Recent years have been a true test of the effectiveness of local leadership, from public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic to higher-than-average inflation and other issues like elevated homicide rates.
Even during less difficult times, running a city is a tall order. The larger the city, the more complex it becomes to manage. Local leaders must balance the public’s diverse interests with the city’s limited resources. Leaders must carefully consider which services are most essential, which agencies’ budgets to cut or boost, and how much to charge in local taxes, among other decisions.
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 the services residents receive against the city’s total budget.
Using that approach, WalletHub compared the operating efficiency of 148 of the largest U.S. cities to reveal which among them are managed best. We constructed a “Quality of Services” score made up of 36 metrics grouped into six service categories, which we then measured against the city’s per-capita budget.
![cassandra happe](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/131688/kassandra-happe.jpg)
Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst
Main Findings
Best-Run Cities in America
Overall Rank* | City | Quality of City Services Rank | Total Budget per Capita Rank |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Nampa, ID | 45 | 1 |
2 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | 41 | 2 |
3 | Boise, ID | 4 | 4 |
4 | Nashua, NH | 3 | 13 |
5 | Oklahoma City, OK | 58 | 6 |
6 | Durham, NC | 16 | 20 |
7 | Provo, UT | 6 | 29 |
8 | Fort Wayne, IN | 49 | 11 |
9 | Sioux Falls, SD | 29 | 16 |
10 | Wichita, KS | 98 | 5 |
11 | Raleigh, NC | 12 | 33 |
12 | Columbus, GA | 83 | 8 |
13 | Warwick, RI | 37 | 19 |
14 | Las Cruces, NM | 85 | 7 |
15 | Missoula, MT | 59 | 15 |
16 | Billings, MT | 87 | 9 |
17 | Huntington, WV | 105 | 10 |
18 | Manchester, NH | 38 | 27 |
19 | Bismarck, ND | 25 | 35 |
20 | Baton Rouge, LA | 139 | 3 |
21 | Madison, WI | 14 | 41 |
22 | Virginia Beach, VA | 1 | 53 |
23 | Grand Rapids, MI | 33 | 31 |
24 | Lincoln, NE | 27 | 34 |
25 | Mesa, AZ | 51 | 28 |
26 | Rapid City, SD | 115 | 12 |
27 | Greensboro, NC | 70 | 23 |
28 | Aurora, IL | 32 | 40 |
29 | Tulsa, OK | 81 | 25 |
30 | Warren, MI | 69 | 30 |
31 | Tucson, AZ | 112 | 17 |
32 | Chesapeake, VA | 8 | 61 |
33 | Phoenix, AZ | 55 | 38 |
34 | Topeka, KS | 109 | 24 |
35 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 47 | 42 |
36 | St. Petersburg, FL | 36 | 50 |
37 | Albuquerque, NM | 119 | 22 |
38 | Worcester, MA | 28 | 57 |
39 | Reno, NV | 52 | 48 |
40 | Lewiston, ME | 93 | 37 |
41 | Salem, OR | 46 | 55 |
42 | Jacksonville, FL | 68 | 45 |
43 | Mobile, AL | 94 | 39 |
44 | Corpus Christi, TX | 86 | 43 |
45 | Portland, ME | 10 | 80 |
46 | Colorado Springs, CO | 61 | 54 |
47 | Las Vegas, NV | 35 | 66 |
48 | El Paso, TX | 42 | 61 |
49 | Fort Worth, TX | 80 | 46 |
50 | Arlington, TX | 48 | 60 |
51 | Columbia, SC | 44 | 67 |
52 | Little Rock, AR | 123 | 32 |
53 | Charleston, SC | 7 | 91 |
54 | Bridgeport, CT | 91 | 47 |
55 | Eugene, OR | 34 | 73 |
56 | Louisville, KY | 104 | 49 |
57 | Casper, WY | 90 | 51 |
58 | Hialeah, FL | 18 | 88 |
59 | Fargo, ND | 64 | 64 |
60 | Providence, RI | 95 | 52 |
61 | Frederick, MD | 5 | 100 |
62 | Miami, FL | 15 | 93 |
63 | Montgomery, AL | 126 | 36 |
64 | Toledo, OH | 141 | 21 |
65 | Huntington Beach, CA | 2 | 110 |
66 | Tallahassee, FL | 65 | 71 |
67 | Boston, MA | 9 | 103 |
68 | Dover, DE | 82 | 69 |
69 | Aurora, CO | 89 | 65 |
70 | Spokane, WA | 66 | 74 |
71 | Garland, TX | 60 | 79 |
72 | Omaha, NE | 50 | 83 |
73 | Columbus, OH | 73 | 76 |
74 | Springfield, MA | 108 | 68 |
75 | Anchorage, AK | 88 | 72 |
76 | Fort Smith, AR | 135 | 44 |
77 | Fairbanks, AK | 120 | 56 |
78 | Shreveport, LA | 143 | 26 |
79 | San Diego, CA | 13 | 116 |
80 | Des Moines, IA | 67 | 86 |
81 | Portland, OR | 22 | 111 |
82 | Tampa, FL | 20 | 114 |
83 | Gary, IN | 146 | 18 |
84 | Santa Ana, CA | 43 | 99 |
85 | Houston, TX | 102 | 75 |
86 | Rutland, VT | 122 | 63 |
87 | Orlando, FL | 21 | 115 |
88 | Akron, OH | 92 | 82 |
89 | Austin, TX | 11 | 122 |
90 | St. Paul, MN | 56 | 102 |
91 | Jackson, MS | 147 | 14 |
92 | Milwaukee, WI | 133 | 58 |
93 | Indianapolis, IN | 111 | 78 |
94 | San Antonio, TX | 63 | 101 |
95 | Richmond, VA | 101 | 90 |
96 | Minneapolis, MN | 54 | 112 |
97 | Dallas, TX | 107 | 95 |
98 | Norfolk, VA | 121 | 85 |
99 | Cincinnati, OH | 106 | 98 |
100 | Fremont, CA | 19 | 128 |
101 | Burlington, VT | 71 | 113 |
102 | Atlanta, GA | 62 | 117 |
103 | Dayton, OH | 118 | 89 |
104 | Anaheim, CA | 78 | 109 |
105 | Lubbock, TX | 97 | 106 |
106 | Wilmington, DE | 99 | 105 |
107 | Charleston, WV | 132 | 81 |
108 | Birmingham, AL | 129 | 84 |
109 | Buffalo, NY | 76 | 119 |
110 | Bakersfield, CA | 125 | 92 |
111 | San Jose, CA | 23 | 134 |
112 | Syracuse, NY | 84 | 120 |
113 | Charlotte, NC | 26 | 135 |
114 | Pittsburgh, PA | 40 | 132 |
115 | Kansas City, MO | 127 | 94 |
116 | Modesto, CA | 96 | 121 |
117 | New Haven, CT | 128 | 96 |
118 | Knoxville, TN | 72 | 125 |
119 | Stockton, CA | 137 | 87 |
120 | New Orleans, LA | 140 | 77 |
121 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 53 | 131 |
122 | St. Louis, MO | 145 | 59 |
123 | Seattle, WA | 17 | 140 |
124 | Nashville, TN | 117 | 118 |
125 | Cheyenne, WY | 77 | 126 |
126 | Baltimore, MD | 130 | 108 |
127 | Rochester, NY | 75 | 129 |
128 | Hartford, CT | 136 | 104 |
129 | Fresno, CA | 114 | 123 |
130 | Salt Lake City, UT | 39 | 141 |
131 | Kansas City, KS | 138 | 107 |
132 | Yonkers, NY | 31 | 142 |
133 | Riverside, CA | 110 | 133 |
134 | Memphis, TN | 142 | 97 |
135 | Long Beach, CA | 74 | 139 |
136 | Sacramento, CA | 100 | 137 |
137 | Chicago, IL | 131 | 124 |
138 | Philadelphia, PA | 124 | 130 |
139 | Los Angeles, CA | 57 | 144 |
140 | Detroit, MI | 148 | 70 |
141 | Denver, CO | 79 | 143 |
142 | Tacoma, WA | 113 | 138 |
143 | Cleveland, OH | 134 | 136 |
144 | Flint, MI | 144 | 127 |
145 | New York, NY | 30 | 147 |
146 | Gulfport, MS | 116 | 145 |
147 | Oakland, CA | 103 | 146 |
148 | San Francisco, CA | 24 | 148 |
Notes: *No. 1 = Best-Run
The columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the highest quality of city services, and the smallest budget per capita, respectively.
![Long-Term Debt Outstanding per Capita](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137142/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities1.png)
- Lowest
- 1. Nampa, ID
- 2. Casper, WY
- 3. Boise, ID
- 4. Baton Rouge, LA
- 5. Rutland, VT
![Long-Term Debt Outstanding per Capita](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137142/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities1.png)
- Highest
- 145. Chicago, IL
- 146. New York, NY
- 147. Denver, CO
- T-148. Nashville, TN
- T-148. San Francisco, CA
![High School Graduation Rate](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137143/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities2.png)
- Highest
- 1. Tallahassee, FL
- 2. Frederick, MD
- 3. Austin, TX
- 4. Lubbock, TX
- 5. Virginia Beach, VA
![High School Graduation Rate](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137143/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities2.png)
- Lowest
- 144. Tucson, AZ
- 145. Fairbanks, AK
- 146. Baltimore, MD
- 147. New Orleans, LA
- 148. Toledo, OH
![Infant Mortality Rate](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137144/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities3.png)
- Lowest
- 1. San Francisco, CA
- 2. Boston, MA
- 3. San Jose, CA
- T-4. Fremont, CA
- T-4. Oakland, CA
![Infant Mortality Rate](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137144/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities3.png)
- Highest
- 135. Norfolk, VA
- 136. Jackson, MS
- 137. Richmond, VA
- T-138. Shreveport, LA
- T-138. Rapid City, SD
![Violent Crime Rate](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137145/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities4.png)
- Lowest
- 1. Warwick, RI
- 2. Virginia Beach, VA
- 3. Provo, UT
- 4. Nashua, NH
- 5. Portland, ME
![Violent Crime Rate](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137145/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities4.png)
- Highest
- T-140. Little Rock, AR
- T-140. Oakland, CA
- T-140. Baltimore, MD
- T-140. Detroit, MI
- T-140. Memphis, TN
![Unemployment Rate](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137146/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities5.png)
- Lowest
- T-1. Hialeah, FL
- T-1. Miami, FL
- T-1. Chesapeake, VA
- T-1. Virginia Beach, VA
- T-1. Burlington, VT
![Unemployment Rate](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137146/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities5.png)
- Highest
- 144. Hartford, CT
- 145. Gary, IN
- 146. Stockton, CA
- 147. Detroit, MI
- 148. Flint, MI
![Median Annual Household Income (Cost of Living-Adjusted)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137147/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities6.png)
- Highest
- 1. Fremont, CA
- 2. Chesapeake, VA
- 3. Austin, TX
- 4. Virginia Beach, VA
- 5. Charleston, SC
![Median Annual Household Income (Cost of Living-Adjusted)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137147/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities6.png)
- Lowest
- 144. Hialeah, FL
- 145. Cleveland, OH
- 146. Hartford, CT
- 147. Detroit, MI
- 148. Gary, IN
![% of Population in Poverty](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137148/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities7.png)
- Lowest
- 1. Fremont, CA
- T-2. Huntington Beach, CA
- T-2. Warwick, RI
- T-4. Nashua, NH
- T-4. Chesapeake, VA
![% of Population in Poverty](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137148/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities7.png)
- Highest
- 144. Syracuse, NY
- 145. Cleveland, OH
- 146. Detroit, MI
- 147. Gary, IN
- 148. Flint, MI
![Quality of Roads](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137149/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities8.png)
- Highest
- 1. Tallahassee, FL
- 2. Frederick, MD
- 3. Jacksonville, FL
- T-4. Minneapolis, MN
- T-4. St. Paul, MN
![Quality of Roads](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137149/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities8.png)
- Lowest
- T-124. Oakland, CA
- T-124. San Francisco, CA
- 126. San Jose, CA
- T-127. Anaheim, CA
- T-127. Long Beach, CA
- T-127. Los Angeles, CA
![Air Pollution](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137150/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities9.png)
- Least
- T-1. Billings, MT
- T-1. Lubbock, TX
- 3. Anchorage, AK
- 4. Salem, OR
- 5. Lewiston, ME
![Air Pollution](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/posts/137150/artwork-2024-best-worst-run-cities9.png)
- Most
- T-142. Denver, CO
- T-142. Las Vegas, NV
- 145. Albuquerque, NM
- T-146. Mesa, AZ
- T-146. Phoenix, AZ
- 148. Riverside, CA
In-Depth Look at the Best-Run Cities
Nampa, ID
Nampa, ID, is the best-run city in America, and one reason for that is that its government debt level is extremely low. The city’s long-term outstanding debt per capita is just $564 – compare that to the top cities where the number is in the $25k-$35k range.
Nampa is also a safe city, with the sixth-lowest property-crime rate and the 22nd-lowest violent crime rate in the country. On top of that, the city has the seventh-fewest motor vehicle fatalities per capita.
To top things off, Nampa does very well economically. It has the highest median annual income growth in the country, at 17%. It’s also among the top cities when it comes to growth in the number of businesses. The city has the third-highest forecasted change in the median home value, too, at 4.2%.
Lexington, KY
Lexington, KY, is the second-best-run city, and one way that shows is in how clean the environment is. Lexington has the second-best drinking water quality in the country, relatively low air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions compared to most other cities.
Lexington is also a city that is safe and keeps its infrastructure well-maintained. It has the 13th-lowest violent crime rate in the country, and the 20th-best road quality in the country.
Finally, while the average Lexington household has a respectable median income, at over $71,000, those who are less fortunate are still taken care of. Over 95% of Lexington’s homeless population is sheltered, which helps them remain in better physical health and can give them a better chance at escaping homelessness.
Boise, ID
Boise, ID, is the third-best-run city, and it has the third-lowest long-term outstanding government debt per capita, at $1,062. Its residents are also doing very well financially. For example, the city has the third-highest forecasted 1-year change in the median home value, and a very high growth rate for the number of businesses.
In addition, Boise is a very safe city, with the fourth-lowest property crime rate and 10th-lowest violent crime rate in the country. It has the fewest motor vehicle fatalities per capita, and the 11th-best public hospital system, too.
Detailed Breakdown by City
Quality of City Services* (Score) |
City | Financial Stability Rank | Education Rank | Health Rank | Safety Rank | Economy Rank | Infrastructure & Pollution Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 (69.02) | Virginia Beach, VA | 9 | 3 | 60 | 7 | 9 | 95 |
2 (68.29) | Huntington Beach, CA | 76 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 40 | 48 |
3 (67.29) | Nashua, NH | 19 | 39 | 41 | 1 | 21 | 43 |
4 (66.22) | Boise, ID | 44 | 44 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 93 |
5 (65.23) | Frederick, MD | 30 | 5 | 37 | 14 | 105 | 11 |
6 (65.09) | Provo, UT | 27 | 24 | 34 | 6 | 64 | 62 |
7 (64.89) | Charleston, SC | 16 | 19 | 72 | 30 | 4 | 57 |
8 (64.85) | Chesapeake, VA | 6 | 12 | 62 | 16 | 14 | 134 |
9 (64.01) | Boston, MA | 3 | 138 | 6 | 15 | 89 | 28 |
10 (63.95) | Portland, ME | 37 | 74 | 64 | 9 | 6 | 6 |
11 (63.79) | Austin, TX | 29 | 8 | 19 | 75 | 17 | 50 |
12 (63.61) | Raleigh, NC | 11 | 49 | 21 | 44 | 13 | 85 |
13 (63.60) | San Diego, CA | 86 | 7 | 13 | 28 | 60 | 36 |
14 (63.42) | Madison, WI | 10 | 71 | 18 | 18 | 71 | 84 |
15 (63.10) | Miami, FL | 85 | 4 | 27 | 67 | 15 | 17 |
16 (62.30) | Durham, NC | 4 | 11 | 23 | 60 | 19 | 138 |
17 (62.05) | Seattle, WA | 20 | 10 | 11 | 110 | 53 | 22 |
18 (62.02) | Hialeah, FL | 126 | 2 | 44 | 10 | 10 | 131 |
19 (61.81) | Fremont, CA | 117 | 9 | 5 | 26 | 35 | 101 |
20 (61.46) | Tampa, FL | 39 | 30 | 65 | 51 | 16 | 29 |
21 (61.20) | Orlando, FL | 35 | 17 | 28 | 108 | 8 | 15 |
22 (60.98) | Portland, OR | 17 | 6 | 16 | 126 | 98 | 9 |
23 (60.88) | San Jose, CA | 47 | 36 | 2 | 42 | 110 | 126 |
24 (60.79) | San Francisco, CA | 52 | 15 | 1 | 107 | 133 | 12 |
25 (60.71) | Bismarck, ND | 23 | 91 | 31 | 27 | 61 | 79 |
26 (59.92) | Charlotte, NC | 13 | 47 | 43 | 77 | 12 | 115 |
27 (59.66) | Lincoln, NE | 2 | 89 | 81 | 35 | 46 | 116 |
28 (59.19) | Worcester, MA | 92 | 62 | 32 | 22 | 44 | 65 |
29 (59.02) | Sioux Falls, SD | 56 | 60 | 45 | 39 | 36 | 92 |
30 (59.00) | New York, NY | 103 | 32 | 17 | 25 | 131 | 26 |
31 (58.90) | Yonkers, NY | 133 | 45 | 8 | 3 | 130 | 47 |
32 (58.87) | Aurora, IL | 114 | 20 | 26 | 8 | 100 | 121 |
33 (58.85) | Grand Rapids, MI | 69 | 58 | 52 | 57 | 33 | 14 |
34 (58.78) | Eugene, OR | 22 | 41 | 89 | 48 | 107 | 37 |
35 (58.22) | Las Vegas, NV | 83 | 80 | 61 | 40 | 38 | 24 |
36 (57.91) | St. Petersburg, FL | 94 | 68 | 69 | 65 | 2 | 35 |
37 (57.83) | Warwick, RI | 105 | 79 | 78 | 4 | 50 | 104 |
38 (57.65) | Manchester, NH | 90 | 124 | 35 | 29 | 47 | 34 |
39 (57.50) | Salt Lake City, UT | 33 | 22 | 24 | 136 | 31 | 10 |
40 (57.49) | Pittsburgh, PA | 124 | 16 | 54 | 43 | 58 | 8 |
41 (57.27) | Lexington-Fayette, KY | 58 | 52 | 51 | 34 | 81 | 127 |
42 (57.21) | El Paso, TX | 102 | 13 | 83 | 13 | 42 | 109 |
43 (57.11) | Santa Ana, CA | 84 | 42 | 9 | 31 | 95 | 123 |
44 (56.97) | Columbia, SC | 40 | 113 | 76 | 55 | 20 | 60 |
45 (56.91) | Nampa, ID | 82 | 139 | 94 | 5 | 18 | 114 |
46 (56.80) | Salem, OR | 74 | 72 | 30 | 56 | 67 | 88 |
47 (56.68) | Cedar Rapids, IA | 28 | 92 | 77 | 32 | 125 | 91 |
48 (56.48) | Arlington, TX | 65 | 33 | 87 | 36 | 24 | 144 |
49 (56.31) | Fort Wayne, IN | 21 | 70 | 115 | 17 | 78 | 133 |
50 (56.19) | Omaha, NE | 75 | 65 | 67 | 47 | 51 | 100 |
51 (56.01) | Mesa, AZ | 61 | 90 | 82 | 38 | 5 | 140 |
52 (55.95) | Reno, NV | 100 | 51 | 46 | 37 | 77 | 106 |
53 (55.80) | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 41 | 57 | 33 | 135 | 7 | 54 |
54 (55.79) | Minneapolis, MN | 43 | 135 | 25 | 125 | 76 | 1 |
55 (55.71) | Phoenix, AZ | 32 | 103 | 80 | 102 | 11 | 53 |
56 (55.65) | St. Paul, MN | 51 | 129 | 86 | 82 | 75 | 3 |
57 (55.31) | Los Angeles, CA | 95 | 40 | 20 | 74 | 132 | 73 |
58 (55.27) | Oklahoma City, OK | 8 | 84 | 109 | 70 | 32 | 135 |
59 (55.20) | Missoula, MT | 120 | 21 | 58 | 68 | 48 | 80 |
60 (55.12) | Garland, TX | 104 | 35 | 75 | 24 | 25 | 148 |
61 (55.07) | Colorado Springs, CO | 71 | 63 | 74 | 66 | 28 | 118 |
62 (54.59) | Atlanta, GA | 79 | 93 | 85 | 119 | 3 | 32 |
63 (54.46) | San Antonio, TX | 24 | 54 | 91 | 123 | 52 | 72 |
64 (54.36) | Fargo, ND | 98 | 118 | 29 | 54 | 88 | 45 |
65 (54.30) | Tallahassee, FL | 77 | 26 | 127 | 64 | 106 | 13 |
66 (54.26) | Spokane, WA | 68 | 46 | 56 | 96 | 73 | 96 |
67 (54.17) | Des Moines, IA | 66 | 109 | 42 | 76 | 123 | 59 |
68 (54.09) | Jacksonville, FL | 70 | 50 | 123 | 81 | 29 | 42 |
69 (53.81) | Warren, MI | 59 | 112 | 90 | 23 | 30 | 56 |
70 (53.71) | Greensboro, NC | 5 | 38 | 129 | 90 | 104 | 122 |
71 (53.55) | Burlington, VT | 96 | 128 | 3 | 88 | 72 | 27 |
72 (53.51) | Knoxville, TN | 38 | 34 | 125 | 118 | 43 | 39 |
73 (53.10) | Columbus, OH | 63 | 105 | 112 | 50 | 70 | 86 |
74 (52.99) | Long Beach, CA | 130 | 23 | 14 | 62 | 121 | 119 |
75 (52.72) | Rochester, NY | 109 | 95 | 71 | 71 | 122 | 2 |
76 (52.62) | Buffalo, NY | 106 | 100 | 53 | 58 | 140 | 23 |
77 (52.55) | Cheyenne, WY | 15 | 121 | 95 | 33 | 56 | 83 |
78 (52.55) | Anaheim, CA | 139 | 18 | 7 | 69 | 94 | 124 |
79 (52.42) | Denver, CO | 50 | 104 | 39 | 132 | 80 | 64 |
80 (52.39) | Fort Worth, TX | 107 | 48 | 63 | 52 | 49 | 143 |
81 (52.33) | Tulsa, OK | 26 | 77 | 108 | 122 | 39 | 103 |
82 (52.26) | Dover, DE | 87 | 85 | 99 | 86 | 74 | 41 |
83 (52.20) | Columbus, GA | 49 | 56 | 140 | 53 | 114 | 66 |
84 (52.12) | Syracuse, NY | 113 | 110 | 48 | 49 | 144 | 4 |
85 (52.00) | Las Cruces, NM | 55 | 81 | 70 | 120 | 102 | 78 |
86 (51.95) | Corpus Christi, TX | 80 | 28 | 120 | 72 | 54 | 136 |
87 (51.69) | Billings, MT | 54 | 83 | 116 | 97 | 34 | 111 |
88 (51.46) | Anchorage, AK | 42 | 55 | 88 | 79 | 65 | 77 |
89 (51.43) | Aurora, CO | 34 | 98 | 36 | 114 | 99 | 139 |
90 (51.35) | Casper, WY | 1 | 133 | 119 | 19 | 86 | 76 |
91 (51.33) | Bridgeport, CT | 140 | 99 | 12 | 11 | 147 | 61 |
92 (51.20) | Akron, OH | 88 | 106 | 103 | 80 | 84 | 54 |
93 (51.12) | Lewiston, ME | 93 | 146 | 137 | 21 | 22 | 44 |
94 (51.12) | Mobile, AL | 57 | 27 | 131 | 100 | 109 | 38 |
95 (50.96) | Providence, RI | 138 | 136 | 38 | 20 | 82 | 51 |
96 (50.96) | Modesto, CA | 122 | 88 | 97 | 46 | 79 | 97 |
97 (50.90) | Lubbock, TX | 72 | 14 | 92 | 121 | 69 | 141 |
98 (50.67) | Wichita, KS | 81 | 107 | 100 | 91 | 59 | 110 |
99 (50.65) | Wilmington, DE | 73 | 73 | 102 | 113 | 127 | 7 |
100 (50.62) | Sacramento, CA | 119 | 64 | 47 | 99 | 92 | 102 |
101 (50.45) | Richmond, VA | 36 | 140 | 135 | 59 | 55 | 71 |
102 (50.44) | Houston, TX | 112 | 25 | 57 | 131 | 66 | 108 |
103 (50.38) | Oakland, CA | 61 | 82 | 4 | 143 | 137 | 98 |
104 (50.31) | Louisville, KY | 46 | 101 | 113 | 109 | 119 | 68 |
105 (50.10) | Huntington, WV | 12 | 69 | 130 | 61 | 115 | 31 |
106 (50.02) | Cincinnati, OH | 97 | 86 | 122 | 87 | 128 | 19 |
107 (49.88) | Dallas, TX | 132 | 66 | 59 | 106 | 27 | 107 |
108 (49.78) | Springfield, MA | 125 | 120 | 84 | 41 | 136 | 49 |
109 (49.59) | Topeka, KS | 99 | 102 | 124 | 83 | 68 | 21 |
110 (49.42) | Riverside, CA | 127 | 67 | 55 | 85 | 37 | 142 |
111 (48.66) | Indianapolis, IN | 14 | 125 | 139 | 103 | 83 | 120 |
112 (48.41) | Tucson, AZ | 89 | 115 | 73 | 129 | 90 | 99 |
113 (48.29) | Tacoma, WA | 101 | 76 | 40 | 141 | 87 | 52 |
114 (48.25) | Fresno, CA | 118 | 53 | 79 | 95 | 118 | 137 |
115 (48.15) | Rapid City, SD | 60 | 122 | 142 | 89 | 41 | 113 |
116 (48.07) | Gulfport, MS | 131 | 75 | 98 | 78 | 85 | 117 |
117 (47.98) | Nashville, TN | 110 | 117 | 106 | 127 | 23 | 90 |
118 (47.23) | Dayton, OH | 64 | 97 | 114 | 133 | 135 | 30 |
119 (46.86) | Albuquerque, NM | 91 | 116 | 111 | 139 | 26 | 74 |
120 (46.43) | Fairbanks, AK | 18 | 137 | 50 | 98 | 112 | 87 |
121 (46.41) | Norfolk, VA | 78 | 127 | 148 | 92 | 45 | 112 |
122 (46.21) | Rutland, VT | 7 | 131 | 66 | 115 | 103 | 25 |
123 (45.97) | Little Rock, AR | 31 | 94 | 107 | 146 | 97 | 69 |
124 (45.90) | Philadelphia, PA | 123 | 141 | 121 | 101 | 57 | 58 |
125 (45.88) | Bakersfield, CA | 115 | 78 | 110 | 84 | 120 | 147 |
126 (45.62) | Montgomery, AL | 108 | 43 | 142 | 116 | 108 | 40 |
127 (45.36) | Kansas City, MO | 116 | 59 | 104 | 138 | 91 | 105 |
128 (45.36) | New Haven, CT | 143 | 114 | 49 | 73 | 139 | 18 |
129 (44.98) | Birmingham, AL | 111 | 31 | 117 | 144 | 96 | 67 |
130 (44.96) | Baltimore, MD | 48 | 144 | 146 | 105 | 124 | 82 |
131 (44.44) | Chicago, IL | 148 | 61 | 68 | 45 | 126 | 33 |
132 (44.25) | Charleston, WV | 135 | 37 | 136 | 117 | 63 | 46 |
133 (43.91) | Milwaukee, WI | 137 | 123 | 93 | 124 | 101 | 81 |
134 (43.75) | Cleveland, OH | 121 | 132 | 101 | 134 | 129 | 89 |
135 (43.57) | Fort Smith, AR | 136 | 29 | 128 | 130 | 113 | 63 |
136 (43.33) | Hartford, CT | 147 | 108 | 15 | 63 | 146 | 5 |
137 (42.22) | Stockton, CA | 141 | 96 | 96 | 94 | 111 | 146 |
138 (41.99) | Kansas City, KS | 142 | 145 | 105 | 111 | 62 | 70 |
139 (40.11) | Baton Rouge, LA | 45 | 119 | 134 | 145 | 142 | 132 |
140 (40.04) | New Orleans, LA | 128 | 148 | 118 | 142 | 143 | 16 |
141 (39.92) | Toledo, OH | 129 | 143 | 138 | 93 | 134 | 125 |
142 (38.69) | Memphis, TN | 67 | 126 | 132 | 148 | 117 | 130 |
143 (37.18) | Shreveport, LA | 144 | 87 | 144 | 104 | 138 | 94 |
144 (37.12) | Flint, MI | 25 | 142 | 145 | 128 | 141 | 75 |
145 (35.72) | St. Louis, MO | 134 | 147 | 147 | 147 | 93 | 20 |
146 (35.05) | Gary, IN | 53 | 130 | 126 | 112 | 148 | 145 |
147 (31.57) | Jackson, MS | 146 | 111 | 133 | 137 | 116 | 128 |
148 (30.11) | Detroit, MI | 145 | 134 | 141 | 140 | 145 | 129 |
Notes: *No. 1 = Best-Run
With the exception of “Quality of City Services” score, all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.
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?
- What can citizens do to increase the transparency and accountability of local government?
- In evaluating how well a city is run, what are the top 5 indicators?
- What, in your opinion, are the areas that need improvement when it comes to cities’ emergency preparedness and response?
- How can local policymakers reduce racial tensions in the wake of recent movements?
Ask the Experts
University of California, Riverside Political Science Department (1965-); Mayor of Riverside (1994-2012); President of California League of Cities (2004) and National League of Cities (2010); Fellow in the National Academy of Public Administration (2010)
Read More
Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs and Administration – Rutgers University
Read More
Director, Civic Leaders Center; Professor of Practice, Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs – Indiana University
Read More
Associate Professor, Department of Politics – University of Virginia
Read More
Ph.D. – Associate Professor, College of Business and Management – Lynn University
Read More
Associate Professor & Director, Center for Urban Innovation, School of Public Affairs – Arizona State University
Read More
Methodology
In order to determine the best- and worst-run cities in America, WalletHub compared 148 of the most populated cities across six key categories: 1) Financial Stability, 2) Education, 3) Health, 4) Safety, 5) Economy and 6) Infrastructure & Pollution.
We evaluated those dimensions using 36 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest quality of service.
Next, we calculated an overall “Quality of City Services” score for each city based on its weighted average across all the metrics. Finally, for each city, we divided the “Quality of City Services” score by the “Total Budget per Capita” (dollar amount) in order to construct a “Score per Dollar Spent” index — displayed as “Overall Rank” in the Main Findings table above — which we then used to rank-order the cities in our sample.
Financial Stability – Total Points: 16.67
- Moody’s City Credit Rating: Quadruple Weight (~13.33 Points)
- Outstanding Long-Term Debt per Capita: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
Education – Total Points: 16.67
- K–12 School-System Quality: Double Weight (~11.11 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of public schools rated by GreatSchools.org with above average score. - High School Graduation Rate: Full Weight (~5.56 Points)
Health – Total Points: 16.67
- Infant Mortality Rate: Quadruple Weight (~6.67 Points)
- Average Life Expectancy (in Years): Quadruple Weight (~6.67 Points)
- Hospital Beds per Capita: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
- Quality of Public Hospital System: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric is based on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ ranking of public hospital systems.
Safety – Total Points: 16.67
- Violent Crime Rate: Quadruple Weight (~4.76 Points)
- Property Crime Rate: Quadruple Weight (~4.76 Points)
- Motor Vehicle Fatalities per Capita: Quadruple Weight (~4.76 Points)
- Share of Sheltered Homeless Persons: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Perception of Safety (Safety walking alone during daylight/night): Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: These data are based on perceptions of visitors of numbeo.com website in the past 3 years.
If the value is 0, it means it is perceived as very low, and if the value is 100, it means it is perceived as very high.
Economy – Total Points: 16.67
- Unemployment Rate: Triple Weight (~3.13 Points)
- Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~1.04 Points)
- Median Annual Household Income (Adjusted for Cost of Living): Double Weight (~2.08 Points)
- Median Annual Income Growth Rate: Double Weight (~2.08 Points)
Note: Growth compares the income level in 2022 versus in 2021. - Annual Job Growth Rate (Adjusted for Population Growth): Double Weight (~2.08 Points)
Note: Growth compares the number of employed civilian population in 2024 versus in 2023. - Share of Population Living in Poverty: Double Weight (~2.08 Points)
- Growth in Number of Businesses: Full Weight (~1.04 Points)
Note: Growth compares the number of businesses in 2021 versus in 2020. - Change in Housing Prices: Full Weight (~1.04 Points)
Note: Change compares the price in 2023 versus in 2019. - Zillow Home Value 1-year Forecast: Full Weight (~1.04 Points)
Note: The Zillow Home Value Forecast is Zillow's prediction of what the Zillow Home Value Index will be one year from now. - Building-Permit Growth: Full Weight (~1.04 Points)
Note: Growth spans 2020 to 2022.
Infrastructure & Pollution – Total Points: 16.67
- Quality of Roads: Quadruple Weight (~3.03 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of major roads in poor and mediocre condition. - Average Commute Time (in Minutes): Full Weight (~0.76 Points)
- Transit Access Shed: Full Weight (~0.76 Points)
Note: “Transit Access Shed” is the total area of land that is easily accessible from any point via public transportation. - Traffic Congestion: Full Weight (~0.76 Points)
- Walk Score: Triple Weight (~2.27 Points)
Note: “Walk Score” measures pedestrian friendliness by analyzing population density and road metrics such as block length and intersection density. - Bike Score: Full Weight (~0.76 Points)
Note: “Bike Score” measures whether an area is good for biking. The Bike Score is calculated by measuring bike infrastructure (lanes, trails, etc.), hills, destinations and road connectivity, and the number of bike commuters. - Transit Score: Half Weight (~0.38 Points)
Note: “Transit Score” is a patented measure of how well a location is served by public transit. - Recreation-Friendliness: Quadruple Weight (~3.03 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Recreation” ranking. - Share of Residents with Access to Internet: Half Weight (~0.38 Points)
- Water Quality: Full Weight (~0.76 Points)
- Air Pollution: Full Weight (~0.76 Points)
- Greenhouse-Gas Emissions per Capita: Full Weight (~0.76 Points)
- Share of Parkland: Triple Weight (~2.27 Points)
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of April 30, 2024 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Council for Community and Economic Research, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Moody's Investors Service, GreatSchools.org, County Health Rankings, Health Resources and Services Administration, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Chmura Economics & Analytics, Zillow, The Road Information Program, Center for Neighborhood Technology, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Walk Score, The Trust for Public Land, INRIX, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Numbeo and WalletHub research.
WalletHub experts are widely quoted. Contact our media team to schedule an interview.