Tops in Texas
Here's where San Antonio ranks among the best-run cities in America
While the spotlight might be on national politics, most people see the work of the government best at the local level. It’s in that spirit that a new study ranks the best- and worst-run cities in the country, placing San Antonio in the middle of the pack overall but closer to the top based on city services.
Personal finance website WalletHub compared 150 of the largest cities in the U.S. to determine which are the best and worst managed for 2019, ranking San Antonio 89th nationally.
The site measured each city’s operating efficiency by looking at its total budget per capita and the quality of its city services (broken down into six categories). While the Alamo City comes in at 103rd for budget, it ranks a much better No. 53 for services.
Among the individual quality of service categories, San Antonio ranks 33rd in financial stability, 49th in education, and 50th in economy. There's room to improve in infrastructure and pollution (77th), health (87th), and safety (94th).
The best-run city in Texas is Arlington at No. 27, followed by Fort Worth at No. 51. Texas' other major cities land lower. Austin ranks No. 72, just ahead of Houston at No. 73, while Dallas places after San Antonio at No. 93.
The best-run city in the country is Nampa, Idaho. Last on the list, ironically, is Washington, D.C.
