Goldilocks wasn’t the only one searching for something that’s “just right.” When looking for a place to live, many Americans want a location that isn’t too big or too small.

If urban centers such as New York and Los Angeles are overwhelming and rural towns are too sleepy, there are many small cities across the U.S. that could be the perfect fit.

NerdWallet crunched the numbers to find the best small cities in America — places that hit the mark in three key areas: economic health, affordability and quality of life. To do this, we looked at over 1,300 cities with less than 75,000 residents and used data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

Key takeaways

Midwest is best. The low cost of living, reasonable commutes and economies boosted by jobs in health care, education and technology manufacturing helped cities in the Midwest perform well.

College towns rule. Many cities in the top 10 are home to at least one college or university. Others have a mix of public, private and technical schools. These institutions are a draw for residents and employers.

Best small cities in America

1. Moorhead, Minnesota

Moorhead residents get the perks of a small city — affordable housing and a good work-life balance, for example — plus the added economic boost from Fargo, North Dakota, its big neighbor across the river. The city’s unemployment rate in February was about 3%, which is below the national average of 5.5%. Workers aren’t plagued by long hours or long commutes, giving them time for their families and communities.

2. Winona, Minnesota

If the scenery in Winona doesn’t win you over, the short workweeks and low cost of living might. Set amid the bluffs along the mighty Mississippi River, Winona’s median rent was nearly half of the average median rent of cities in this study. And with an average workweek of just 32.5 hours, residents have time to enjoy all the city has to offer, including the annual Dixieland Jazz Festival and Winona Steamboat Days, a weeklong festival that includes a car show, parade and fireworks display.

3. Marion, Indiana

With a population of about 29,000 people, Marion might be small, but its art scene is big. The city is home to the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra, a community arts school that offers dance, cooking and acting classes. The area also has multiple performing arts venues, including the Marion Civic Theatre, a staple in the community for over six decades. Most residents can afford to enjoy the entertainment options thanks to the city’s low cost of living. The median home value in Marion is $64,000, and the median monthly homeowner cost, which includes payments for a mortgage, insurance, taxes and utilities, is $744, which is lower than any other city in this study.

4. Cedar Falls, Iowa

A diverse job market that includes health care, education and manufacturing has helped keep residents employed and wages strong in Cedar Falls. Residents have short commutes, about 13 minutes on average, and a good work-life balance. Workers log an average of 33.2 hours weekly, leaving ample opportunities to enjoy the Cedar Valley region’s 94 parks, 13 museums and 10 performing arts venues.

5. Mankato, Minnesota

The third in the trio of Minnesota cities to land in the top five, Mankato packs a lot into its 17.91 square miles. Galleries, sculpture displays and theaters populate this regional art and culture hub, and miles of biking and hiking paths stretch far beyond the city limits. Mankato isn’t all play, though. The city’s jobless rate has consistently been lower than the national average, thanks in part to major employers such as the Mayo Clinic Health System and Minnesota State University’s Mankato campus.

6. Wooster, Ohio

A low cost of living and strong job market are just two factors that help Wooster shine. Median rent in Wooster falls well below the average median for the cities we analyzed. Higher education institutions, such as the College of Wooster and Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute, keep this city of about 26,300 people buzzing with young, ambitious residents.

7. Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Neighborhood gardens, free art exhibits and a vibrant downtown give Stevens Point a strong community vibe and contribute to the high quality of life. Almost 13% of the city’s residents walk to work, and the average commute time is about 15 minutes. With an average workweek of 33.4 hours, those living in this small riverfront city have time to enjoy the simple things in life, like a beer at one of the area’s many breweries or a bike ride along the Green Circle Trail.

8. Marquette, Michigan

Marquette is one of the snowiest cities in America, averaging almost 15 feet of the white stuff annually, but that doesn’t stop residents from hoofing it. Here, about 16% of residents walk to work, and the average commute time for all workers is just shy of 11 minutes. When the snow melts, Marquette’s 21,500 residents can explore the beaches, parks and waterfalls in and around the city.

9. Terre Haute, Indiana

Terre Haute is the largest city in the top 10, and it’s also one of the most affordable. The median home value hovers around $77,200, compared with an average median value of $221,817 for the cities in this study. And the median monthly homeowner cost in Terre Haute of $823 was well below the overall average of $1,677. Two universities — Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology — call Terre Haute home and help contribute to the city’s level of employment.

10. Helena, Montana

The capital of Big Sky Country, Helena offers a host of recreational activities and natural beauty for residents and visitors alike. The city boasts high employment coupled with an average workweek of 37 hours and a commute time of 13.4 minutes. The largest employer is the state government, giving the city a stable economic foundation.

Best small cities in America

Rank	City	Population growth 2007-2013	Population unemployed	Median household income	Residents at poverty level	Average commute to work in minutes	Mean hours worked per week	Median rent	Score
			in 2013
1	Moorhead, Minnesota	16.50%	4.60%	$47,442	15%	15.4	35.1	$688	76.9
2	Winona, Minnesota	6.10%	7.00%	$38,198	21%	13.9	32.5	$516	75.3
3	Marion, Indiana	0.50%	5.90%	$31,700	28%	16.8	34.5	$567	74.8
4	Cedar Falls, Iowa	4.50%	4.90%	$51,921	21%	13.2	33.2	$739	74.7
5	Mankato, Minnesota	12.60%	4.70%	$41,032	27%	14.9	33.2	$677	74.6
6	Wooster, Ohio	3.40%	3.60%	$39,022	20%	17.7	35	$656	74.5
7	Stevens Point, Wisconsin	9.60%	6.90%	$38,449	26%	15.3	33.4	$647	74.1
8	Marquette, Michigan	4.00%	5.20%	$34,798	28%	10.8	33.1	$647	74
9	Terre Haute, Indiana	5.50%	5.90%	$31,597	27%	17.6	34.6	$660	74
10	Helena, Montana	8.30%	2.70%	$49,375	14%	13.4	37	$694	73.9
11	Searcy, Arkansas	11.90%	3.20%	$39,559	19%	18	36	$613	73.9
12	La Crosse, Wisconsin	0.90%	4.30%	$41,090	24%	14.8	33.8	$705	73.8
13	Holland, Michigan	5.80%	5.30%	$43,532	19%	17.5	35	$787	73.5
14	Auburn, New York	15.10%	6.30%	$36,690	20%	16.7	36.3	$624	73.2
15	Normal, Illinois	8.10%	4.10%	$53,053	26%	16.8	32.7	$794	73
16	Laramie, Wyoming	18.00%	3.60%	$37,446	30%	11.1	36	$714	73
17	Logan, Utah	3.90%	5.90%	$35,770	28%	13.6	32.8	$650	72.6
18	Galesburg, Illinois	-1.10%	4.80%	$31,794	26%	15.5	36.5	$569	72
19	Manhattan, Kansas	7.70%	3.10%	$42,512	26%	15.5	34.7	$848	71.9
20	Cedar City, Utah	14.30%	8.80%	$41,757	20%	16.8	35.1	$617	71.7
21	Iowa City, Iowa	7.80%	3.00%	$40,996	28%	16.7	34	$831	71.6
22	Wheeling, West Virginia	-4.00%	3.80%	$35,702	18%	18.1	36.7	$523	71.5
23	Kearney, Nebraska	8.40%	2.50%	$47,729	17%	12.6	37.3	$693	71.2
24	Moscow, Idaho	7.60%	6.90%	$33,403	27%	13.2	33.2	$647	71.1
25	Emporia, Kansas	-5.40%	4.60%	$35,854	27%	14.5	35.5	$560	70.8
26	Kingsville, Texas	4.40%	7.60%	$35,692	29%	15.1	35.1	$706	70.8
27	Dubuque, Iowa	2.10%	3.70%	$44,415	16%	15.8	37	$690	70.6
28	Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania	4.60%	5.40%	$31,280	28%	19.5	35.9	$630	70.5
29	Ashland, Ohio	-2.30%	5.70%	$39,175	15%	19.5	36.9	$665	70.3
30	Bowling Green, Ohio	5.40%	7.00%	$35,595	30%	15.7	31.9	$629	70.3
31	Salem, Virginia	0.00%	3.10%	$44,177	14%	16.5	35.8	$814	70.1
32	Rock Island, Illinois	5.00%	6.30%	$39,344	24%	17.8	35.3	$661	70.1
33	Walla Walla, Washington	1.10%	5.30%	$40,697	24%	12.7	35.9	$729	70
34	Pocatello, Idaho	4.60%	4.80%	$40,434	20%	16.6	36.4	$598	70
35	Mason City, Iowa	-0.10%	3.20%	$40,851	16%	14.4	37.5	$598	69.7
36	Aberdeen, South Dakota	14.40%	2.70%	$47,283	11%	11.1	39.6	$592	69.6
37	Grand Forks, North Dakota	5.90%	3.30%	$43,647	20%	12.6	35.7	$690	69.5
38	Nacogdoches, Texas	13.00%	5.50%	$31,593	29%	15.9	36.9	$714	69.5
39	Bozeman, Montana	11.60%	6.10%	$47,354	20%	12.8	35.9	$832	69.5
40	Missoula, Montana	8.60%	7.00%	$41,319	20%	14.3	35.1	$748	69.3
41	Columbus, Nebraska	4.40%	3.90%	$47,265	11%	12.5	39.6	$616	69.2
42	Rome, New York	-3.80%	3.50%	$41,180	18%	18.1	37.3	$690	69.2
43	Bowling Green, Kentucky	13.20%	6.00%	$32,202	29%	15.9	35.4	$649	69.1
44	Sierra Vista, Arizona	17.20%	4.20%	$58,040	14%	14.9	39.8	$921	69
45	Superior, Wisconsin	1.60%	5.80%	$39,261	23%	15.3	35.4	$673	68.9
46	Eau Claire, Wisconsin	3.40%	5.00%	$42,711	18%	16.6	35.3	$713	68.9
47	St. Cloud, Minnesota	4.00%	5.70%	$44,715	25%	18	34.8	$706	68.7
48	Jamestown, New York	-1.60%	6.90%	$31,160	29%	15.2	36.8	$601	68.4
49	Oshkosh, Wisconsin	0.30%	3.70%	$41,493	20%	16.8	35.7	$656	68.3
50	Appleton, Wisconsin	2.30%	3.00%	$52,391	11%	17.6	37.5	$648	68.1
51	Niagara Falls, New York	2.70%	7.20%	$31,450	27%	18.3	36.1	$618	68
52	Lewiston, Idaho	1.80%	3.40%	$43,460	10%	15.3	37.5	$628	67.7
53	Georgetown, Kentucky	23.10%	4.80%	$59,544	12%	18.7	39.2	$728	67.6
54	De Pere, Wisconsin	0.90%	4.50%	$58,733	8%	17.7	37.5	$831	67.4
55	Cape Girardeau, Missouri	2.80%	5.60%	$38,128	26%	14.8	36	$650	67.4
56	Cumberland, Maryland	-4.70%	5.90%	$30,609	23%	15.9	36.4	$562	67.3
57	Altoona, Pennsylvania	-2.60%	5.70%	$35,290	22%	16	36.2	$554	67.3
58	Russellville, Arkansas	6.50%	6.20%	$35,229	27%	13.2	36.2	$646	67.2
59	Newark, Delaware	8.00%	2.50%	$52,710	27%	21.8	31.6	$976	67.1
60	Prescott, Arizona	-6.00%	4.30%	$42,181	17%	17.6	35.2	$772	67.1
61	Owensboro, Kentucky	8.80%	4.80%	$39,415	19%	14.9	38.2	$634	67
62	Newberg, Oregon	17.60%	7.20%	$52,336	16%	23.2	36	$902	67
63	Manitowoc, Wisconsin	-0.80%	5.40%	$40,695	13%	15.5	38	$619	67
64	Bangor, Maine	8.80%	5.40%	$33,820	27%	14.6	36.5	$728	67
65	Watertown, South Dakota	11.10%	2.30%	$45,112	11%	13.9	38.9	$603	66.9
66	Norfolk, Nebraska	4.10%	3.60%	$42,471	16%	13.6	38.2	$583	66.8
67	Florence, Alabama	11.10%	4.00%	$36,688	25%	17.9	35.1	$556	66.8
68	Great Falls, Montana	1.20%	4.20%	$42,487	20%	14.1	37.7	$608	66.7
69	West Fargo, North Dakota	35.40%	1.20%	$66,747	7%	16.7	39.6	$711	66.7
70	Austin, Minnesota	8.50%	6.60%	$40,267	19%	12.9	36.9	$672	66.7
71	Neenah, Wisconsin	12.40%	3.80%	$51,737	12%	17.5	37.6	$672	66.7
72	Goshen, Indiana	1.40%	5.60%	$40,746	23%	16.9	37.8	$747	66.6
73	Hazleton, Pennsylvania	14.60%	8.50%	$29,623	26%	18.5	37.5	$644	66.4
74	Quincy, Illinois	1.20%	5.40%	$38,805	20%	14.2	37.9	$593	66.3
75	Staunton, Virginia	2.50%	4.50%	$38,151	19%	19	36.8	$753	66.3
76	Coeur d’Alene, Idaho	13.80%	5.90%	$40,440	15%	17.7	36.6	$771	66.3
77	Marion, Iowa	18.90%	3.40%	$64,582	6%	18.6	38.5	$642	66.2
78	Richland, Washington	18.40%	4.00%	$68,825	10%	19.8	37.4	$872	66.2
79	McMinnville, Oregon	8.30%	7.30%	$41,535	21%	19	36.2	$863	66.1
80	Bartlesville, Oklahoma	4.50%	3.40%	$47,928	18%	15	38.7	$634	66.1
81	Burlington, Vermont	9.60%	5.80%	$43,620	24%	17.1	33.1	$987	66
82	Flagstaff, Arizona	6.30%	5.50%	$47,232	25%	15.8	34.8	$1,033	66
83	Biddeford, Maine	-11.40%	3.70%	$46,972	14%	22.4	35.6	$847	66
84	Keene, New Hampshire	-3.50%	6.00%	$50,589	17%	15.7	35.4	$993	65.9
85	Rapid City, South Dakota	11.70%	3.80%	$46,244	16%	15.2	38.5	$755	65.9
86	Northampton, Massachusetts	0.60%	5.00%	$57,908	15%	21.1	33.6	$923	65.9
87	Butte-Silver Bow, Montana	4.30%	5.00%	$38,347	20%	15.5	37.9	$620	65.9
88	Jefferson City, Missouri	5.50%	3.30%	$45,947	18%	14.8	38.4	$570	65.8
89	Corvallis, Oregon	7.00%	5.30%	$39,483	30%	18.3	32.2	$825	65.8
90	Springville, Utah	19.20%	3.40%	$58,333	8%	20.7	36	$895	65.8
91	Alliance, Ohio	3.10%	9.60%	$32,265	26%	18.1	36	$617	65.7
92	Kaysville, Utah	13.00%	3.00%	$84,125	7%	23.3	35.5	$639	65.6
93	Schenectady, New York	6.00%	6.90%	$36,947	25%	22.8	36.1	$805	65.6
94	Idaho Falls, Idaho	10.30%	4.60%	$44,195	15%	16.7	37.3	$666	65.6
95	Hays, Kansas	5.90%	3.90%	$40,492	19%	11	37.9	$616	65.5
96	Burlington, Iowa	0.60%	5.20%	$37,042	19%	14.7	37.3	$655	65.4
97	Ashland, Oregon	1.50%	6.20%	$46,586	17%	17	32.6	$923	65.3
98	Winter Haven, Florida	19.40%	7.10%	$37,583	17%	21.4	37.2	$751	65.3
99	Findlay, Ohio	2.40%	7.10%	$40,739	22%	15.1	36.6	$620	65.3
100	Marshalltown, Iowa	4.50%	5.00%	$49,192	15%	15.5	38.4	$636	65.3