Charming and Pleasant Small Towns in the USA Worth Visiting
I’m sure you will second me when I say small towns and small cities in the US are stealing the spotlight lately. Slower streets, real neighbors, and vivid local scenes stay with you longer than another skyline photo. The U.S. Census agrees with this as well. They say most incorporated places in the U.S. reside fewer than 5,000 people, which is too little! That fact shows how small towns in America with small populations are still a huge part of the national fabric.
This piece of writing is about six best small towns in America that keep coming up in travel searches, reader mail, and WanderLust Craze reporting.
For each town I cover travel basics, what makes it special, and what life looks like if you’re thinking about staying a while.
6 Best Small Towns to Visit in America
Being an editor at WanderLust Craze, my job is to pull together stories from our fellow writers, local guides, and readers who actually live in these places.
I have seen clear patterns between data, published studies and on-the-ground reporting. I found people valuing safety, space and community.
People now want freedom to choose where they live because remote work has changed the rules. Pew Research and other surveys show worker’s shifting preferences, especially moves to less dense places after 2020.
In addition, independent research tells us the quality of life, not just business incentives, attracts population and employment gains in smaller places.
That is the reason choosing a small town is as much about rhythm as it is about scenery, even when you’re in one of the most scenic US states.
St Augustine, Florida – Oldest City, Modern Comforts
For Visitors: St Augustine earns its reputation for being America’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement.
The history is evident in cobbled alleys, colonial buildings, and the Lightner Museum. In fact, when you walk into town, you will feel the history first, then the coffee.
The historic district is compact where you can walk easily. You will find trolleys, gift shops, and tourable landmarks.
Flagler College and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park are good options. Peak season is winter and spring because summer gets hot and humid.
The parking in the downtown is difficult, so I advise you to park somewhere nearby and walk.
For Movers: With a population of around 16,000 to 18,000 people, median household income of about $80,400 (2023 ACS estimate) and the median home value of roughly in the low-to-mid $400,000s range (Zillow median home value about $433,000 as of 2025), St Augustine is one of the best small towns to move in the USA. That spike in newcomers is evident from the data. Remote work in St. Johns County rose from roughly 8.6 percent in 2018 to nearly 24 percent in 2023. You should also know that health care, tourism, and education are steady employers.
Provincetown, Massachusetts – Beaches, Art and full-on Pride Energy
For visitors: We can find Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod. The population grows in summer here. The town of around 3,600 people has the capacity to entertain tens of thousands of visitors.
You can visit galleries, drag shows, and a buzzing Commercial Street full of cafes and shops. Traveling to Provincetown is all about timing.
While summer brings heat and events, the shoulder seasons give you the opportunity of whale-watching and witness quieter beaches. You would enjoy the scenic views in ferries from Boston or Hyannis.
For movers: Unfortunately, living here is a trade-off. Median household income estimates vary, but recent ACS-derived data lists Provincetown’s median household income in the six-figure range. DataUSA shows $123,456 in a recent year), which reflects a mix of higher-earning homeowners and an expensive seasonal housing market. If you come here for living, you should know that year-round services tighten in winter. And housing often comes at a premium because of the short-season rental market and high demand for coastal property.
Asbury Park, New Jersey – Music, Boardwalk and a Reinvention Story
For visitors: Asbury Park has a music pedigree. The Stone Pony is a cultural anchor, while the Boardwalk has many new establishments in shape of restaurants, murals and festivals.
You can come here for concerts, beach days and a lively food scene. This has become more diverse in the last decade.
The boardwalk offers you sun, small museums and nightlife. Alternatively, it is possible to find less noisy neighborhoods just a few blocks inland.
For movers: This is a small town of approximately 15,000 people that is becoming costly due to new establishments and an influx of commuters. The median price of homes was approximately $508,800 in 2023. Recent profiles show that the median household income is in the low $70,000s range. The average time of commute when working outside is approximately 25 minutes. The transit corridors serve many commuters to the New York metro. The upside is proximity to NYC as the local cultural life is stronger than in most suburban towns. The adverse element is the pressure of urban renewal and the increasing rents in the most desirable blocks. The long-term residents and the families should seek locations several blocks away along the boardwalk. The noise and prices are much lower here.
Marfa, Texas – Desert Art with Surprisingly Deep Roots
For visitors: Marfa is small, isolated and quaint in its own way. The legacy of the Chinati Foundation and the Donald Judd made it a pilgrimage place for the contemporary art enthusiasts.
The desert light of the town, minimal architecture, and harsh scenery are among the reasons why creatives come to town.
Logistics of traveling are important: it is typical to fly to El Paso and then take a long scenic road trip.
Accommodations range from basic like old-time motels to luxurious like Hotel Saint George. For me it is one of the coolest towns in America for artists and design-minded travelers.
For movers: Life in Marfa is nothing like living in a suburb with a population of just about 1,600 people. The median household income is not very high (about $38,200 in some latest reports) but the median property value has increased (almost $217,600 in 2023). The town’s popularity has made it difficult to afford. Local reporting and analysis indicate that short-term rentals and out-of-town buyers are driving the price upward. Living in Marfa you will experience some unique landscape and community, though you might have fewer services available all year round, a longer commute to hospitals and grocery selection, and the housing markets favoring the second-home buyer.
Cape May, New Jersey – Victorian Charm and Peaceful Beaches
For visitors: The first look of Cape May is just like a postcard. Indeed it is among the prettiest small towns in America.
You will witness a National Historic District with well-kept Victorian homes, and tree-lined streets. The Jersey Shore feels very quiet.
You should not miss the opportunity to visit the lighthouse and Washington Street Mall. And yes of course, calm beaches as well.
While it may not have the rugged terrain of the national parks of the east coast, its Victorian charm along with bird-watching and coastal reserves offers a different kind of natural escape.
If you have no issue with facing crowd, visit Cape May in summer, between July and August, but late spring and early fall gift you warm days and fewer crowds.
Families and couples would be able to enjoy family-oriented activities, boat tours, and a surprisingly good culinary scene. Cape May is quietly one of the best spots in the U.S. for a honeymoon, and I saw it firsthand with a little weekend wedding there.
The couple said their vows on the porch of a beautiful Victorian house and grabbed casual pizza for dinner at the Washington Street Mall.
Everyone there kicked off their shoes and walked on the beach as the sun went down. It all felt so easy and real. Just make sure to follow our guidelines on family travel.
For movers: You should know that DataUSA places it near $57,000 in recent ACS data. However, the County-level metrics show higher median incomes. Owner-occupied homes in the historic district are expensive but inland blocks are more affordable. County-level median value of owner-occupied homes has been reported in the high $300,000s to $400,000s range. Most jobs here are in hospitality and retail, and employment and income relate to summer tourism.
Haleiwa, Hawaii – Surf culture and Island Rhythm
For visitors: Haleiwa is the main place in North Shore. This is famous for surf breaks like Pipeline nearby, old-school surf shops in addition to classic shave-ice spots.
During the day time, you can switch between visiting beaches and checking out local places. You can also take nearby trails like Waimea Valley Trail, Pupukea-Paumalu Trail, Kammieland Trail etc, which are some of the top hiking spots on the island. For that, ensure packing the essential hiking gear like proper footwear and water.
It’s one of those places that gives you the island feel. A perfect replacement to the high-rise hotel lineups of Waikiki. I advise renting a car if you want to explore the North Shore. Inter-island flights land in Honolulu, from there it’s a scenic drive.
For movers: Haleiwa is a small, supportive community. It has a history tied to plantation life and native culture. Local place-level numbers tell us that a median household income was about $94,000 in 2023 ACS-derived data for the CDP area. Practically speaking, if you want to move to Haleiwa, be ready to face higher monthly living costs, limited housing inventory, and longer commutes in case you need frequent flights or central Honolulu services. On the other hand, you get to enjoy excellent local food and an island community that you may find worth the premium.
The balance between visiting and living
Here’s the honest trade-off I tell readers from the word go. Travel lists are all about feeling and experience.
Alternatively, the data we look at ranks schools, jobs, safety and long-term value. Both things matter. When planning a cultural trip, look for a unique location that fits your timeframe.
And speaking of planning, knowing your solo trip necessities or family needs can make or break the experience.
Honestly, the secret to flawless packing is simply to focus on those necessities and leave the ‘what ifs’ at home. If you want to relocate, the things that matter most are job market, schools, commute options and local services.
The ideal approach is to spend enough time that enables you to experience most of the living scenarios. We suggest staying at least a week, mingle with the locals, and analyze the daily pace. You can count on U.S. News and census records when you need to compare hard metrics.
Wrapping up
Small towns have many things to offer; some hum with art and festivals, while others sleep quietly under a sky full of stars. It is the community that ties them together and that’s the real draw. If your intent is a trip, all you need is choosing a season and your purpose. If you want to moving, go through data and then listen to locals.
