In a comprehensive analysis of over 1,300 small U.S. towns, personal finance website WalletHub named Isla Vista, California, as the worst small town in America for quality of life.

Though the community is popular with students and alumni of the neighboring University of California, Santa Barbara, it ranked lowest overall, largely due to poor affordability and economic health. WalletHub’s assessment considered a range of criteria, including affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety. The towns were then grouped by percentile, with the 99th percentile representing the top 1% of small cities nationwide.

Affordability and economic challenges for Isla Vista

Isla Vista received a final score of 37.83 out of 100, placing it at the bottom of WalletHub’s ranking. This position was primarily due to high costs and economic strain; for example, U.S. Census data from 2018-2022 shows a median gross rent of approximately $1,851, with around 72% of residents living in poverty.

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Isla Vista was followed in the rankings by Wasco, California, and Bessemer, Alabama, which also scored poorly in affordability and economic health. Despite its low ranking in these areas, Isla Vista earned a relatively high quality of life score, likely bolstered by its vibrant university community.

Top-ranked small towns highlighted for safety and affordability

Bell Gardens, West Hollywood, and Isla Vista had the lowest affordability scores among the analyzed towns. Other cities, such as Maywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Huntington Park, also ranked in the bottom 10, placing several densely populated areas in Los Angeles County among the least affordable.

While these cities scored poorly, others performed exceptionally well:

1. Carmel, Indiana
   Rated as the best small city to live in, Carmel has a low unemployment rate of 3% and a rent-to-income ratio around 14%, with a median household income of nearly $133,000—ranking 110th out of more than 1,300 cities. Carmel also has the 23rd lowest premature death rate, the fourth-lowest pedestrian fatality rate, and the 75th lowest violent crime rate.
   
2. Brookfield, Wisconsin
   Ranked the second-best small city, Brookfield boasts a 3% unemployment rate, the 96th highest homeownership rate, and the 11th best median credit score. Over 98% of residents have health insurance, and it has the 31st lowest violent crime rate and 19th lowest pedestrian fatality rate.
   
3. Lexington, Massachusetts
   As the third-best small city to live in, Lexington has the fourth-lowest property crime rate and 37th lowest violent crime rate, along with one of the highest median household incomes at over $206,000. Massachusetts’ top-rated school system benefits Lexington, which also has the second-highest rate of health insurance coverage and 22nd most fitness centers per capita.

America’s 10 best small towns

1. Carmel, Ind.
2. Brookfield, Wis.
3. Lexington, Mass.
4. Fishers, Ind.
5. Appleton, Wis.
6. Apex, NC
7. Brentwood, Tenn.
8. Lancaster, Pa.
9. Bozeman, Mont.
10. Westfield, Ind. 

America’s 10 worst small towns 

1. Isla Vista, Calif.
2. Bessemer, Ala.
3. Wasco, Calif.
4. West Memphis, Ark.
5. Monroe, La.
6. Greenville, Miss.
7. Alexandria, La.
8. Pine Bluff, Ark.
9. Petersburg, Va.
10. Jacksonville, Ark. 

Click here for the complete list