MA Communities Dominate Small City Rankings

LEXINGTON, MA — A Massachusetts community tops a new ranking of the best small cities to live in across the United States.

Lexington ranked No. 1 in WalletHub's 2026 analysis of more than 1,300 small cities nationwide. The study compared cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 using 45 measures covering affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life and safety.

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WalletHub highlighted Lexington's safety and household finances. The community had the fourth-lowest property crime rate and 21st-lowest violent crime rate among the cities analyzed. It also ranked 12th for fewest motor vehicle crash deaths and 17th for fewest alcohol-impaired driving fatalities per capita.

Lexington has one of the highest median annual household incomes in the country at over $238,000, along with one of the best school systems in the country, WalletHub found.

Massachusetts had several other communities near the top of WalletHub's rankings: Milton was 7th, Arlington was 8th, Needham was 21st, Melrose was 27th and Belmont was 28th.

Here's the full top 10:

1. Lexington, MA
2. Brookfield, WI
3. Carmel, IN
4. Apex, NC
5. Saratoga Springs, NY
6. Westfield, IN
7. Milton, MA
8. Arlington, MA
9. Franklin, TN
10. Fishers, IN

WalletHub said it evaluated 1,318 cities and assigned scores across five equally weighted categories. Its data were collected as of Sept. 1, 2026, from government agencies, private data providers and WalletHub research.

Read the full WalletHub Best Small Cities in America analysis.

See also:

Here Are The Best Places To Live In MA, New Ranking Says

Can You Afford To Live In Boston? Here's How Much You Need To Make To Live Comfortably In The City

Massachusetts' Best High Schools Ranked In New Analysis