The Brief

WalletHub ranked 1,318 small U.S. cities on affordability, health, safety, and quality of life.

Carmel, Indiana, claimed the top spot with strong incomes, low unemployment, and safe streets.

Brookfield, Wisconsin, and Apex, North Carolina, followed in second and third place.

WalletHub has released its list of the best small towns in America.

By the numbers:

According to researchers, nearly half of Americans say the suburbs are their ideal place to live, with 47% preferring suburban communities over urban (24%) or rural (23%) areas, according to recent findings.

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.

The analysis focused strictly on "city proper

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