Midwestern Small Cities in MI, WI, MN Top List of Most Livable in the U.S.

Lakeville, MN was noted for having the lowest poverty rate nationwide.Photo bySander WeetelingonUnsplash

A recent ranking by SmartAsset has named the most livable small cities in the U.S., with Midwestern towns dominating the top spots. The study analyzed 281 small cities across the country, considering factors such as housing affordability, commute times, and poverty rates.

• Troy, MI was ranked the most livable small city, largely due to its affordable housing. Residents spend an average of just 15.0% of their median household income of $109,444 on housing costs.
• Rochester Hills, MI and Eau Claire, WI followed closely in second and third place, respectively. Other Midwestern cities in the top 10 include Appleton, WI; Plymouth, MN; Livonia, MI; and Oshkosh, WI.
• In contrast, small cities in Florida and New Jersey faced the highest housing costs. Lauderhill, FL topped the list, with residents spending 40.9% of their income on housing. Other cities with similarly high housing costs include Kissimmee, FL and Lakewood, NJ.
• Lakeville, MN was noted for having the lowest poverty rate nationwide, with only 2.3% of its residents living below the poverty line. This is significantly lower than the national median of 11.3%.
• Champaign, IL stood out for having the shortest average commute time at just 13.2 minutes. Meanwhile, residents of Tracy, CA endure the longest commutes, averaging 45.1 minutes.