The number crunchers at WalletHub are back with a new data study, this time highlighting 2026’s Best- & Worst-Run Cities in America.
For this study, WalletHub analyzed 148 of the nation’s largest cities through the spectrum of a “Quality of City Services” score that judged each city using 36 key performance indicators across six service categories – financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure and pollution. Those results were then compared to each city’s total per-capita budget.
According to the study, the nation’s best run city is Provo, Utah, which was praised for its 3.1% business growth rate, a high school graduation rate of nearly 91%, low crime rates, and low traffic congestion on high-quality roads.
Nampa, Idaho, was named the second best-run city in America, thanks in large part to a long-term outstanding debt per capita of only $902. The city’s low crime and poverty rates and growing business community were also seen as a plus.
Manchester, New Hampshire, was ranked third in the best run cities thanks to its low air pollution levels plus low levels of crime, poverty, traffic congestion, and unemployment.
Rounding out the top 10 cities were Boise, Idaho; Nashua, New Hampshire; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Mesa, Arizona.
“The best-run cities in America use their budgets most effectively to provide high-quality financial security, education, health, safety and transportation to their residents,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst. “Many of the top cities also have a very low amount of outstanding government debt per capita, which can prevent financial troubles in the future.”
However, at the other end of the spectrum, San Francisco was named the nation’s worst run city. Detroit, New York City, Oakland, and Chicago also fell in among the bottom dwellers.
Photo courtesy Downtown Provo
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