This New Hampshire City is one of the Best Run in the U.S

Running a city is a tall order! Local leaders have their work cut out for them in a lot of ways especially in these trying times with high inflation and various other issues. Local leaders are presented with the trying task of balancing the diverse interests of the public with the city’s limited resources.

How can we judge whether a city is run well or not?

Wallethub.com was up for the challenge! They took 148 cities across the U.S and analyzed how well city officials are managing and spending public funds. They did this by comparing the quality of the services residents receive against the city’s total budget.

They constructed a “Quality of Services” score which is made up of 36 metrics grouped into six service categories, which they then measured against the city’s per-capita budget.

Examples of categories analyzed were Long-Term Debt Outstanding per Capita and High School Graduation Rate.

According to this study the #1 best run city in the U.S is Provo, Utah and the #2 is Nampa, Idaho. If we're being honest with each other, I have barely heard of either of these cities and can't speak to their efficiency. However, I trust the survey and the data they gathered.

Read More: The Best Public High School in New Hampshire Might Surprise You

Especially because they named our very own Manchester, New Hampshire, as the #3 best run city in the country; out of 148 cities mind you!

What makes Manchester, New Hampshire, so well run?

They survey noted how clean the environment is in Manchester as they came in with the seventh-lowest air pollution in the country. Residents of the Queen City are also doing very well financially. For example, the city has the seventh-highest forecasted 1-year change in the median home value, and a low share of residents living below poverty.

And contrary to popular belief, the survey showed that Manchester is a safe city, with the 15th-lowest property crime rate and 28th-lowest violent crime rate in the country. It also has the seventh-smallest traffic congestion (that I believe!) and the 15th-lowest unemployment rate in the country.

Way to go, Manchester! Mayor Ruais should be proud!