Most Livable Small Towns

Choosing a hometown is deeply personal, but the essentials of livability — affordable homes, walkable streets, clean air, quality health care and an active civic life — can be measured. For those drawn to the charm and connection of smaller communities, these factors are especially important. The AARP Livability Index^TM platform helps make these qualities visible by evaluating every U.S. neighborhood across seven key categories: Housing, Neighborhood, Transportation, Environment, Health, Engagement and Opportunity.

Below are five of the top-ranked U.S. small communities — that is, those with populations under 25,000. A look at these communities reveals how their scores translate into everyday benefits. Each community’s overall score, which ranges from 23 to 73 for all cities nationwide, is the average of scores in the seven key categories listed above. Each category is scored from zero to 100 and is built from 61 indicator scores (40 metrics that capture present‑day conditions and 21 policy measures that signal future readiness); the higher the category value above the average, the better that place performs on that facet of livability.

Takoma Park, Maryland

Where Front-Porch Friendliness Meets Metro Access

Population 17,542 | Overall Livability Score 68

• Transportation — Safety and Convenience (80/100): Metro rail, bus routes and sidewalks make car-free living easy.

• Engagement — Civic and Social Involvement (72/100): Farmers’ markets, festivals and political engagement keep residents involved.

• Housing — Affordability and Access (58/100): Over half of the homes are multifamily, and zero-step entrances are common. In 2024, households spent just 16% of income on housing, which is remarkably low for the Washington, D.C., metro area.

• Neighborhood — Proximity and Security (76/100): Residents enjoy access to many parks, including the 10-mile Sligo Creek Trail.

Everyday impact

Easy Metro access, a landmark farmers’ market and famously engaged neighbors give Takoma Park a high Engagement score, but the Housing data explains why longtime residents can afford to stay — even in one of the nation’s priciest regions.

Los Alamos, New Mexico

One of the Healthiest Communities in America

Population 13,460 | Overall Livability Score 70

• Health — Prevention, Access, and Quality (81/100): Consistently ranked near the top of

  U.S. News’s Healthiest Communities in America, a comprehensive analysis measuring health and well-being across counties in the United States, Los Alamos has excellent access to health care and a community that values exercise opportunities.

• Environment — Clean Air and Water (72/100): Clear mountain air, quality drinking water and low industrial pollution contribute to the quality of life.

• Housing — Affordability and Access (63/100): Median monthly housing cost is around $1,300, and residents devote only 9% of income to housing — lower than the national average.

• Opportunity — Inclusion and Possibilities (97/100): The presence of Los Alamos National Laboratory and the broader scientific community account for abundant, high-paying jobs in the area.

Everyday impact

Residents enjoy miles of high-altitude trails, short physician wait times and a science-focused culture that supports lifelong learning — advantages that are reflected in the Health and Opportunity categories.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Adventure Out Your Back Door

Population 13,251 | Overall Livability Score 67

• Environment — Clean Air and Water (70/100): Although challenged with forest fires and the effects of climate change, the community takes action to improve air and water quality.

• Health — Prevention, Access and Quality (87/100): Community health benefits from lower prevalence of obesity and smoking as well as access to excellent health care.

• Engagement — Civic and Social Involvement (100/100): Art in the Park, one of the largest arts festivals in the area, a free summer concert series and other festivals make the community feel connected, and ample volunteer opportunities exist.

Everyday impact

Locals can pedal from neighborhood trailheads to downtown cafés, ski powder in winter, float the Yampa River in summer and still get to Denver International Airport in just over three hours — encouraging an outdoor lifestyle that keeps residents healthy and connected.

Montpelier, Vermont

Capital Charm, Walkable Warmth

Population 8,030 | Overall Livability Score 68

• Engagement — Civic and Social Involvement (97/100): Art walks, indie bookstores and a lively farmers’ market reflect exceptional civic and cultural participation.

• Transportation — Safety and Convenience (70/100): High walkability, low congestion and multiple public transportation options make it easy to run errands around town.

• Housing — Affordability and Access (63/100): Over half of the homes are multifamily, and a city housing trust fund helps keep the average payment (~$1,370) manageable for a New England capital city.

Everyday impact

From weekly farmers’ markets on the State House lawn to a downtown where most errands take 10 minutes on foot, Montpelier offers cultural density without the congestion or cost of a larger city.

Winterset, Iowa

Historic Squares, Small-Town Belonging

Population 5,366 | Overall Livability Score 68

• Engagement — Civic and Social Involvement (94/100): The beloved Madison County Covered Bridge Festival, activities at the John Wayne Museum and many other cultural events throughout the year anchor community pride.

• Opportunity — Inclusion and Possibilities (92/100): A low level of income inequality, high graduation rates and easy access to jobs in nearby Des Moines provide opportunities along with small-town costs.

• Housing — Affordability and Access (65/100): Median costs hover near $1,100 per month; households spend just 12.6% of income on housing; and a significant number of subsidized units (617 per 10,000 residents) help keep homes affordable.

Everyday impact

Families enjoy short commutes, walkable historic squares and cultural festivals that turn neighbors into friends — qualities that push Winterset’s overall livability score near the top.

Why Small-Town Living Works

Across the AARP Livability Index platform, small towns like these tend to score well in three big ways:

• Lower everyday costs. Smaller housing markets and shorter commutes help residents spend less on basics and more on what matters. This is especially helpful when stretching a fixed income.

• Built-in community. Active main streets, local events and volunteer networks foster social bonds that support healthy aging and civic pride.

• Access to nature. Whether it’s Rocky Mountain trails or Iowa’s rolling farmland, proximity to the outdoors reduces stress and encourages active lifestyles.

Trade-Offs to Weigh

Life in a tight-knit place comes with both perks and trade-offs. Here are some considerations:

• Fewer “big box” amenities. Unless communities are nestled within a larger metropolitan area (like Takoma Park in the Washington, D.C., metro area), specialty medical care, major airports and niche shopping often mean a long drive or flight to the nearest city.

• Limited housing stock. Housing choice in small towns can be tight for both buyers and renters. According to the Housing Assistance Center, rural renters typically live in older housing than do rural homeowners; 35% of rural renter-occupied units were built before 1960. These older single-family homes may lack step-free entrances or walk-in showers, and new age-friendly units can be scarce.

• Career specialization. Job markets can be dominated by a single employer or industry (such as science in Los Alamos or tourism in Steamboat Springs), so those in other careers may need to telework or commute.

• Transportation. Public transit options and rideshare availability tend to be limited, making car ownership — or creative carpooling — a necessity in many small communities.

More Small Towns Worth Exploring

For many people, the community connection, breathable pace and lower everyday costs of small towns outweigh the downsides of limited boutiques or longer trips to specialized services. If you crave neighborly ties, love the outdoors and value living where your voice matters, the highest-ranked small towns on the AARP Livability Index platform offer compelling and measurable proof that small really can be mighty. See how your hometown — or dream town — stacks up. Visit the AARP Livability Index™ Community Finder, compare scores and uncover the places that match your life today and tomorrow.