Overview

• WalletHub analyzed U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 using federally sourced data from the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI.
• The 2025 top ten are Carmel; Brookfield; Apex; Lexington, Mass.; Westfield; Fishers; Brentwood; Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Appleton; and Lehi.
• Carmel’s profile includes 3.3% unemployment, a median household income near $135,000, a 775 median credit score, one of the lowest pedestrian fatality rates, and strong health outcomes.
• Brookfield placed second with 2.7% unemployment, a 3.5% poverty rate, a 782 median credit score, and 98% of residents insured.
• Five of the top ten are Midwestern cities, continuing a regional concentration seen in prior editions of the annual report.