |
13 (63.42) |
San Jose, CA | 69 | 30 | 3 | 40 | 3 | 119 |
14 (63.42) |
Frederick, MD | 38 | 5 | 31 | 21 | 61 | 117 |
15 (63.29) |
San Diego, CA | 90 | 8 | 12 | 34 | 47 | 28 |
16 (63.19) |
Boston, MA | 4 | 147 | 38 | 13 | 67 | 18 |
17 (62.98) |
Portland, ME | 35 | 36 | 55 | 17 | 73 | 16 |
18 (62.89) |
Seattle, WA | 34 | 48 | 10 | 88 | 16 | 31 |
19 (62.64) |
Portland, OR | 24 | 77 | 24 | 77 | 42 | 4 |
20 (62.23) |
Raleigh, NC | 15 | 63 | 45 | 37 | 27 | 50 |
21 (62.17) |
San Francisco, CA | 57 | 83 | 1 | 95 | 20 | 22 |
22 (62.05) |
Cedar Rapids, IA | 31 | 57 | 56 | 46 | 14 | 70 |
23 (61.99) |
Charleston, SC | 22 | 65 | 44 | 57 | 50 | 24 |
24 (61.36) |
Chesapeake, VA | 19 | 35 | 106 | 20 | 15 | 115 |
25 (61.07) |
Rutland, VT | 11 | 22 | 26 | 11 | 108 | 5 |
26 (60.82) |
Durham, NC | 6 | 62 | 35 | 72 | 51 | 118 |
27 (60.73) |
St. Paul, MN | 29 | 133 | 57 | 22 | 70 | 26 |
28 (60.28) |
Aurora, IL | 64 | 20 | 32 | 4 | 92 | 123 |
29 (60.14) |
Charlotte, NC | 17 | 21 | 80 | 71 | 28 | 104 |
30 (59.68) |
Anaheim, CA | 99 | 14 | 4 | 32 | 68 | 141 |
31 (59.65) |
Salt Lake City, UT | 12 | 101 | 43 | 135 | 7 | 33 |
32 (59.50) |
Greensboro, NC | 5 | 13 | 126 | 61 | 81 | 92 |
33 (59.39) |
Manchester, NH | 100 | 76 | 15 | 31 | 59 | 71 |
34 (58.94) |
Minneapolis, MN | 59 | 139 | 28 | 66 | 58 | 6 |
35 (58.73) |
Santa Ana, CA | 81 | 19 | 5 | 30 | 72 | 142 |
36 (58.50) |
New York, NY | 119 | 118 | 20 | 5 | 123 | 14 |
37 (58.29) |
Aurora, CO | 46 | 114 | 34 | 39 | 17 | 131 |
38 (58.24) |
Lewiston, ME | 61 | 113 | 75 | 26 | 65 | 29 |
39 (58.11) |
Warwick, RI | 112 | 93 | 68 | 3 | 33 | 110 |
40 (58.11) |
Burlington, VT | 131 | 59 | 2 | 9 | 88 | 11 |
41 (58.04) |
Eugene, OR | 27 | 140 | 58 | 84 | 76 | 2 |
42 (57.99) |
Grand Rapids, MI | 72 | 78 | 73 | 27 | 69 | 80 |
43 (57.92) |
Phoenix, AZ | 44 | 98 | 51 | 82 | 34 | 64 |
44 (57.76) |
El Paso, TX | 74 | 42 | 33 | 16 | 82 | 109 |
45 (57.68) |
Tampa, FL | 36 | 112 | 105 | 65 | 31 | 40 |
46 (57.49) |
Des Moines, IA | 60 | 38 | 108 | 56 | 35 | 90 |
47 (57.46) |
Yonkers, NY | 134 | 46 | 8 | 1 | 114 | 105 |
48 (57.28) |
San Antonio, TX | 37 | 15 | 84 | 115 | 36 | 88 |
49 (57.05) |
Billings, MT | 48 | 95 | 97 | 83 | 22 | 39 |
50 (56.95) |
Casper, WY | 1 | 132 | 101 | 10 | 39 | 51 |
51 (56.92) |
Long Beach, CA | 78 | 58 | 13 | 68 | 64 | 127 |
52 (56.77) |
Orlando, FL | 52 | 88 | 59 | 111 | 37 | 49 |
53 (56.66) |
Arlington, TX | 71 | 31 | 79 | 41 | 45 | 140 |
54 (56.52) |
Anchorage, AK | 62 | 44 | 83 | 98 | 10 | 97 |
55 (56.48) |
Spokane, WA | 56 | 54 | 42 | 103 | 86 | 63 |
56 (56.33) |
Salem, OR | 108 | 118 | 46 | 64 | 44 | 13 |
57 (56.33) |
Mesa, AZ | 68 | 96 | 54 | 45 | 30 | 136 |
58 (56.29) |
Omaha, NE | 89 | 49 | 107 | 36 | 56 | 86 |
59 (56.22) |
Fort Wayne, IN | 25 | 27 | 123 | 48 | 53 | 139 |
60 (56.13) |
Fort Worth, TX | 122 | 12 | 65 | 44 | 18 | 130 |
61 (55.94) |
Worcester, MA | 92 | 52 | 67 | 42 | 112 | 74 |
62 (55.93) |
Colorado Springs, CO | 94 | 120 | 60 | 47 | 5 | 122 |
63 (55.91) |
Lexington-Fayette, KY | 54 | 53 | 49 | 63 | 78 | 129 |
64 (55.86) |
Tallahassee, FL | 84 | 23 | 66 | 120 | 96 | 7 |
65 (55.82) |
Denver, CO | 57 | 149 | 36 | 51 | 24 | 83 |
66 (55.81) |
Oklahoma City, OK | 8 | 32 | 121 | 79 | 23 | 149 |
67 (55.74) |
Fort Lauderdale, FL | 45 | 115 | 27 | 119 | 84 | 32 |
68 (55.70) |
Pittsburgh, PA | 132 | 7 | 64 | 38 | 91 | 42 |
69 (55.68) |
St. Petersburg, FL | 51 | 110 | 94 | 112 | 19 | 48 |
70 (55.54) |
Nampa, ID | 75 | 123 | 96 | 54 | 43 | 35 |
71 (55.39) |
Miami, FL | 116 | 47 | 18 | 97 | 134 | 10 |
72 (55.36) |
Los Angeles, CA | 105 | 100 | 16 | 74 | 90 | 91 |
73 (55.23) |
Rapid City, SD | 88 | 99 | 22 | 81 | 71 | 66 |
74 (54.92) |
Rochester, NY | 83 | 92 | 76 | 53 | 143 | 1 |
75 (54.81) |
Riverside, CA | 87 | 41 | 39 | 90 | 38 | 144 |
76 (54.80) |
Knoxville, TN | 39 | 24 | 104 | 126 | 105 | 38 |
77 (54.62) |
Las Vegas, NV | 101 | 126 | 85 | 93 | 60 | 8 |
78 (54.41) |
Garland, TX | 141 | 9 | 70 | 43 | 21 | 135 |
79 (54.26) |
Cheyenne, WY | 9 | 124 | 82 | 75 | 13 | 78 |
80 (54.15) |
Missoula, MT | 125 | 2 | 50 | 128 | 79 | 45 |
81 (54.10) |
Corpus Christi, TX | 82 | 28 | 95 | 101 | 48 | 116 |
82 (53.99) |
Sacramento, CA | 107 | 108 | 62 | 85 | 55 | 77 |
83 (53.88) |
Dallas, TX | 136 | 6 | 52 | 73 | 62 | 72 |
84 (53.83) |
Columbus, OH | 91 | 72 | 115 | 52 | 74 | 79 |
85 (53.61) |
Las Cruces, NM | 41 | 90 | 113 | 70 | 119 | 59 |
86 (53.53) |
Louisville, KY | 42 | 106 | 112 | 89 | 77 | 96 |
87 (53.36) |
Oakland, CA | 113 | 60 | 11 | 141 | 40 | 112 |
88 (53.04) |
Buffalo, NY | 118 | 97 | 91 | 69 | 126 | 12 |
89 (53.02) |
Houston, TX | 123 | 16 | 71 | 106 | 97 | 60 |
90 (52.92) |
Washington, DC | 96 | 136 | 124 | 78 | 94 | 3 |
91 (52.72) |
Warren, MI | 40 | 116 | 89 | 25 | 100 | 120 |
92 (52.50) |
Hialeah, FL | 148 | 67 | 29 | 24 | 128 | 103 |
93 (52.46) |
Kansas City, MO | 86 | 18 | 87 | 138 | 63 | 114 |
94 (52.37) |
Dayton, OH | 55 | 89 | 90 | 110 | 141 | 19 |
95 (51.86) |
Akron, OH | 109 | 68 | 111 | 59 | 129 | 61 |
96 (51.83) |
Fairbanks, AK | 3 | 73 | 69 | 76 | 98 | 145 |
97 (51.76) |
Tacoma, WA | 111 | 87 | 40 | 133 | 57 | 111 |
98 (51.32) |
Cincinnati, OH | 93 | 125 | 132 | 86 | 116 | 15 |
99 (51.26) |
Jacksonville, FL | 103 | 105 | 136 | 91 | 54 | 52 |
100 (51.18) |
Syracuse, NY | 126 | 111 | 78 | 33 | 136 | 23 |
101 (50.98) |
Reno, NV | 130 | 86 | 109 | 55 | 41 | 95 |
102 (50.97) |
Nashville, TN | 119 | 91 | 125 | 100 | 26 | 58 |
103 (50.74) |
Dover, DE | 85 | 56 | 99 | 139 | 85 | 84 |
104 (50.70) |
Tucson, AZ | 110 | 122 | 47 | 116 | 113 | 76 |
105 (50.69) |
Atlanta, GA | 96 | 102 | 93 | 121 | 87 | 81 |
106 (50.29) |
Bakersfield, CA | 80 | 82 | 98 | 104 | 52 | 146 |
107 (50.03) |
Lubbock, TX | 77 | 33 | 103 | 142 | 66 | 133 |
108 (49.97) |
Springfield, MA | 124 | 128 | 53 | 62 | 133 | 62 |
109 (49.87) |
Modesto, CA | 114 | 79 | 81 | 134 | 49 | 121 |
110 (49.64) |
Indianapolis, IN | 21 | 142 | 134 | 123 | 101 | 89 |
111 (49.46) |
Tulsa, OK | 32 | 50 | 127 | 129 | 93 | 147 |
112 (49.43) |
Richmond, VA | 76 | 144 | 135 | 49 | 111 | 94 |
113 (49.41) |
Norfolk, VA | 73 | 137 | 142 | 50 | 107 | 100 |
114 (49.35) |
Milwaukee, WI | 121 | 69 | 92 | 113 | 117 | 87 |
115 (49.27) |
Topeka, KS | 106 | 107 | 133 | 114 | 75 | 44 |
116 (49.24) |
Mobile, AL | 53 | 43 | 146 | 124 | 122 | 30 |
117 (49.22) |
Bridgeport, CT | 144 | 61 | 7 | 29 | 146 | 98 |
118 (49.20) |
Chattanooga, TN | 102 | 40 | 110 | 127 | 80 | 56 |
119 (49.19) |
Little Rock, AR | 33 | 130 | 102 | 149 | 99 | 46 |
120 (48.95) |
Huntington, WV | 2 | 103 | 128 | 80 | 132 | 21 |
121 (48.82) |
Columbus, GA | 47 | 66 | 149 | 96 | 124 | 55 |
122 (48.75) |
Columbia, SC | 95 | 143 | 86 | 130 | 104 | 53 |
123 (48.73) |
Albuquerque, NM | 63 | 148 | 100 | 144 | 95 | 36 |
124 (48.70) |
Wichita, KS | 66 | 85 | 130 | 118 | 83 | 134 |
125 (47.83) |
Charleston, WV | 50 | 74 | 120 | 148 | 102 | 82 |
126 (47.36) |
New Orleans, LA | 140 | 10 | 117 | 122 | 135 | 9 |
127 (47.22) |
Kansas City, KS | 104 | 141 | 122 | 99 | 106 | 101 |
128 (46.99) |
Fort Smith, AR | 127 | 34 | 119 | 131 | 89 | 68 |
129 (46.90) |
Hartford, CT | 135 | 109 | 48 | 102 | 145 | 25 |
130 (46.22) |
Providence, RI | 142 | 117 | 77 | 35 | 142 | 17 |
131 (45.64) |
Montgomery, AL | 117 | 84 | 148 | 94 | 120 | 67 |
132 (45.36) |
Wilmington, DE | 79 | 55 | 118 | 146 | 144 | 113 |
133 (44.94) |
Gulfport, MS | 128 | 51 | 138 | 107 | 109 | 99 |
134 (44.83) |
Fresno, CA | 139 | 70 | 72 | 108 | 127 | 138 |
135 (44.79) |
Birmingham, AL | 115 | 26 | 129 | 147 | 131 | 106 |
136 (44.42) |
New Haven, CT | 143 | 104 | 41 | 105 | 139 | 47 |
137 (44.40) |
Chicago, IL | 149 | 39 | 88 | 67 | 115 | 34 |
138 (44.27) |
Philadelphia, PA | 138 | 146 | 143 | 58 | 125 | 20 |
139 (43.58) |
Baton Rouge, LA | 70 | 131 | 141 | 117 | 137 | 132 |
140 (43.27) |
Baltimore, MD | 65 | 145 | 150 | 136 | 118 | 75 |
141 (43.16) |
Memphis, TN | 67 | 121 | 139 | 145 | 121 | 125 |
142 (41.13) |
Gary, IN | 23 | 80 | 137 | 92 | 147 | 148 |
143 (41.13) |
Shreveport, LA | 137 | 81 | 140 | 109 | 140 | 107 |
144 (40.72) |
Cleveland, OH | 133 | 138 | 116 | 125 | 148 | 85 |
145 (40.41) |
Toledo, OH | 129 | 150 | 114 | 87 | 130 | 143 |
146 (39.45) |
Stockton, CA | 145 | 94 | 74 | 140 | 110 | 150 |
147 (37.96) |
Flint, MI | 18 | 134 | 147 | 132 | 149 | 102 |
148 (35.76) |
St. Louis, MO | 146 | 135 | 145 | 150 | 103 | 37 |
149 (35.28) |
Jackson, MS | 147 | 127 | 131 | 137 | 137 | 124 |
150 (27.79) |
Detroit, MI | 150 | 129 | 144 | 143 | 150 | 128 |
Ask the Experts
A well-run city isn’t just the product of efficient budgeting or lots of resources. It is the fruit of countless other decisions, too. For more insight into why some cities perform better than others, we turned to a panel of local-government, economic and diversity experts. Click on the panelists’ profiles to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:
- In your opinion, what are the most important issues facing U.S. cities today?
- Why are some cities better run than others?
- What can citizens do to increase the transparency and accountability of local government?
- Are some forms of city government — a strong mayor versus a strong city council, for instance — more effective than others?
- In evaluating how well a city is run, what are the top five indicators?
- How can local policymakers reduce racial tensions in the wake of recent movements?
T
Best-Run Cities in America
Overall Rank (1=Best) | City | ‘Quality of City Services’ Rank | ‘Total Budget per Capita’ Rank |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Nampa, ID | 70 | 1 |
2 | Provo, UT | 9 | 2 |
3 | Boise, ID | 5 | 3 |
4 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | 63 | 4 |
5 | Missoula, MT | 80 | 5 |
6 | Sioux Falls, SD | 4 | 18 |
7 | Durham, NC | 26 | 12 |
8 | Lewiston, ME | 38 | 8 |
9 | Nashua, NH | 2 | 30 |
10 | Oklahoma City, OK | 66 | 9 |
11 | Las Cruces, NM | 85 | 6 |
12 | Greensboro, NC | 32 | 15 |
13 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 22 | 21 |
14 | Huntington Beach, CA | 1 | 52 |
15 | Billings, MT | 49 | 14 |
16 | Raleigh, NC | 20 | 28 |
17 | Rapid City, SD | 73 | 11 |
18 | Fort Wayne, IN | 59 | 13 |
19 | Fargo, ND | 7 | 40 |
20 | Virginia Beach, VA | 3 | 46 |
21 | Aurora, IL | 28 | 31 |
22 | Bismarck, ND | 6 | 53 |
23 | Lincoln, NE | 12 | 47 |
24 | Columbus, GA | 121 | 7 |
25 | Arlington, TX | 53 | 23 |
26 | Manchester, NH | 33 | 34 |
27 | Mesa, AZ | 57 | 22 |
28 | Salem, OR | 56 | 24 |
29 | Chesapeake, VA | 24 | 44 |
30 | Louisville, KY | 86 | 19 |
31 | Albuquerque, NM | 123 | 10 |
32 | Warwick, RI | 39 | 36 |
33 | Madison, WI | 10 | 59 |
34 | Salt Lake City, UT | 31 | 41 |
35 | Warren, MI | 91 | 20 |
36 | Grand Rapids, MI | 42 | 43 |
37 | Phoenix, AZ | 43 | 42 |
38 | Huntington, WV | 120 | 16 |
39 | Tucson, AZ | 104 | 27 |
40 | El Paso, TX | 44 | 51 |
41 | Portland, ME | 17 | 67 |
42 | St. Petersburg, FL | 69 | 48 |
43 | Tulsa, OK | 111 | 26 |
44 | Topeka, KS | 115 | 25 |
45 | Fort Worth, TX | 60 | 53 |
46 | Charleston, SC | 23 | 68 |
47 | Corpus Christi, TX | 81 | 49 |
48 | Mobile, AL | 116 | 32 |
49 | Aurora, CO | 37 | 63 |
50 | Worcester, MA | 61 | 58 |
51 | Reno, NV | 101 | 39 |
52 | Wichita, KS | 124 | 33 |
53 | Santa Ana, CA | 35 | 69 |
54 | Des Moines, IA | 46 | 64 |
55 | Spokane, WA | 55 | 62 |
56 | Little Rock, AR | 119 | 37 |
57 | Fort Smith, AR | 128 | 35 |
58 | Portland, OR | 19 | 91 |
59 | Eugene, OR | 41 | 75 |
60 | Las Vegas, NV | 77 | 66 |
61 | Gary, IN | 142 | 17 |
62 | San Diego, CA | 15 | 93 |
63 | Rutland, VT | 25 | 83 |
64 | Dover, DE | 103 | 57 |
65 | St. Paul, MN | 27 | 87 |
66 | Frederick, MD | 14 | 99 |
67 | Columbia, SC | 122 | 55 |
68 | Fremont, CA | 11 | 102 |
69 | Springfield, MA | 108 | 60 |
70 | Columbus, OH | 84 | 70 |
71 | Fairbanks, AK | 96 | 65 |
72 | Montgomery, AL | 131 | 45 |
73 | Austin, TX | 8 | 107 |
74 | Charleston, WV | 125 | 56 |
75 | Anchorage, AK | 54 | 78 |
76 | Houston, TX | 89 | 71 |
77 | Baton Rouge, LA | 139 | 38 |
78 | Dayton, OH | 94 | 72 |
79 | Casper, WY | 50 | 83 |
80 | Omaha, NE | 58 | 81 |
81 | Boston, MA | 16 | 106 |
82 | Tallahassee, FL | 64 | 92 |
83 | Hialeah, FL | 92 | 79 |
84 | San Jose, CA | 13 | 117 |
85 | Indianapolis, IN | 110 | 76 |
86 | Norfolk, VA | 113 | 77 |
87 | Anaheim, CA | 30 | 109 |
88 | Akron, OH | 95 | 82 |
89 | Orlando, FL | 52 | 104 |
90 | Minneapolis, MN | 34 | 108 |
91 | Shreveport, LA | 143 | 50 |
92 | Jacksonville, FL | 99 | 88 |
93 | Miami, FL | 71 | 100 |
94 | Colorado Springs, CO | 62 | 105 |
95 | Dallas, TX | 83 | 97 |
96 | Kansas City, MO | 93 | 94 |
97 | Bridgeport, CT | 117 | 80 |
98 | Tampa, FL | 45 | 114 |
99 | San Antonio, TX | 48 | 111 |
100 | Providence, RI | 130 | 73 |
101 | Jackson, MS | 149 | 29 |
102 | Milwaukee, WI | 114 | 85 |
103 | Bakersfield, CA | 106 | 96 |
104 | Pittsburgh, PA | 68 | 113 |
105 | Seattle, WA | 18 | 130 |
106 | Toledo, OH | 145 | 61 |
107 | Charlotte, NC | 29 | 129 |
108 | Lubbock, TX | 107 | 98 |
109 | Burlington, VT | 40 | 124 |
110 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 67 | 120 |
111 | Nashville, TN | 102 | 101 |
112 | Garland, TX | 78 | 115 |
113 | New Orleans, LA | 126 | 95 |
114 | Fresno, CA | 134 | 86 |
115 | Birmingham, AL | 135 | 90 |
116 | Riverside, CA | 75 | 127 |
117 | Cincinnati, OH | 98 | 119 |
118 | Buffalo, NY | 88 | 125 |
119 | Stockton, CA | 146 | 74 |
120 | Richmond, VA | 112 | 118 |
121 | Sacramento, CA | 82 | 131 |
122 | Kansas City, KS | 127 | 112 |
123 | Modesto, CA | 109 | 123 |
124 | New Haven, CT | 136 | 103 |
125 | Knoxville, TN | 76 | 134 |
126 | Syracuse, NY | 100 | 132 |
127 | Rochester, NY | 74 | 135 |
128 | Wilmington, DE | 132 | 116 |
129 | Long Beach, CA | 51 | 140 |
130 | Baltimore, MD | 140 | 110 |
131 | Denver, CO | 65 | 139 |
132 | Cheyenne, WY | 79 | 138 |
133 | Yonkers, NY | 47 | 143 |
134 | Philadelphia, PA | 138 | 125 |
135 | Memphis, TN | 141 | 122 |
136 | St. Louis, MO | 148 | 89 |
137 | Atlanta, GA | 105 | 137 |
138 | Los Angeles, CA | 72 | 144 |
139 | Tacoma, WA | 97 | 141 |
140 | Chicago, IL | 137 | 136 |
141 | Hartford, CT | 129 | 142 |
142 | Cleveland, OH | 144 | 133 |
143 | Flint, MI | 147 | 128 |
144 | Chattanooga, TN | 118 | 146 |
145 | Oakland, CA | 87 | 147 |
146 | Gulfport, MS | 133 | 145 |
147 | San Francisco, CA | 21 | 149 |
148 | New York, NY | 36 | 148 |
149 | Detroit, MI | 150 | 121 |
150 | Washington, DC | 90 | 150 |
Detailed Breakdown by City
‘Quality of City Services’ Rank* (Score) |
City | ‘Financial Stability’ Rank | ‘Education’ Rank | ‘Health’ Rank | ‘Safety’ Rank | ‘Economy’ Rank | ‘Infrastructure & Pollution’ Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 (71.19) |
Huntington Beach, CA | 28 | 1 | 6 | 19 | 8 | 137 |
2 (67.39) |
Nashua, NH | 43 | 25 | 17 | 2 | 12 | 108 |
3 (66.68) |
Virginia Beach, VA | 10 | 29 | 61 | 6 | 29 | 65 |
4 (66.59) |
Sioux Falls, SD | 26 | 17 | 19 | 28 | 4 | 69 |
5 (66.50) |
Boise, ID | 13 | 75 | 25 | 8 | 6 | 54 |
6 (66.48) |
Bismarck, ND | 20 | 64 | 9 | 23 | 9 | 41 |
7 (66.17) |
Fargo, ND | 49 | 11 | 23 | 14 | 11 | 27 |
8 (66.09) |
Austin, TX | 30 | 4 | 21 | 60 | 2 | 43 |
9 (65.91) |
Provo, UT | 16 | 37 | 63 | 7 | 25 | 57 |
10 (65.07) |
Madison, WI | 7 | 45 | 37 | 15 | 46 | 73 |
11 (64.98) |
Fremont, CA | 98 | 3 | 14 | 18 | 1 | 126 |
12 (63.69) |
Lincoln, NE | 14 | 71 | 30 | 12 | 32 | 93 |
13 (63.42) |
San Jose, CA | 69 | 30 | 3 | 40 | 3 | 119 |
14 (63.42) |
Frederick, MD | 38 | 5 | 31 | 21 | 61 | 117 |
15 (63.29) |
San Diego, CA | 90 | 8 | 12 | 34 | 47 | 28 |
16 (63.19) |
Boston, MA | 4 | 147 | 38 | 13 | 67 | 18 |
17 (62.98) |
Portland, ME | 35 | 36 | 55 | 17 | 73 | 16 |
18 (62.89) |
Seattle, WA | 34 | 48 | 10 | 88 | 16 | 31 |
19 (62.64) |
Portland, OR | 24 | 77 | 24 | 77 | 42 | 4 |
20 (62.23) |
Raleigh, NC | 15 | 63 | 45 | 37 | 27 | 50 |
21 (62.17) |
San Francisco, CA | 57 | 83 | 1 | 95 | 20 | 22 |
22 (62.05) |
Cedar Rapids, IA | 31 | 57 | 56 | 46 | 14 | 70 |
23 (61.99) |
Charleston, SC | 22 | 65 | 44 | 57 | 50 | 24 |
24 (61.36) |
Chesapeake, VA | 19 | 35 | 106 | 20 | 15 | 115 |
25 (61.07) |
Rutland, VT | 11 | 22 | 26 | 11 | 108 | 5 |
26 (60.82) |
Durham, NC | 6 | 62 | 35 | 72 | 51 | 118 |
27 (60.73) |
St. Paul, MN | 29 | 133 | 57 | 22 | 70 | 26 |
28 (60.28) |
Aurora, IL | 64 | 20 | 32 | 4 | 92 | 123 |
29 (60.14) |
Charlotte, NC | 17 | 21 | 80 | 71 | 28 | 104 |
30 (59.68) |
Anaheim, CA | 99 | 14 | 4 | 32 | 68 | 141 |
31 (59.65) |
Salt Lake City, UT | 12 | 101 | 43 | 135 | 7 | 33 |
32 (59.50) |
Greensboro, NC | 5 | 13 | 126 | 61 | 81 | 92 |
33 (59.39) |
Manchester, NH | 100 | 76 | 15 | 31 | 59 | 71 |
34 (58.94) |
Minneapolis, MN | 59 | 139 | 28 | 66 | 58 | 6 |
35 (58.73) |
Santa Ana, CA | 81 | 19 | 5 | 30 | 72 | 142 |
36 (58.50) |
New York, NY | 119 | 118 | 20 | 5 | 123 | 14 |
37 (58.29) |
Aurora, CO | 46 | 114 | 34 | 39 | 17 | 131 |
38 (58.24) |
Lewiston, ME | 61 | 113 | 75 | 26 | 65 | 29 |
39 (58.11) |
Warwick, RI | 112 | 93 | 68 | 3 | 33 | 110 |
40 (58.11) |
Burlington, VT | 131 | 59 | 2 | 9 | 88 | 11 |
41 (58.04) |
Eugene, OR | 27 | 140 | 58 | 84 | 76 | 2 |
42 (57.99) |
Grand Rapids, MI | 72 | 78 | 73 | 27 | 69 | 80 |
43 (57.92) |
Phoenix, AZ | 44 | 98 | 51 | 82 | 34 | 64 |
44 (57.76) |
El Paso, TX | 74 | 42 | 33 | 16 | 82 | 109 |
45 (57.68) |
Tampa, FL | 36 | 112 | 105 | 65 | 31 | 40 |
46 (57.49) |
Des Moines, IA | 60 | 38 | 108 | 56 | 35 | 90 |
47 (57.46) |
Yonkers, NY | 134 | 46 | 8 | 1 | 114 | 105 |
48 (57.28) |
San Antonio, TX | 37 | 15 | 84 | 115 | 36 | 88 |
49 (57.05) |
Billings, MT | 48 | 95 | 97 | 83 | 22 | 39 |
50 (56.95) |
Casper, WY | 1 | 132 | 101 | 10 | 39 | 51 |
51 (56.92) |
Long Beach, CA | 78 | 58 | 13 | 68 | 64 | 127 |
52 (56.77) |
Orlando, FL | 52 | 88 | 59 | 111 | 37 | 49 |
53 (56.66) |
Arlington, TX | 71 | 31 | 79 | 41 | 45 | 140 |
54 (56.52) |
Anchorage, AK | 62 | 44 | 83 | 98 | 10 | 97 |
55 (56.48) |
Spokane, WA | 56 | 54 | 42 | 103 | 86 | 63 |
56 (56.33) |
Salem, OR | 108 | 118 | 46 | 64 | 44 | 13 |
57 (56.33) |
Mesa, AZ | 68 | 96 | 54 | 45 | 30 | 136 |
58 (56.29) |
Omaha, NE | 89 | 49 | 107 | 36 | 56 | 86 |
59 (56.22) |
Fort Wayne, IN | 25 | 27 | 123 | 48 | 53 | 139 |
60 (56.13) |
Fort Worth, TX | 122 | 12 | 65 | 44 | 18 | 130 |
61 (55.94) |
Worcester, MA | 92 | 52 | 67 | 42 | 112 | 74 |
62 (55.93) |
Colorado Springs, CO | 94 | 120 | 60 | 47 | 5 | 122 |
63 (55.91) |
Lexington-Fayette, KY | 54 | 53 | 49 | 63 | 78 | 129 |
64 (55.86) |
Tallahassee, FL | 84 | 23 | 66 | 120 | 96 | 7 |
65 (55.82) |
Denver, CO | 57 | 149 | 36 | 51 | 24 | 83 |
66 (55.81) |
Oklahoma City, OK | 8 | 32 | 121 | 79 | 23 | 149 |
67 (55.74) |
Fort Lauderdale, FL | 45 | 115 | 27 | 119 | 84 | 32 |
68 (55.70) |
Pittsburgh, PA | 132 | 7 | 64 | 38 | 91 | 42 |
69 (55.68) |
St. Petersburg, FL | 51 | 110 | 94 | 112 | 19 | 48 |
70 (55.54) |
Nampa, ID | 75 | 123 | 96 | 54 | 43 | 35 |
71 (55.39) |
Miami, FL | 116 | 47 | 18 | 97 | 134 | 10 |
72 (55.36) |
Los Angeles, CA | 105 | 100 | 16 | 74 | 90 | 91 |
73 (55.23) |
Rapid City, SD | 88 | 99 | 22 | 81 | 71 | 66 |
74 (54.92) |
Rochester, NY | 83 | 92 | 76 | 53 | 143 | 1 |
75 (54.81) |
Riverside, CA | 87 | 41 | 39 | 90 | 38 | 144 |
76 (54.80) |
Knoxville, TN | 39 | 24 | 104 | 126 | 105 | 38 |
77 (54.62) |
Las Vegas, NV | 101 | 126 | 85 | 93 | 60 | 8 |
78 (54.41) |
Garland, TX | 141 | 9 | 70 | 43 | 21 | 135 |
79 (54.26) |
Cheyenne, WY | 9 | 124 | 82 | 75 | 13 | 78 |
80 (54.15) |
Missoula, MT | 125 | 2 | 50 | 128 | 79 | 45 |
81 (54.10) |
Corpus Christi, TX | 82 | 28 | 95 | 101 | 48 | 116 |
82 (53.99) |
Sacramento, CA | 107 | 108 | 62 | 85 | 55 | 77 |
83 (53.88) |
Dallas, TX | 136 | 6 | 52 | 73 | 62 | 72 |
84 (53.83) |
Columbus, OH | 91 | 72 | 115 | 52 | 74 | 79 |
85 (53.61) |
Las Cruces, NM | 41 | 90 | 113 | 70 | 119 | 59 |
86 (53.53) |
Louisville, KY | 42 | 106 | 112 | 89 | 77 | 96 |
87 (53.36) |
Oakland, CA | 113 | 60 | 11 | 141 | 40 | 112 |
88 (53.04) |
Buffalo, NY | 118 | 97 | 91 | 69 | 126 | 12 |
89 (53.02) |
Houston, TX | 123 | 16 | 71 | 106 | 97 | 60 |
90 (52.92) |
Washington, DC | 96 | 136 | 124 | 78 | 94 | 3 |
91 (52.72) |
Warren, MI | 40 | 116 | 89 | 25 | 100 | 120 |
92 (52.50) |
Hialeah, FL | 148 | 67 | 29 | 24 | 128 | 103 |
93 (52.46) |
Kansas City, MO | 86 | 18 | 87 | 138 | 63 | 114 |
94 (52.37) |
Dayton, OH | 55 | 89 | 90 | 110 | 141 | 19 |
95 (51.86) |
Akron, OH | 109 | 68 | 111 | 59 | 129 | 61 |
96 (51.83) |
Fairbanks, AK | 3 | 73 | 69 | 76 | 98 | 145 |
97 (51.76) |
Tacoma, WA | 111 | 87 | 40 | 133 | 57 | 111 |
98 (51.32) |
Cincinnati, OH | 93 | 125 | 132 | 86 | 116 | 15 |
99 (51.26) |
Jacksonville, FL | 103 | 105 | 136 | 91 | 54 | 52 |
100 (51.18) |
Syracuse, NY | 126 | 111 | 78 | 33 | 136 | 23 |
101 (50.98) |
Reno, NV | 130 | 86 | 109 | 55 | 41 | 95 |
102 (50.97) |
Nashville, TN | 119 | 91 | 125 | 100 | 26 | 58 |
103 (50.74) |
Dover, DE | 85 | 56 | 99 | 139 | 85 | 84 |
104 (50.70) |
Tucson, AZ | 110 | 122 | 47 | 116 | 113 | 76 |
105 (50.69) |
Atlanta, GA | 96 | 102 | 93 | 121 | 87 | 81 |
106 (50.29) |
Bakersfield, CA | 80 | 82 | 98 | 104 | 52 | 146 |
107 (50.03) |
Lubbock, TX | 77 | 33 | 103 | 142 | 66 | 133 |
108 (49.97) |
Springfield, MA | 124 | 128 | 53 | 62 | 133 | 62 |
109 (49.87) |
Modesto, CA | 114 | 79 | 81 | 134 | 49 | 121 |
110 (49.64) |
Indianapolis, IN | 21 | 142 | 134 | 123 | 101 | 89 |
111 (49.46) |
Tulsa, OK | 32 | 50 | 127 | 129 | 93 | 147 |
112 (49.43) |
Richmond, VA | 76 | 144 | 135 | 49 | 111 | 94 |
113 (49.41) |
Norfolk, VA | 73 | 137 | 142 | 50 | 107 | 100 |
114 (49.35) |
Milwaukee, WI | 121 | 69 | 92 | 113 | 117 | 87 |
115 (49.27) |
Topeka, KS | 106 | 107 | 133 | 114 | 75 | 44 |
116 (49.24) |
Mobile, AL | 53 | 43 | 146 | 124 | 122 | 30 |
117 (49.22) |
Bridgeport, CT | 144 | 61 | 7 | 29 | 146 | 98 |
118 (49.20) |
Chattanooga, TN | 102 | 40 | 110 | 127 | 80 | 56 |
119 (49.19) |
Little Rock, AR | 33 | 130 | 102 | 149 | 99 | 46 |
120 (48.95) |
Huntington, WV | 2 | 103 | 128 | 80 | 132 | 21 |
121 (48.82) |
Columbus, GA | 47 | 66 | 149 | 96 | 124 | 55 |
122 (48.75) |
Columbia, SC | 95 | 143 | 86 | 130 | 104 | 53 |
123 (48.73) |
Albuquerque, NM | 63 | 148 | 100 | 144 | 95 | 36 |
124 (48.70) |
Wichita, KS | 66 | 85 | 130 | 118 | 83 | 134 |
125 (47.83) |
Charleston, WV | 50 | 74 | 120 | 148 | 102 | 82 |
126 (47.36) |
New Orleans, LA | 140 | 10 | 117 | 122 | 135 | 9 |
127 (47.22) |
Kansas City, KS | 104 | 141 | 122 | 99 | 106 | 101 |
128 (46.99) |
Fort Smith, AR | 127 | 34 | 119 | 131 | 89 | 68 |
129 (46.90) |
Hartford, CT | 135 | 109 | 48 | 102 | 145 | 25 |
130 (46.22) |
Providence, RI | 142 | 117 | 77 | 35 | 142 | 17 |
131 (45.64) |
Montgomery, AL | 117 | 84 | 148 | 94 | 120 | 67 |
132 (45.36) |
Wilmington, DE | 79 | 55 | 118 | 146 | 144 | 113 |
133 (44.94) |
Gulfport, MS | 128 | 51 | 138 | 107 | 109 | 99 |
134 (44.83) |
Fresno, CA | 139 | 70 | 72 | 108 | 127 | 138 |
135 (44.79) |
Birmingham, AL | 115 | 26 | 129 | 147 | 131 | 106 |
136 (44.42) |
New Haven, CT | 143 | 104 | 41 | 105 | 139 | 47 |
137 (44.40) |
Chicago, IL | 149 | 39 | 88 | 67 | 115 | 34 |
138 (44.27) |
Philadelphia, PA | 138 | 146 | 143 | 58 | 125 | 20 |
139 (43.58) |
Baton Rouge, LA | 70 | 131 | 141 | 117 | 137 | 132 |
140 (43.27) |
Baltimore, MD | 65 | 145 | 150 | 136 | 118 | 75 |
141 (43.16) |
Memphis, TN | 67 | 121 | 139 | 145 | 121 | 125 |
142 (41.13) |
Gary, IN | 23 | 80 | 137 | 92 | 147 | 148 |
143 (41.13) |
Shreveport, LA | 137 | 81 | 140 | 109 | 140 | 107 |
144 (40.72) |
Cleveland, OH | 133 | 138 | 116 | 125 | 148 | 85 |
145 (40.41) |
Toledo, OH | 129 | 150 | 114 | 87 | 130 | 143 |
146 (39.45) |
Stockton, CA | 145 | 94 | 74 | 140 | 110 | 150 |
147 (37.96) |
Flint, MI | 18 | 134 | 147 | 132 | 149 | 102 |
148 (35.76) |
St. Louis, MO | 146 | 135 | 145 | 150 | 103 | 37 |
149 (35.28) |
Jackson, MS | 147 | 127 | 131 | 137 | 137 | 124 |
150 (27.79) |
Detroit, MI | 150 | 129 | 144 | 143 | 150 | 128 |
*No. 1 = Best Run