articleThe Brief WalletHub ranked 1,318 small U.S. cities on affordability, health, safety, and quality of life. Methodology:To determine the best small cities in America, WalletHub conducted a comprehensive study of 1,318 communities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000. What they're saying:"Moving from a bustling metropolis to a small city could drastically cut down your cost of living," analyst Chip Lupo said online. While small cities may lack some advantages of big cities, like robust public transportation systems, they make up for these shortcomings in other areas." Carmel, Indiana, ranks as the best small city to live in, thanks to a combination of strong economic performance, health outcomes, and safety.