Lancaster is named WalletHub’s Best Small City in America

In a recent survey of more than 1,300 small cities in the United States, the home of Pennsylvania College of Art & Design came out a real winner. 

In fact, it came out as the winner. 

WalletHub, a website that provides financial advice, in October named the City of Lancaster the Best Small City in America for 2022. 

PCA&D is centered in Lancaster city’s creative district, a hub within the bustling and vibrant community of more than 125 visual arts, entertainment, and entrepreneurial organizations surrounding our campus. “How lucky are we to be embedded in the heart of such a dynamic, diverse, and welcoming city. We consider the city an extension of our campus,” says PCA&D President Michael Molla. “The city provides opportunities for our students, with internships, part-time, and full-time creative jobs. And we know that entrepreneurial students tend to stay in cities where they create networks for businesses and enhance the community. Many of our graduates contribute to the creative economy of Lancaster.”

What factors did WalletHub consider? Their experts compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000, based on 43 key indicators of livability (think safety; walkability; museums, theaters, parks, and restaurants per capita, and more). It was just one of 19 small cities to finish in the 99th, or highest, percentile. 

Lancaster fared especially well in the Quality of Life category, finishing in the top 10 of all 1,300-plus cities studied. Experts here took 15 factors into consideration, including the percentage of residents who can walk to work; restaurants, clubs, theaters, parks, museums, and performing arts centers per capita; and the number of attractions located in the city. 

You can read more here about methodologies, including all the factors WalletHub experts considered, and learn more about how those factors were weighted.