Phillipsburg, NJ, United States

With a population of just 15,249, Phillipsburg is a sleepy town that has seen better days as a transportation hub. The median household income is a modest $42,825, and over 18% of the population lives below the poverty line. While the town benefits from its location along the Delaware River, the once-vibrant network of railroads and canals has largely fallen into disrepair. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the town governed under a complex Faulkner Act system. For those seeking an affordable, low-key lifestyle outside the big city, Phillipsburg may fit the bill, but the glory days of its industrial past are long gone.