Nampa, ID, United States

Nampa is an affordable but bureaucratic place, home to over 81,000 residents. The city's population grew by nearly 20% in the past decade, fueled in part by its reasonable cost of living - the median home value is just $191,800. However, navigating the local government can be a persistent headache, as the city expanded its city council from 4 to 6 members in 2013. Nampa's regional ties to Boise and robust higher education options, including Northwest Nazarene University, make it an appealing landing spot for families and young professionals seeking a lower-cost alternative to the Boise metro area.