PA, NJ Cities Rank Among Top 20 Places to Live in US

A new study from WalletHub has named two cities, one each in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, among its top 20 best places to live in the United States. Lancaster, Pennsylvania, secured the No. 17 spot, and Fair Lawn, New Jersey, ranked No. 20.

WalletHub's analysis considered more than 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000. WalletHub then ranked the small cities based on more than 40 factors, including affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety.

Celebrated for its blend of history, culture, and revitalized downtown, Lancaster scored well across several categories, including affordability, economic health, quality of life, and safety.

Fair Lawn, in Bergen County, sits just outside New York City. It was recognized for the quality of its schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, and access to public transportation.

Other notable New Jersey towns that ranked in the top 10% of small cities in America include Ridgewood (No. 97), Princeton (No. 96), Paramus (No. 92), Hoboken (No. 91), Bergenfield (No. 90), and Westfield (tied with Bergenfield for No. 90), all recognized for their livability.

"Small-city life can be best for those who appreciate more wiggle room, fewer degrees of separation, and shorter commutes, to name just a few of its advantages," said WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo in a statement shared with NorthJersey.com. "Granted, these little urban areas demand some tradeoffs, too, such as fewer restaurant options or shorter business hours."