Living Big in the Best Small Cities

A new study finds the most livable small towns in the U.S., based on entertainment and dining, income inequality, housing affordability, and employment metrics.

Most of the cities in SmartAsset's top 10 are located in the Midwest; Flower Mound, Texas took the top spot and Livonia, Mich. came in second, both retaining their ranks from 2018. Six of the 10 best cities were on the list in 2018 and 2019. Flower Mound's average household spending on housing is 17.90 percent of its income, ranking in the top 20 overall for this metric, and only 2 percent of its residents live below the poverty line, the lowest share in any top 10 city.

Small towns have their charm and big cities offer great opportunities, but what if you’re looking for something in between? Unlike a large metropolis, a small city tends to have a more affordable cost of living, making it easier to build your savings for a house or retirement. It’s also possible to find a great quality of life without completely sacrificing job opportunities, as you might have to do in an even smaller town. To shine a light on these great locales, SmartAsset created this list of the most livable small cities in the U.S.

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