Coeur d'Alene, ID, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 54,628, Coeur d'Alene bills itself as a scenic idyll, but the bureaucratic headaches and environmental concerns are hard to ignore. The city's rapid growth - up 6.55% since the last census - has strained its infrastructure, and the Coeur d'Alene Basin's heavy metal pollution is a persistent problem. On the plus side, the tax burden is relatively light, with the state's median hourly wage of $14.51 below the national average. For outdoorsy types seeking a low-cost haven, Coeur d'Alene may fit the bill, but those seeking a more cosmopolitan lifestyle should look elsewhere.