North Richland Hills is attracting national spotlight as one of the top 50 most livable small cities in the U.S. for 2025, according to SmartAsset.
This family-focused suburb about 12 miles from Fort Worth skyrocketed into No. 48 spot on SmartAsset’s new list after ranking 139th on the same list last year.
SmartAsset’s annual study compared 279 U.S. cities with populations between 65,000 and 100,000 residents across seven metrics, including a resident’s housing costs as a percentage of household income; average commute times; the percentage of residents living below the poverty line; and more.
North Richland Hills has an estimated population of more than 71,000 residents who earn a median $93,434 in household income. The report says the city’s unemployment rate is just over 2 percent, while residents spend 20.21 percent of their income on housing costs, which add up to a median $1,690 per month.
Despite being labeled a “small city” by the study, North Richland Hill’s website says it is the fourth-largest city in Tarrant County, boasting 1,200 businesses and 30 major employers. Its continued prosperity can be attributed to its low crime rates, highly rated schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, a close proximity to Fort Worth, and so much more.
“Residents enjoy our welcoming and neighborly atmosphere and family friendly amenities including a new public library and recreation center, more than 800 acres of parkland, 30 miles of hike and bike trails, the award winning Iron Horse Golf Course and NRH2O Family Water Park,” the site says.
Additionally, SmartAsset found the “prevalence” of entertainment, food service, and healthcare establishments in North Richland Hills is 24.76 percent. This metric was determined based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 County Business Patterns survey (specifically at the county level) – meaning it is the combined proportions of entertainment, food service, and healthcare establishments in Tarrant County.
NRH2O Family Water Park is a main attraction for families in North Richland Hills.nrhtx.com/
Reducing household expenses or escaping from noise pollution are just a few of the many reasons Americans may choose to move to a smaller city. But the report says not all families are willing to trade a lower cost of living for the convenience of living in a prominent urban epicenter.
“Ultimately, a local economy where infrastructure, business, financial prosperity and convenience all intersect may offer the best of all worlds for everyone in the household,” the report’s author wrote.
Other small cities in Dallas-Fort Worth
North Richland Hills wasn’t the only Dallas-Fort Worth suburb to earn a spot in the top 50. Flower Mound took a major leap from its 2024 ranking as No. 29 and is now considered the 7th most livable small city nationwide.
Flower Mound’s population of more than 79,000 residents earn a median $147,490 in yearly household income, the report found. These residents spend just under 20 percent of their income on housing, or a median $2,454 per month.
The city is sprawling with employment opportunities on both local and corporate levels, comprising more than 20,000 businesses, and nearly 97 percent of Flower Mound residents have health insurance. Residents spend about 25 minutes on average commuting to their jobs.
Flower Mound has the second-lowest unemployment rate out of all 20 Texas cities in the report, at just 1.95 percent. The report also added that only 3.3 percent of the city’s population is living below the poverty line.
Earlier this year, Flower Mound’s appealing size and relative affordability landed the No. 1 slot on Livability.com’s list of best places to live in the U.S. in 2025.
Flower Mound has nearly 1,000 acres of parks for families and visitors to enjoy.Town of Flower Mound, Texas-Government/Facebook
According to the city’s website, Flower Mound prides itself on being a tight-knit, family-oriented community that embraces its small-town feel while still encouraging “a dynamic economic development environment.”
Mansfield (No. 138) and Rowlett (No. 181) were the only two other Dallas-Fort Worth cities to earn spots among the 279 most livable small cities in the nation.
The top 10 most livable small U.S. cities in 2025 are:
- No. 1 – Plymouth, Minnesota
- No. 2 – Bloomington, Illinois
- No. 3 – Livonia, Michigan
- No. 4 – O’Fallon, Missouri
- No. 5 – Ankeny, Iowa
- No. 6 – Lakeville, Minnesota
- No. 7 – Flower Mound, Texas
- No. 8 – Eu Claire, Wisconsin
- No. 9 – Appleton, Wisconsin
- No. 10 – St. Charles, Missouri