Portland ranks among best 20 small cities in US, says WalletHub report

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Out of 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000, Maine’s largest city ranks in the top 20 for livability, according to a study published Tuesday by personal finance website WalletHub.

Portland, with an estimated population of 68,424, was ranked No. 18 by the personal finance website in its 2023 list. That's down from a No. 9 showing in 2022 but still in the 99th percentile.

The southern Maine city's ranking fell between Appleton, Wisc., at No. 17, and Franklin, Tenn., at No. 19.

Portland's high score for quality of life — No. 13 in that category — far exceeded its showing for affordability, No. 1,066.

Overall, the top three consisted of suburban cities: At the top was Carmel, Ind., in suburban Indianapolis, followed by Lexington, Mass., outside Boston, and Brentwood, Tenn., in the Nashville area.

Researchers assessed cities across 45 key indicators of livability running from housing costs and school-system quality to restaurants per capita and the crime rate.

Among other Maine cities on the list, South Portland had the state's second-best showing in the 90th percentile, followed by Bangor in the 64th percentile and Lewiston in the 46th percentile.

Other findings

Findings from the report also include the following.

Los Altos, Calif., has the highest median annual household income, $250,000, which is 11.2 times higher than in Isla Vista, Calif., the city with the lowest at $22,386.

Commack, N.Y., has the lowest share of the population living in poverty, 1.80%, which is 39.7 times lower than in Isla Vista, Calif., the city with the highest at 71.5%

Isla Vista, Calif., has the fewest average hours worked per week, 23.90, which is 1.9 times fewer than in Fort Hood, Texas, the city with the most at 45.60.

Two Colorado cities, Castle Rock and Parker, have the lowest share of adults in fair or poor health, 7% each, which is 4.3 times lower than in Eagle Pass, Texas, the city with the highest at 30%.