Shelton, Stratford, Norwalk, Manchester, West Hartford Ranked Among Best Small Cities in US

With post-COVID changes unfolding in individual preferences for living in urban, suburban or rural areas across the country, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released its report on 2023’s Best Small Cities in America.

The highest-ranking Connecticut community on the list is Shelton, the only Connecticut locale to attain a spot in the top 100, at number 99.  Ranking in the top 200 nationally were Stratford (155) and Norwalk (185).  Also ranking among the nation’s top 500 are Manchester (312), West Hartford (314), Wethersfield (316), bunched closely together, followed by Naugatuck (330), Danbury (359), Middletown (410),  Newington (441) and Milford (491).

To help Americans put down roots in places offering good quality of life and affordability, WalletHub compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 across 45 key indicators of livability. They range from housing costs and school-system quality to restaurants per capita and the crime rate.

In order to determine the best small cities in America, WalletHub compared 1,321 cities across five key dimensions: 1) Affordability, 2) Economic Health, 3) Education & Health, 4) Quality of Life and 5) Safety. Communities with population sizes between 25,000 and 100,000 were considered.  A total of 21 Connecticut communities were included. 

"Connecticut's small cities are spread throughout WalletHub's ranking, with Shelton, Stratford and Norwalk placing in top 200. For example, Shelton ranks 1st for the smallest percentage of people who had a bankruptcy in the last year and 37th for the lowest violent crime rate per capita,” explained senior analyst, Jill Gonzalez.

“Overall,” Gonzalez noted, “Connecticut's small cities' housing markets could use a lot of improvement. On the brightside, many have low crime rates, which makes them some of the safest small cities."

The top 10 nationwide:  1) Carmel, IN;  2) Lexington, MA;  3) Brentwood, TN ; 4) Westfield, IN;  5) Fishers, IN;  6) Fair Lawn, NJ;  7) Milton, MA;  8) Melrose, MA;  9) Saratoga Springs, NY; and 10) Brookfield, WI.

An addition nine Connecticut communities were ranked on the list:  Bristol (532), Torrington (619), New London (627), Norwich (724), West Haen (820), Meriden (836), East Haven (901), East Hartford (978), and New Britain (1,046).

“Near the bottom are East Haven, East Hartford and New Britain. In terms of median household income, New Britain places 1081st, with only $50,379. Meanwhile, 14.16% of houses in East Hartford are burdened by severe housing costs, pushing the small city down to the 1175th spot, ” Gonzalez explained.

When asked what local policymakers do to attract and retain new residents in small cities, Georgette Chapman Phillips, Dean of the College of Business, Lehigh University, said:  “Make sure your city retains the right amenities for the residents-parks/recreation, performing arts, academically superior public education, are a few that come to mind. People buy a ‘bundle’ when they invest in their home. It starts with the house but it doesn't end there.”