Moving to a big city might increase your cost of living, but one way to offset this is to get rid of your car. Think about the expenses associated with owning a car: car payments, fuel, insurance, maintenance, annual registration costs, parking fines and fees, and maybe the occasional speeding ticket. If you could eliminate those expenditures, you would likely save a healthy chunk of change each month. However, not all cities are equally easy to navigate without a personal vehicle. The “walkability” of cities, or how pedestrian-friendly they are, has garnered quite a bit of attention lately.
Our Methodology: To create a comprehensive list of ideal cities for the carless, we looked at several metrics in addition to walkability ratings. We factored in how bicycle-friendly a city is as well as the accessibility of its public transportation. Our inclusion of crime rates makes our list unique and gives cities a different ranking than you might find elsewhere. Here’s our guide to the 10 best walkable cities in the US.
10: Newark
Newark, New Jersey ranks in the top five cities for walkability and the top ten for public transit. The Central Business District, North Ironbound, and University Heights neighborhoods are its most pedestrian-friendly. Crime rates in Newark are 33 percent above the national average.
9: New York City
The Big Apple ranks high on virtually every list of best walkable cities, and with good reason. Its walk score is the nation’s highest, as is its rank for accessible public transportation. New York is definitely a city in which most people are better off not having a car. Just about anything you want to do can be accomplished on foot or by a short subway or bus ride. Little Italy and Chinatown are the top neighborhoods for pedestrian accessibility. Its crime rate is surprisingly low, 26 percent below the national average. However, it didn’t make it into the top 15 of the nation’s most bicycle-friendly cities.
8: Washington, DC
The nation’s capital has a lot to offer pedestrians, from its breathtaking cherry blossom promenade in the spring to the accessibility of the museums and attractions of the National Mall. It’s in the top 10 for walkability and bicycle-friendliness and the top five for public transportation. Its most walkable neighborhood is Dupont Circle, which also serves as the city’s unofficial cultural hub. DC’s crime rate is slightly more than twice the national average.
7: San Francisco
The Golden Gate City was the only city to rank among the top five for all three of our travel mode metrics. It ranks at number three in the nation for walkability, number two for bike-friendliness, and number two for public transportation. The best San Francisco neighborhood for walkability is China Town. Its crime rate, more than twice the national average, was the leading factor in its lower ranking on our list; however, crime has dropped by eight percent in the past year.
6: Minneapolis
The lakes and waterways of this Minnesota city make it a pleasant place for a stroll. It’s in the top 15 for pedestrian-friendly and public transportation scores, but its best point is its rank at the top of the list of best cities for bicyclists. The city boasts 34 miles of bike-only lanes, and it features dozens of bicycle sharing kiosks. Its crime rate, however, is 94 percent higher than the national average.
5: Philadelphia
The City of Brotherly Love is in the top five for walkability, the top 10 for public transit, and the top 15 for bikeability. Its most walkable neighborhoods include Rittenhouse Square and Center City West. Crime here is 49 percent higher than the national average.
4: Chicago
The Windy City was in the top 10 for pedestrians, public transit users, and cyclists. The beauty of the Great Lakes is best enjoyed at foot speed. West Loop and East Ukrainian Village are among is most walker-friendly neighborhoods. The crime rate could use some work, but isn’t shocking at 35 percent higher than the national average.
3: Boston
Good news for Harvard students and Red Sox fans: Boston ranks in the top five for all three of our travel mode metrics. Bay Hill and Beacon Village are particularly amenable to foot traffic. Crime is just 14 percent higher than the national average and has dropped by five percent over the last year, making Beantown safer than 12 percent of major cities.
2: Jersey City
Trailing just behind New York as the nation’s most walkable city, Jersey City also ranks in the top five for public transit, making it entirely feasible to go carless. The lovely Historic Downtown district is its best area for pedestrians. Its standout feature is its crime rate, which is 27 percent lower than the national average.
1: Arlington
This Virginia city was our surprise winner. It ranked in the top 15 US cities for pedestrian- and bicycle-friendliness and in the top 10 for best public transportation, but the factor that set it head and shoulders above the competition was its impressively low crime rate. Total crime in Arlington is 56 percent below the national average, making it safer than nearly three-quarters of all US cities – an important metric if you’re spending a lot of time on foot. It’s one of only two cities in the state to receive a Walk Friendly Gold designation. Arlington’s city management is invested in constantly improving their town’s walkability. They host numerous walking clubs and promote a Safe Routes to School program. The city government’s website also features “Walkabouts,” a guide to walking routes and self-guided pedestrian tours of Arlington.
2 Point Highlight
If you could eliminate those expenditures, you would likely save a healthy chunk of change each month.
The Big Apple ranks high on virtually every list of best walkable cities, and with good reason.
