Study Ranks Sammamish As 2020's 'Best Small City In America'

SAMMAMISH, WA — Sammamish is the best small city in America, at least according to one new study.

For the study, researchers at WalletHub looked at median income, crime data, and 41 other "key indicators of livability" for 1,200-plus small American cities. Only cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 were considered.

Researchers then compiled those indicators into five individual ranks: affordability, economic health, rank, education and health rank, quality of life, and safety. After compiling and weighing all those scores, researchers found that Sammamish had the best overall score, making it the number one best small city in America.

Washington state actually had several small cities on the list. The final ranking for the Best Small Cities To Live in America is:

1. Sammamish, WA
2. Lexington, MA
3. Carmel, IN
4. Needham, MA
5. Sugar Land, TX
6. Milton, MA
7. Brentwood, TN
8. Southlake, TX
9. Cedar Park, TX
10. Redmond, WA
11. Leawood, KS
12. Dublin, OH
13. Arlington, MA
14. Princeton, NJ
15. Castle Rock, CO
16. Westfield, IN
17. Wheaton, IL
18. Kaysville, UT
19. Mason, OH
20. Fishers, IN
21. Brookfield, WI
22. Littleton, CO
23. Leesburg, VA
24. Parker, CO
25. Kirkland, WA
26. Los Altos, CA
27. Bothell, WA
28. Brookline, MA
29. Melrose, MA
30. Saratoga Springs, NY

Of course, Sammamish ranked better in some individual categories than others. It took the number one spot in the economic health ranking, placed 11th in education and health and 34th in safety. However, it fared less well in the other two categories, ranking 146th in affordability and 1171th in quality of life. According to the study's methodology, the "quality of life" ranking largely was determined by average work hours, commute times, and local entertainment like restaurants, bars and clubs per capita. As researchers note, which of these issues is most important to you, should probably hold more sway when determining where to live.

""Best" is such a subjective term that no one should assume that everyone shares their preferences," writes Anthony W. Orlando, Assistant Professor of Real Estate at California State Polytechnic University. "You have to find the best city for you. I love living in a large city, but I have been happy living in smaller cities too. Above all, you should find the city that suits your family's lifestyle -- where you feel comfortable and welcomed and able to experience the things in life that you value most."

See WalletHub's full findings in the graphic below: