AMES (AP) — Ames garnered high marks for quality of life in a survey of the best small cities in which to live.

The home of Iowa State is ranked second in ”The New Rating Guide to Life in America’s Small Cities,” a guide of nearly 200 cities that will be published next week.

Ames was second only to Mount Vernon, Wash., and led Morgantown, W.Va., Ithaca, N.Y., and Traverse City, Mich.

”I’ll take all the credit as mayor for the last eight years,” joked Mayor Larry Curtis.

Kevin Heubusch, the author of the book, gave the city the high rating for its low crime, citizens’ level of education and personal income.

Other Iowa cities that made the list include Burlington at No. 20, Clinton tied at No. 40 and Muscatine at No. 130.