Small Town vs. Big City Living: 20 Pros and Cons

Whether it’s across state lines or just 30 miles away, moving to a new city or town brings new opportunities, new communities, and a fresh start. It’s crucial to understand the kind of place you’re moving to, as pros and cons are a natural part of any town or city. Small towns and big cities have their essential pros, but some cons can make or break an entire move.

In this guide, we’ll go over 20 pros and cons of living in a big city vs. a small town.

Big City Living: Pros

1. Job Opportunities

Big cities are full of businesses of all kinds, in a variety of industries. Take Houston, for example, it has the largest hospital center in the world, and more than 1000 physicians work there. That doesn’t even take into account financial roles, marketing, construction, inventory management, sanitation, security, customer support, manufacturing, etc. The Texas Medical Center employs more than 100,000 people.

2. Walkability, public transportation

Big cities like Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Boston are known for having great walk scores, making transportation easier for all. Public transportation is also extremely popular in big cities and can make big cities much easier to get around.

3. Large, lively events

There are more than 150 domed arenas in the United States that hold 10,000 or more people. These arenas are for sports, concerts, conventions, trade shows, and large auctions. All things that you won’t find in a small town. In 2024 alone, the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, held over 320 events.

4. Diverse cultures and restaurants

Big cities attract national and international migration. Living in a big city welcomes unique cultures to take hold and blossom into something special. Ethnic enclaves like Chinatown in New York City, Little Havana in Miami, India Square in Jersey City, and many more all give their respective cities great art, food, and people, adding so much to a city's identity.

5. Travel Opportunities

Being close to any airport or popular travel destination is going to save you time, stress, and money. Living in a small town would mean longer commutes to a national airport or driving across multiple state lines. This is especially impactful if you have yearly family reunions, weddings, or simply love to travel.

Big City Living: Cons

1. Higher cost of living

Convenience comes at a cost. Living in a big city with all sorts of fun things to do, restaurants galore, and shopping trips that can be accomplished at an entire mall raises the cost of living. Housing, electricity, water, groceries, and auto insurance all tend to have higher prices than in small towns.

2. Air pollution, high traffic

The biggest cause of greenhouse gas emissions is transportation. This can be a cause for concern if you have any respiratory or heart conditions. Big cities and traffic go together like peas in a pod; 30-minute rush hour commutes are something to consider when moving to a big city.

3. Noise

It’s no secret that big cities are loud. The Department of Transportation's noise map shows where the loudest cities are in the nation. Noise can impact your sleep, work, and even your ability to relax in your own home. Be sure before signing an apartment lease, know what makes noise around your new home.

4. Smaller living spaces

Big cities are dense and full of high-rise apartment buildings and corporate skyscrapers. This means less living space for you, which, if you want a bigger home or apartment, will end up costing you.

5. Higher crime rates

More people in any place will increase the crime rate, regardless of the city. However, big city crimes are mostly condensed to smaller areas of a big city and tend not to spread out.

Small Town Living: Pros

1. Lower cost of living

Fewer overall daily expenses, lower housing costs, and shorter commutes will save you big. Additionally, if you have a completely remote job, it can be the most significant money saver of all.

2. Lighter traffic

Small towns do have smaller two or one-lane roads, but it’s all they need. Unless the small town you’re moving to is a popular tourist destination, you’ll likely see little to no traffic day-to-day in a small town.

3. Natural landscape

One of the best parts of a small town is proximity to the outdoors. Small towns are often still in parts of the country that have remained untouched, so appreciating the natural beauty of the landscape is essential when living in a small town.

4. Lower crime rates

You’ve probably heard the phrase “A town so small you could leave your door unlocked all night.” While not recommended due to wild animals, small towns are known for having low crime rates due to having such a small population.

5. Larger living spaces

Small towns are often broken down by land ownership. Some small towns advertise local land sales by the acre, inviting new people into the town to improve the local economy.

Small Town Living: Cons

1. Absence of things to do

Something to keep in mind about a small town is the lack of new things to do. Once you have seen all a small town has to offer, that’s it. So, if you’re planning on having a quiet lifestyle, a small town would be for you, but if you’re looking for something new occasionally, a bigger city is better.

2. Longer city-city commutes

Being farther from airports and cities means road trips, voluntary or not, are going to take much longer than being in a big city. Forget taking a rideshare service or taxi to the airport for less than $30.

3. Compromising is a necessity

A small town is not going to have all the amenities of a big city. There might be peace and quiet, but not a recreation center with a basketball court and an indoor swimming pool. There might be only a few public schools to choose from. A small town is the epitome of “you get what you get.”

4. Everyone knows you

While this may seem like a pro to many, every knowing you means that everyone knows your business and what you’re doing. Small towns are notorious for gossiping, so be aware of what you say and who you talk about.

5. Small job availability

Be ready to use your job experience in a job field that you may not enjoy. Small towns only have so many jobs, and creating jobs is not something that happens often in a small town.

Make Moving Easier with U-Haul

Moving to a big city or small town requires planning, a budget, and the right moving equipment. Let U-Haul help you on your journey. With our vast catalog of packing products, reliable trucks and trailers, and portable moving and storage containers, U-Haul has the know-how and experience to get you to your new home.

21,000 locations across the United States and Canada help millions move every year. You’ll never be too far from a U-Haul Center or Neighborhood Dealer.

Whether it’s a quiet life or a night on Broadway, U-Haul can help.