Albert Lea ranked No. 5 nationwide in a ranking this week of small-town livability by a real estate company.

The list of Top 10 Affordable Small Towns Where You’d Actually Want to Live, compiled by realtor.com, was released Monday.

The study evaluated median home prices, unemployment rates, serious crime rates and households that spend no more than 28 percent of their annual income on housing costs in more than 500 U.S. Census-designated micropolitan areas — communities with a population between 10,000 and 50,000.

The study looked at food options, history, culture, scenery and recreation opportunities.

In the findings, realtor.com listed Albert Lea’s median home price of $99,200 and a 3.9 percent unemployment rate.

The website listed Albert Lea’s status of being the first city to take part in the Blue Zones Project, which aimed to improve community residents’ health and well-being.

“Since the project launched in 2009, the town has taken on numerous programs toward this goal,” the report said.

It listed the doubling of tobacco-free worksites in Albert Lea to 23 percent.

“Local schools have improved nutritional offerings, and junk food is placed on higher shelves in stores,” the report said. “And the community has added bike lanes and healthy lifestyle workshops, and volunteerism has increased.”

Second Ward Councilor Larry Baker said Albert Lea has undergone a transformation in the last 10 to 15 years, and a lot of people want to invest in the community.

“Something like this is just a tribute to what this community has done,” he said.

“It’s a plus for the community. This community — it’s an outstanding community to live in.”

First Ward Councilor Rich Murray said the study provides affirmation for the community.

“Those of us who live in Albert Lea know it’s a nice place to live,” he said. Murray spoke highly of the community’s quality of life and low cost of living.

“(It’s) just an all-around good place to live,” he said.

The website said home values in the Twin Cities are on average more than double the price of local houses.

“If you’re leaving the big city for extra space, then this is your place,” according to the study. “Among the small towns we ranked, Albert Lea had the largest homes: About one in four is greater than 3,000 square feet.”

Realtor.com discussed the town being surrounded by Fountain, Pickerel and Albert Lea lakes.

Albert Lea was the only city in Minnesota listed in the top 10. It was listed as No. 3 by the company in 2015.

The Top 10 affordable small towns where you’d actually want to live:

• Logansport, Indiana

• Mexico, Missouri

• Guymon, Oklahoma

• Defiance, Ohio

• Albert Lea

• Emporia, Kansas

• Lexington, Nebraska

• Shawano, Wisconsin

• Dumas, Texas

• Spencer, Iowa

— realtor.com