The Municipal Top 10: Best-run cities in America
The larger the city, the more complex it becomes to manage. Well-run cities aren’t just the product of efficient budgeting, safe streets or even abundant resources; it’s also about representing the residents and balancing their diverse interests.
Not everyone’s needs can be met, and municipal leaders must carefully consider which services are most essential, which agencies’ budgets to cut or boost and whether and how much to raise taxes, among other decisions.
WalletHub surveyed four experts in government, public policy, political science and economic issues and asked them to evaluate the operating efficiency of 150 of the largest U.S. cities.
WalletHub constructed a score made up of 38 metrics grouped into six service categories, which were measured against the city’s per capita budget. The top 10 best-managed cities are:
- Nampa, Idaho
- Boise, Idaho
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Nashua, New Hampshire
- Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Missoula, Montana
- Durham, North Carolina