[title]
According to a new WalletHub study ranking the best- and worst-run cities in the U.S., the Big Apple landed a less-than-apple-pie-sweet 145th out of 148 cities. That’s right: Despite its cultural clout and global stature, New York City is officially one of the least efficiently run cities in the country.
The study analyzed 36 key metrics—from public safety and health to infrastructure and education—and then weighed those against each city’s per-capita budget. While New York fared decently in many service categories (16th in health, 21st in education and 24th in infrastructure and pollution), it fell hard on financial efficiency. Thanks to its famously bloated budget—the second-highest per capita in the country—New York's ranking plunged, earning it a spot just above Philadelphia, Oakland, Detroit and dead-last San Francisco.
Here’s the kicker: New York actually ranks 23rd in quality of services. Not bad, right? But WalletHub’s methodology compares that service score against spending and Gotham’s staggering costs knocked it more than 120 spots down the leaderboard. In short: great services, terrible value.
“The best‑run cities in America use their budgets most effectively to provide high‑quality financial security, education, health, safety and transportation to their residents,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
To put it in perspective, Provo, Utah—ranked No. 1 overall—came in 5th for service quality and 2nd for budget efficiency. That’s a city with clean streets, rising income and a high school graduation rate above 90%, all delivered on a relative shoestring.
Meanwhile, NYC’s long-term debt per capita ranks among the highest in the country, making it even harder to stretch taxpayer dollars effectively. Sure, we’ve got world-class transit, hospitals and public schools, but we’re paying dearly for them.
Of course, New Yorkers aren’t exactly known for suffering poor governance in silence. Consider this another item on the long list of things to kvetch about, right after rent, traffic and the MTA’s weekend schedule.
The moral of the municipal story? Even the greatest city in the world isn’t immune to budget bloat—and a little fiscal finesse might be just what New York needs to climb back up the ranks.