America's Best Small Cities

Money Magazine lists the top 20 best 'small cities' (pop. 50,000 to 300,000). Located in all corners of the U.S., these cities offer small town charm with big city amenities.

1 minute read

August 23, 2012, 1:00 PM PDT

By Andrew Gorden


Overwhelmingly suburban, Money's recently released list of America's Best Places to Live 2012 ranks America's best small cities, with populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Most of the cities lie within an hour's drive of a major city: Irvine, California, outside of Los Angeles; Overland Park, Kansas, outside of Kansas City; and McKinney, Texas, outside of Dallas.

Combining great schools, low crime, and quality health care, with big city economic strength and urban amenities, these 20 small cities rank as Money's best in the nation.

Monday, August 20, 2012 in Money

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

Dense informal settlement on steep hillside in Brazil.

Housing as a Climate Resilience Strategy

Ensuring that housing, including in informal settlements, is safe and healthy for its residents is a key tool in the fight to build more sustainable and equitable communities in the face of climate migration.

December 11 - Time Magazine

Close-up of person on road bike riding on protected bike lane separated by concrete curb from street.

Southeast LA Road Safety Advocates Call for Improved Infrastructure

Streets in southeastern Los Angeles County have a severe lack of protected bike lanes and traffic safety measures, leading to high numbers of fatalities in a community where many residents depend on walking and biking for daily needs.

December 11 - LA Public Press

Close-up of Chevron gas station sign with logo and prices starting at $7.25.

USDOT: Low-Income Households Bear Highest Transportation Cost Burden

Transportation costs are the second-highest household expenditure behind housing for all income levels.

December 11 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.