One NoVA city has ranked as a best place to live. Leesburg was listed as the No. 13 best small city in the U.S. by WalletHub.
WalletHub compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000. It used 45 key indicators to rate livability, including housing costs, school quality, number of restaurants per capita, and safety.
Of the 1,300 considered, Leesburg rated No. 24 for education and health. For education, factors included the quality of the area’s school system as well as high school graduation rates. The health ranking looked at the number of insured residents, obesity and death rates, and access to healthy foods.
Leesburg also ranked No.103 for safety, which considered crime rate and motor vehicle accident data. It was ranked No. 127 for affordability and No. 495 for economic health. For overall quality of life, Leesburg landed at No. 150.
Other Cities on the List
Lexington, Massachusetts, was WalletHub’s No. 1 best small city. It rated highly for education and health (No. 3) and safety (No. 5) and landed at No. 155 for the overall quality of life.
Brookfield, Wisconsin, was the No. 2 city; followed by Carmel, Indiana, at No. 3; Apex, North Carolina, at No. 4; and Saratoga Springs, New York, at No. 5.
Ashburn also made the list at No. 35.
Other Leesburg Accolades
Just this May, Leesburg was named a best small town in America by Country Living.
The publication named Leesburg as the “Best for Sippin’ & Pickin’” for its “award-winning vineyards and destination antiquing.” The area was lauded for its wealth of independent shopping spots such as Lucketts Store and Crème de la Crème.
The magazine also called out the area’s wineries, including Zephaniah Farm Vineyard and Stone Tower Winery. The Hotel Burg was noted as “a stylish new spot to stay,” and its restaurant, The Huntōn, was recommended for dining. Other recommended eateries included Goosecup, The Wine Kitchen, and Mom’s Apple Pie Company.
