Not all of us are comfortable with the noise and busy life of a big city. For some people, a peaceful place with clean air and easy access to parks just sounds better.
This does not mean that you’d like to live in a tiny town on a mountaintop, just a quieter place, away from the chaos of the typical major city. Fortunately, if you live in the US, there are plenty of places with a small town atmosphere (or just a moderate population size).
So, here is a ranking of the quietest places to live in the US for those who hate cities, to help you find the perfect one for you.
In this article:
Peaceful places to live in the US
To create this list, we went through the places with a population under 250k that:
- offer the highest quality of life;
- have high air quality;
- have easy access to parks.
When looking at the air quality rating, it’s important to understand that we are really splitting hairs, as all of the listed places have excellent ratings according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) average Air Quality Index (AQI) under 50.
20 – Huntsville, Alabama
Population: 200,574
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 3
Air quality: 7
The outstanding US Space and Rocket Center is undoubtedly Huntsville’s premier attraction, and it is also well-known as the site of Space Camp.
However, there is more to do here than only space-related activities.
Huntsville has a great art museum, various eccentric dining and entertainment locations, magnificent botanical gardens, three historical districts, regular art performances, and an active craft beer industry, to name a few.
19 – Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Population: 244,115
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 4
Air quality: 7
Winston-Salem is brimming with historical landmarks.
A good example is Reynolda Village, which includes Reynolda Gardens and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art. The museum is located in the former home of R.J. Reynolds, the tobacco mogul.
The edifice, which dates from the early twentieth century, houses one of the best public collections of American art in the South. The Museum of Early Southern Ornamental Arts (MESDA) is devoted to the early South’s original decorative artworks.
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18- Fort Myers, Florida
Population: 87,103
Quality of life: 6
Accessibility to parks: 4
Air quality: 8
Fort Myers, sometimes known as the “City of Palms,” is a mid-sized urban area. It’s located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, a place rich in history, business, and nature. This town offers job opportunities, entertainment, and waterfront properties, without losing the very relaxed atmosphere. Among other things, Fort Myers also has the highest number of sunny days in Florida.
17-Knoxville, Tennessee
Population: 187,603
Quality of life: 6
Accessibility to parks: 5
Air quality: 8
One of the best things about Knoxville is that it has all of the conveniences of a big city, but residents are never far from peace and quiet, whether it’s on a farm or in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This makes Knoxville a great place for those who are looking for the perfect balance between the city and large outdoor open spaces.
16-Melbourne, Florida
Population: 83,029
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 3
Air quality: 9
Melbourne has about 250 sunny days each year, because of its proximity to the equator. The city has a thriving art sector as well as numerous shopping malls. In 1996, it was even the site of the official Olympic Torch Relay. Melbourne locals are treated to a free annual Melbourne Arts Festival every April.
15- Des Moines, Iowa
Population: 214,237
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 7
Air quality: 6
Low-cost housing, short commute times, and a diverse population are just a few of the advantages that Des Moines, Iowa has to offer its citizens.
The city is the main cultural center of Iowa, with many museums, arts organizations, and performance venues. Thanks to Gray’s Lake Park, Des Moines can also offer a wide array of outdoor activities. If you are looking for a peaceful city, Des Moines is considered one of the 5 (five) quietest cities in the US.
14- Asheville, North Carolina
Population: 91,560
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 4
Air quality: 9
In Buncombe County, Asheville is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the French Broad River. The city is well-known as a regional art hub. Several reputable authorities have named Asheville as one of the greatest cities to live in. “Beer City USA” is how Asheville is known. Beer enthusiasts will not want to leave the city, which has 26 craft brewers and another 60 nearby.
13- Greenville, South Carolina
Population: 70,635
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 5
Air quality: 8
Greenville serves as the upstate’s cultural and entertainment hub, with an award-winning downtown, a major performing arts center, a 17,000-seat arena, a 340,000 square-foot convention and exhibition complex, nationally recognized museum collections, and 39 parks, playgrounds, and leisure facilities.
12- Grand Rapids, Michigan
Population: 201,013
Quality of life: 8
Accessibility to parks: 8
Air quality: 5
Grand Rapids combines big-city excitement with a small-town sense of community pride and intimacy, bringing locals together for major events like ArtPrize, Restaurant Week, and LaughFest, among others. Grand Rapids has almost 1,800 acres of parkland spread out over 120 different areas. Softball, soccer, volleyball, and basketball are just a few of the team sports that are available.
11- Charleston, South Carolina
Population: 137,566
Quality of life: 6
Accessibility to parks: 5
Air quality: 10
Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina, and there is a lot to do. There are various museums in Charleston to visit that illustrate the city’s rich history and culture. Instead of the skyscrapers that characterize most US metropolitan skylines, church spires dominate Charleston’s picturesque skyline.
10- Lansing, Michigan
Population: 118,210
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 8
Air quality: 6
L-Town might be the place for you if you’re seeking a low-cost area to reside in, within Michigan State.
Lansing has a cost of living that is 17% cheaper than the national average, and a housing cost that is 47% lower. Despite the fact that Michigan winters can be long and harsh, there are plenty of outdoor things to enjoy! At Burchfield Park, you may sled or cross-country ski, and at Hawk Island Park, you can go snow tubing and ice fishing.
9- Fayetteville, Arkansas
Population: 87,590
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 5
Air quality: 10
Fayetteville is located in northwest Arkansas. It is home to the beloved Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas and is ranked among the top five locations to live in the United States.
Nearly 650 acres of property surround Lake Fayetteville and its adjacent park. This park is easily accessible to Fayetteville residents for camping, kayaking, fishing, and hiking.
8- Manchester, New Hampshire
Population: 112,673
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 7
Air quality: 9
The majority of New Hampshire’s significant cultural institutions and landmarks are located in Manchester.
The Currier Museum of Art is a nationally recognized art museum and one of the best small galleries in the country. The New Hampshire Symphony Orchestra and the Opera League of New Hampshire both perform at the Palace Theatre.
7- Pensacola, Florida
Population: 52,975
Quality of life: 6
Accessibility to parks: 8
Air quality: 9
Located in Florida’s panhandle, Pensacola is surrounded by 50-plus miles of coastline which includes the emerald-green Gulf of Mexico waters and crystal clear bay areas. This makes Pensacola the perfect mix between a relaxed beach town and an active metropolitan center. The temperate climate, along with a welcoming society focused on success, provides an almost unrivaled quality of life.
6- Albany, New York
Population: 96,460
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 8
Air quality: 9
Albany is the original 13 English colonies’ longest continuously inhabited settlement.
The city is well-known for its architecture, commerce, culture, higher education institutions, and long history. Throughout the year, Albany hosts a number of festivals. Alive at Five concerts, the Tulip Festival, the Capital Pride Parade, the Price Chopper Fabulous Fourth and Fireworks Festival, and more are among them.
5- Sarasota, Florida
Population: 58,285
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 8
Air quality: 9
Sarasota, Florida is regarded as one of the best areas to live, work, and raise a family in the United States.
This is due in great part to the city’s diverse recreational and cultural offerings, which cater to a wide range of interests. The commercial community is thriving and expanding, and the city boasts high-quality schools and a low cost of living. On Florida’s Gulf Coast, its white-sand beaches provide a luxurious ambiance in a welcoming community.
4- Hartford, Connecticut
Population: 122,105
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 10
Air quality: 8
Hartford is a varied city that combines history, culture, architecture, business, education, and economic development to create a very pleasant environment. Hartford is ranked in the top 6% of North American cities for arts and culture. More than 200 cultural, arts, and history groups can be found in the city. The Antiquarian and Landmarks Society gives historical tours of 12 Hartford landmark homes.
3- Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Population: 59,265
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 10
Air quality: 8
Lancaster is located in Lancaster County, in the south-central part of Pennsylvania, near the Conestoga River.
Pennsylvania Dutch Country encompasses the city. Agriculture, numerous cottage industries, and tourism are all important to the Amish community. There are also Mennonite villages in the area. Livestock, apples, grains, and dairy products are all popular in theregion. The city’s numerous historic buildings show a diverse range of architectural styles.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
“Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offers a balance between natural and commercial spaces that residents appreciate. Expansive farms rub elbows with manicured suburbs, which lead right into the bustling city. A short drive can take one through each of these environments. Each area boasts its own unique groups of inhabitants: farmers, families, college students and young professionals.”
US News
2- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Population: 49,271
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 10
Air quality: 8
Harrisburg is one of the oldest cities in the northeast of the United States. This is one of the reasons for its popularity as a cultural and artistic destination.
Harrisburg is located near major cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., all of which have a significant impact on the city.
Residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of benefits in Harrisburg and the Capital Region, which includes Hershey and Carlisle. The world’s tallest splashdown amusement park ride is located in this neighborhood. It offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, motorcycling, and hiking.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
“The city is an eclectic mix of wilderness and city life, as well as the old and the new, making it a perfect destination for basically everyone. As the capital of Pennsylvania, history meets technological innovation, old-school farm shows and an awesome mish mash of cultures”
Triple Crown Corporation
1- Portland, Maine
Population: 66,215
Quality of life: 7
Accessibility to parks: 9
Air quality: 10
Portland, located on Maine’s southern coast along Casco Bay, is known as the region’s economic, tourism, and growth hub. Industry, fishing, agriculture, and Americana all have a long history in the city.
Maine’s reputation as a craft beer and wine destination is growing. According to the Brewers Association, Portland has the most microbreweries per capita of any city in the country. Every year, the Allagash Brewing Company in Portland produces 45,000 barrels of beer.
Portland, Maine
“For the people of Maine, there is only one Portland. Maine’s largest metro area and economic hub features cobblestone streets and ships sheltered within the island-specked waters of Casco Bay. Artful living and farm-to-table dining are not just trends in Portland – they have been a way of life for years. A “do it yourself” spirit resonates throughout the region, so don’t be surprised if a neighbor offers you extra produce from a community garden, home-brewed beer or knitting tips.”
US News
There you have it, our list of the top 20 relaxed cities in the US, for those who want to get away from large noisy cities, without being completely isolated. In many of these places, you’ll be able to experience the small town feel, while still having access to fun events and high-tech communication systems.
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Background
Around 39% of the total US population is concentrated in large cities of 500.000 inhabitants or more. While most other centers are towns of 5.000 people or less, there are a wide range of small sized cities that, on average, have the highest quality of life ratings in the United States.
According to our research, the cities in this “sweet spot” manage to be quiet and livable, while still offering many of the comforts and entertainment opportunities of their larger counterparts.
They also show a significantly lower crime rate (according to official data from the FBI) compared to more extended urban areas, even proportionally.
In addition, given their moderate size, these cities generally have very clean air and easy access to parks for all the population.
Methodology
To compile this ranking, we determined which cities and towns with a population of less than 250,000 had the highest quality of life, best access to parks, and lowest air pollution.
The quality of life index was calculated by summing violent crime rate and property crime rate (through the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program), adding them to the quality of higher education, and the well-being index (measuring mental health and financial health rates). This rating is measured in a scale from 0-10, from the least safe (0), with the lowest access to high quality education, to the safest (10), with highest quality of education.
The accessibility to the parks was measured through the numbers provided by the Trust for Public Land. This mostly measures how many citizens of a certain area can find a park within a 10 (ten) minutes walking distance of their home. 0 (zero) being 5% or less citizens, 10 (ten) being 95% or more.
Finally, the average air quality was measured by combining the numbers provided by the EPA with the daily measurements made by IQAir. This rating is measured on a scale of 0-10, from the lowest quality (0) to the highest (10).
Sources
- EPA, Air Quality Statistics by City, (2020)
- FBI, Crime Data Explorer
- FBI, Uniform Crime Reporting Program (1995-2019)
- IQAir, Air quality in USA
- NeighbourhoodScout
- Trust for Public Land
- US Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables
- US News and World report, 150 Best Places to Live in the US in 2021-2022
Sources
Riccardo Ollmert is a multilingual writer and travel expert. He studied Languages, Literature and Publishing Industry at La Sapienza University of Rome. His passions include traveling and learning new skills.
