Mobile and Montgomery are earning national attention for how they manage city budgets, according to a new report by WalletHub ranking the best- and worst-run cities in America.

The financial website analyzed the efficiency of local leadership in 148 of the nation’s largest cities by comparing the quality of public services against per-capita spending. The result: a ranking highlighting cities that deliver the most for their budgets.

WalletHub’s methodology focused on what it calls “operating efficiency”—a balance between quality and cost. The overall scores were based on a “Quality of City Services” rating that incorporated 36 metrics across six major service categories: financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure & pollution. Each city’s performance was then evaluated alongside its per-resident budget.

Mobile was ranked the 24th best-run city in the United States, placing it among the top 25 overall. While its services ranked 94th, the city excelled in the category of taxpayer money management, ranking 14th in per-capita spending. This suggests that Mobile delivers its services on a lean budget, demonstrating strong fiscal management and operating efficiency.

Montgomery placed 58th overall, with a particularly strong showing in budget management. It ranked 21st in the nation for per-capita spending. Although Montgomery’s quality of services was rated lower, the city’s ability to maintain public operations on a limited budget highlights a level of fiscal responsibility that contributed to its higher overall position on the list.

The findings reflect positively on local leadership in both cities as they work to serve residents efficiently amid ongoing economic and infrastructure challenges.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].