Money magazine has released its much-anticipated 2016 list of the best places in the nation to live, and, among small cities, top honors go to Columbia, Maryland.

Money magazine has released its much-anticipated 2016 list of the best places in the nation to live, and, among small cities, top honors go to Columbia, Maryland. 
The planned community boasts a range of housing options allowing people of numerous socioeconomic backgrounds to call it home. 
Eden Prairie, Minnesota comes in second, continuing is history of high placement on the list. 
Third is awarded to Plano, Texas, and West Des Moines, Iowa fills the fourth slot. 
Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey; Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and Clarkstown, New York take 5th, 6th, and 7th spots respectively. 
Rounding out the top 10 are, in order, Weston, Florida; Beaverton, Oregon; and Naperville, Illinois. 
In arriving at their picks,  the magazine looked at cities with populations ranging from 50,000 and 300,000. 
Factors considered included, "affordable housing, low taxes, good schools and strong job opportunities."