These Cities Are Embracing Walkability
A growing roster of American cities is earning recognition for exceptional walkability and strong transit options, with the most recent data placing San Francisco and New York prominently at the top. However, the landscape of walk- and ride-friendly environments is more varied and expansive than a handful of flagship metros, as a detailed look by StorageCafe at several leading and emerging cities reveals.
San Francisco leads the nation as the most walkable city in the United States, boasting a Walk Score of 89. The city’s tightly packed neighborhoods, robust public transit system, and the implementation of pedestrian-first policies such as the Better Streets Plan have created a city where car ownership is often unnecessary.
New York follows closely with a Walk Score of 88, highlighted by more than half of households living car-free. New York’s 24/7 subway system and a multi-borough approach that integrates amenities within walking distance make navigation convenient and efficient.
Boston, ranking third with a Walk Score of 83, leverages its compact, historic core and the nation’s oldest subway system. The city’s latest investments—such as the Rose Kennedy Greenway—have further strengthened neighborhood and downtown connectivity, helping daily commuters and visitors alike find their way on foot.
Other large metro areas are also at the forefront. Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. both maintain Walk Scores in the mid-to-high seventies, thanks to downtowns designed with pedestrians in mind and ongoing enhancements to urban trails and waterfronts. Washington, in particular, benefits from diagonal avenues that shorten walking routes, height restrictions on development that foster a more human scale, and an expansive Metro system.
Chicago, with a Walk Score of 77, continues to blend walkability and transit via its network of neighborhood commercial corridors and the elevated ‘L’ system, while Miami—recently transformed from a car-dependent city—now achieves a Walk Score of 77, propelled by dense, mixed-use neighborhoods like Brickell and vibrant pedestrian zones along Miami Beach.
Seattle, Portland, and Long Beach provide examples of cities aggressively reinvesting in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Seattle’s dramatic improvements on its waterfront and expanding Link light rail system—combined with numerous neighborhood hubs—have lifted its Walk Score to 74. Portland stands out with the nation’s smallest urban blocks and a car-free bridge, ensuring easy pedestrian flow and emphasizing sustainability. Long Beach distinguishes itself by merging beachfront living with urban amenities, connecting neighborhoods with trails, and supporting walkability with flourishing bike-sharing options.
Mid-sized and smaller cities are quietly gaining ground in pedestrian-oriented development. Minneapolis leverages its skyway system for year-round walking, Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods on steep hillsides are increasingly well-connected for foot travel, and St. Louis has reinvigorated historic districts for walkable lifestyles. New Orleans’ French Quarter and Garden District remain iconic for their continuous, pedestrian-friendly streets and a streetcar system, while Burlington, Vermont, and Ann Arbor, Michigan top the walkability lists for smaller cities, the former with car-free downtowns and the latter with extensive pedestrian zones anchored by universities.
Affordability is emerging as an important dimension in the walkability conversation. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland are all cited as accessible options for those seeking urban walking experiences without the high costs seen in cities like San Francisco and New York. These communities maintain excellent pedestrian infrastructure and public transportation, enabling a car-free lifestyle at a lower price point.
In short, walkability isn’t restricted to the nation’s largest financial and cultural powerhouses. Instead, policies prioritizing safe sidewalks, connected neighborhoods, effective public transit, and consistent investment in infrastructure have helped cities of all sizes climb the rankings.
StorageCafe research also shows a significant shift in resident preferences, with nearly four out of five millennials and members of Gen Z now placing walkability at or near the top of their list when selecting a city or neighborhood. This trend is triggering broad urban interventions, with more cities launching policies for pedestrian safety, creating car-free zones, and supporting public transit expansions.
Source: GlobeSt/ALM