With the 2024 election approaching and residents evaluating the effectiveness of their local leadership, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2024's Best- and Worst-Run Cities in America, as well as expert commentary, to help inform the electorate.
To determine the effectiveness of local leadership, WalletHub compared 148 of the largest U.S. cities based on their operating efficiency. For each city, WalletHub calculated a "Quality of City Services" score - comprising 36 key performance indicators grouped into six service categories - and compared that score against the city's total per-capita budget.
| Top 20 Best-Run Cities in America |
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| 1. Nampa, ID |
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11. Raleigh, NC |
| 2. Lexington-Fayette, KY |
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12. Columbus, GA |
| 3. Boise, ID |
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13. Warwick, RI |
| 4. Nashua, NH |
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14. Las Cruces, NM |
| 5. Oklahoma City, OK |
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15. Missoula, MT |
| 6. Durham, NC |
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16. Billings, MT |
| 7. Provo, UT |
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17. Huntington, WV |
| 8. Fort Wayne, IN |
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18. Manchester, NH |
| 9. Sioux Falls, SD |
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19. Bismarck, ND |
| 10. Wichita, KS |
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20. Baton Rouge, LA |
Best vs. Worst
- Nampa, Idaho, has the lowest long-term debt outstanding per capita, which is 57.5 times lower than in San Francisco, California, the city with the highest.
- Warwick, Rhode Island, has the fewest violent crimes (per 1,000 residents), which is 31.9 times fewer than in Memphis, Tennessee, the city with the most.
- Miami and Hialeah, Florida, have the lowest unemployment rate, which is 6.4 times lower than in Flint, Michigan, the city with the highest.
- Fremont, California, has the lowest share of the population living in poverty, which is 6.3 times lower than in Flint, Michigan, the city with the highest.
To view the full report and your city's rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-run-cities/22869
Expert Commentary
In your opinion, what are the most important issues facing US cities today?
"Issues relating to housing (unhoused populations, affordability, density) seem to be some of the most important for cities of all sizes across the country. Public safety, transportation, economic development, and environmental issues also continue to rank high."
Paul Helmke - Director, Civic Leaders Center; Professor, Indiana University
"A challenge for US cities is to create and sustain the kind of economic ecosystem that attracts new private sector investment, supports innovation, and appeals to skilled workers. Cities have long prioritized these goals, sometimes extending tax breaks to private companies at the expense of funding vital public services such as education. In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, cities must reevaluate their approach to economic development. With remote work seemingly here to stay, the logic by which firms and skilled workers choose their location is changing. Previously vibrant cities now grapple with how to adapt to this new reality. Cities that struggled in the past, including those further away from urban centers, perhaps have new opportunities to attract investment."
Sonal Pandya - Associate Professor, University of Virginia
What can citizens do to increase the transparency and accountability of local government?
"Citizens can take several actions to increase the transparency and accountability of local government. I think the most important thing is actively participating in a community. Something as simple as regularly attending city council meetings, town halls, and other public forums to stay informed and participate in discussions that will affect you and your family. Join local boards, commissions, and advisory committees to contribute to decision-making processes and provide oversight to local representatives. Engage and communicate with local elected officials through emails, phone calls, or social media to express your concerns and provide feedback on policies and issues that are important to you. Finally, and this is the most important one: Vote! That is really the most important way to influence governance and ensure that we have leaders that prioritize transparency and accountability."
Cleopatra Charles - Associate Professor, Rutgers University
"With the decline in local newspapers and media oversight, citizens need to demand even more of local government. Meetings should be live-streamed and held at accessible times in order to encourage citizen participation. Local bloggers need to be encouraged to report on public events. Elected officials should hold regular 'Mayor's Night In' or 'Mayor's Night Out' sessions (or similar events) to open up access to top elected officials to the general public. Internal and external audits need to be conducted regularly and made public to provide financial reviews. 'Community Oriented Government' programs that allow input and some decision-making at the neighborhood or area level help build confidence in what is being done."
Sonal Pandya - Associate Professor, University of Virginia
What, in your opinion, are the areas that need improvement when it comes to cities' emergency preparedness and response?
"Lack of coordination between different governmental jurisdictions is often one of the areas that needs the most improvement with 'emergency preparedness and response' by cities. 'Interoperability' is essential to effective responses."
Paul Helmke - Director, Civic Leaders Center; Professor, Indiana University
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