Marana named one of the 50 best small cities in America
Published on November 12, 2026
MARANA, Ariz. (November 12, 2026) – The Town of Marana has been named one of the 50 Best Small Cities in America, earning the No. 47 position in Livability's inaugural national ranking.
The list recognizes communities with populations between 15,000 and 75,000 based on quality-of-life factors and affordability. Marana is one of two Arizona communities included in the ranking.
According to Livability, the evaluation considered more than 2,000 cities nationwide using nearly 100 data points across eight categories: Economy, Housing and Cost of Living, Amenities, Transportation, Environment, Safety, Education and Health.
Marana received particularly strong scores in the Transportation, Safety, and Housing and Cost of Living categories. The publication's assessment also recognizes the community's combination of regional accessibility, recreational amenities, local traditions and agricultural heritage.
Located northwest of Tucson, Marana offers residents access to a variety of recreational, cultural and community amenities. The Town is home to parks and open spaces, as well as portions of The Loop regional shared-use path system. Its location along the Interstate 10 corridor also provides connections to communities and destinations throughout Southern Arizona.
Marana's community character is shaped by its agricultural history and longstanding local traditions. Annual events such as Marana Founders' Day and Marana Fall Festival bring residents together and celebrate the Town's heritage.
The Livability ranking was developed in partnership with data analytics firm Applied Geographic Solutions. Its methodology evaluates communities across eight categories, with additional emphasis on housing affordability. The analysis considers factors including median home values and the relationship between housing costs and local incomes.
Learn More
Marana's community profile and the complete list of the 50 Best Small Cities in America are available through Livability: