Missoula is the 15th best-run city in America, according to personal-finance website WalletHub.
The rankings compared the operating efficiency of the 148 largest U.S. cities. WalletHub used 36 metrics regarding education, the economy, and the environment for the assessment.
Nampa, Idaho, secured first place in the study, while San Francisco scored the worst. Billings, Montana, made the list at 16th place. No other Montana cities were large enough to make the list.
Data from the website showed Missoula ranks 59th in the country for quality of city services but 15th in its total budget per capita.
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Missoula generally ranks 21st in education, 48th in economy, 58th in health, 68th in safety, 80th in pollution and infrastructure, and 120th in financial stability, according to the rankings.
Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis told the Missoulian that Missoula’s commitment to education and working with the private sector and other government agencies has benefited the city over the years.
“I feel Missoula is a really dedicated city on providing excellent services,” Davis said. “And we see the results.”
Davis cited a yearslong program between the city and Missoula County Public Schools to create afterschool programming for youth. She said the program has been critical for increasing attendance and outcomes for at-risk children.
Other efforts include an Affordable Housing Trust Fund that the city supplements each year, and Tax Increment Financing projects for income-restricted housing. Davis said Missoula’s local government tackles these issues as a team.
“We make it happen because we have a partnership together,” she said.
To read the complete rankings, visit WalletHub.com.
Griffen Smith is the local government reporter for the Missoulian.
