Quincy, IL, United States

Capital City

The population of 39,463 belies Quincy's outsized importance as a transportation hub on the Mississippi River. While the historic architecture is picturesque, the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache - the city took five years to rebuild its tornado-ravaged courthouse after the 1945 disaster. With a cost of living well below the national average, Quincy may appeal to those seeking an affordable Midwestern lifestyle, but the harsh winters and occasional flooding events are drawbacks to consider.