The 25 best-run cities in America
Cities and towns throughout the United States vary drastically in terms of how well they are managed and operated on a daily and yearly basis. Those that work efficiently and effectively usually have stronger economies, lower crime rates, and higher median annual incomes.
However, it's important to note that tried-and-true strategies for city management could soon change. A 2025 report from Deloitte found that city governments are increasingly using artificial intelligence for functions like city planning and operations. In the near future, this could impact everything from traffic to air quality within many urban centers. Additionally, pressure is mounting on local political administrations to improve the quality of life for the working class, as evidenced by democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani winning the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor in July 2025.
Urban management strategies may shift even further in the face of climate change and growing housing shortages. Global warming has led to an increase in extreme weather events, like the floods that devastated Central Texas and storms that swamped New York and New Jersey in July 2025—catastrophes that most cities don't have the resources to handle. Meanwhile, many metros don't even have enough housing stock for their citizens, with mayors projecting a need for an additional 2.1 million units by 2030. Housing prices are also becoming untenable for many, with roughly half of U.S. households spending over 30% of their monthly income on housing.
With time, these trends may completely redefine what we think of as a successful city. For now, though, some of the best-run American cities are distinguished by their opportunities for economic growth and education, which in turn increase the quality of services and quality of life for their residents. These cities also tend to attract young professionals as well as older, more experienced professionals looking to start or advance their careers.
To define the best of the best, Stacker listed the 25 best-run U.S. cities using 2025 data from WalletHub's Best- and Worst-Run Cities in America. Cities are ranked by their overall operating efficiency, which is determined by the quality of services and total budget per capita.The factors used to determine the overall quality of city services comprise weighted average scores in six key categories: financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure and pollution.
Read on to learn more about America's best-run cities.
