Princeton Among America’s 'Best Small Cities' In 2022

PRINCETON, NJ — The Municipality was featured high in new rankings released this week, highlighting America's best small cities.

WalletHub's 2022 Best Small Cities to Live in America list focused on 1,319 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000. They consulted 43 metrics to assign an overall score based on each area's affordability, economic strength, education and health, quality of life and safety.

Princeton was ranked 20th overall and in the 98th percentile of all cities analyzed. Another New Jersey borough, Fair Lawn, was named 3rd best small city to live in.

According to experts, smaller cities offer more affordable housing prices and shorter, cheaper commutes if they own a car.

While many might disagree about housing affordability and cost of living in Princeton, the fact remains that since the pandemic, nearly half of Americans (46 percent) said they would prefer to live in the suburbs, according to WalletHub.

“Small-city life can be best for those who appreciate more wiggle room, fewer degrees of separation and shorter commutes, to name just a few of its advantages,” Nick Finio, Associate Director & Assistant Research Professor, National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education, University of Maryland said.

Although you’d end up saving more if you live in a small city as compared to a large one, people might have access to fewer cultural activities and the absence of mass transit could be a drawback, WalletHub said.

To read more about the methodology, click here.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com