"Sister City" received a 2.0 rating/6 share among viewers aged between 18 and 49.[11] The episode received generally positive reviews. Entertainment Weekly writer Henning Fog said "Sister City" continued a trend of excellence in the second season that has established Parks and Recreation as NBC's best comedy. Fog said the episode also further expanded its characters, by showing Leslie is not a complete pushover and Tom is a kind person.[7]