The standard new automotive right now prices almost $49,000 – close to a document excessive. Used vehicles are additionally flirting with all-time highs. That’s as a result of automotive costs skyrocketed throughout the pandemic and have hardly fallen since, making automotive possession one of the biggest monetary burdens Individuals face.
A recent survey discovered that just about half of Individuals say automotive prices are standing in the way in which of monetary stability. However in most U.S. cities, proudly owning a automotive is virtually a requirement. This creates a divide between those that personal a automotive and those that don’t (often a racial one), impacting socioeconomic alternative, well being outcomes, and extra.
That’s why it issues to have the ability to get round and not using a automotive – and in some cities, it’s doable. On this article, Redfin actual property highlights the highest 10 U.S. cities the place you don’t want a automotive, ranked by their “Automotive-Free Rating.”
These cities provide strong public transportation, walkable neighborhood cores, and strong bike infrastructure. Study extra about how scores had been calculated within the methodology.
>> Study extra concerning the most walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly cities
1. Cambridge, MA
Automotive-Free Rating: 84.6 | Stroll Rating: 90 | Bike Rating: 96 | Transit Rating: 70
Residence to Harvard College, MIT, and a dense mixture of historic neighborhoods, Cambridge is the most effective metropolis within the U.S. for car-free residing. It excels in all three classes: Walkability, bikeability, and transit-friendliness.
- Strolling: Most of Cambridge is constructed on a human scale. Neighborhoods like Harvard Sq. and Central Sq. pack groceries, cafes, parks, and pharmacies inside just a few blocks – excellent for every day errands on foot.
- Biking: Cambridge is a national leader in bike infrastructure. Town has protected lanes on main corridors like Massachusetts Ave and Broadway, dozens of Bluebikes stations, and seamless hyperlinks to regional trails just like the Minuteman Bikeway and the Charles River path.
- Public transportation: Because it’s simply throughout the Charles River from Downtown Boston, Cambridge is deeply linked to Higher Boston by the MBTA. The Purple Line subway anchors the transit community, with stops in Harvard, Porter, Central, and Kendall. Bus routes fill within the gaps.
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2. New York, NY
Automotive-Free Rating: 81.5 | Stroll Rating: 88 | Bike Rating: 69 | Transit Rating: 89
New York City is likely one of the best locations within the U.S. to reside and not using a automotive. The truth is, less than half of residents even personal one, due to dense neighborhoods, dependable transit, and a road community constructed for strolling.
- Strolling: NYC is likely one of the most walkable cities on the planet. Manhattan neighborhoods just like the West Village, SoHo, and the Higher West Aspect are filled with outlets, companies, and parks inside a 5-10 minute stroll. The outer parts of town are a bit tougher to navigate on foot.
- Biking: Biking has surged in popularity due to Citi Bike, protected bike lanes, and greenways just like the Hudson River Greenway and the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. Town is rapidly expanding its bike community with a deal with security and connectivity.
- Public transportation: New York is America’s chief in public transportation. The subway community alone has 672 stations – practically as many because the mixed complete of all different subway techniques within the nation. Buses, ferries, and trains fill within the gaps.
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3. San Francisco, CA
Automotive-Free Rating: 79.1 | Stroll Rating: 89 | Bike Rating: 72 | Transit Rating: 77
San Francisco isn’t nearly tech corporations and bay views – it’s additionally the most effective cities within the nation to reside and not using a automotive. Its small structure, sturdy public transit system, and rising community of motorcycle lanes make it easy to go vehicle-free.
- Strolling: Regardless of its famously steep streets, San Francisco is amazingly walkable. Neighborhoods like North Seaside, the Mission, and Hayes Valley are particularly pedestrian-friendly, with outlets, eating places, homes, and transit stops in accessible clusters.
- Biking: San Francisco’s bike community has grown rapidly in recent times. Protected lanes on corridors like Valencia Avenue and JFK Promenade, together with the flat “Wiggle” route, make biking an more and more viable possibility. Bay Wheels bike-share provides comfort for fast journeys.
- Public transportation: An in depth mixture of Muni buses, streetcars, and lightweight rail serve 158 million journeys yearly, whereas BART connects San Francisco to the broader Bay Space.
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4. Berkeley, CA
Automotive-Free Rating: 75.1 | Stroll Rating: 85 | Bike Rating: 83 | Transit Rating: 60
Berkeley is a leader in pedestrian-first city planning. Pair that with a small footprint, delicate climate, and facilities like UC Berkeley, and Berkeley turns into the most effective cities for car-free residing.
- Strolling: Downtown Berkeley, Elmwood, and North Berkeley are designed round pedestrians. Eating places, markets, bookshops, and pharmacies are often just some blocks from houses and employment. Elsewhere, flat terrain and traffic-calmed streets make strolling typically secure and nice.
- Biking: Berkeley pioneered bike boulevards – low-traffic streets prioritized for cyclists – and continues to increase its protected bike lanes alongside key corridors like Bancroft Manner and Milvia Avenue. The Ohlone Greenway and Bay Path join Berkeley to neighboring cities for longer commutes.
- Public transportation: Three BART stations (Downtown, North Berkeley, and Ashby) present quick, frequent entry to Oakland, San Francisco, and the remainder of the Bay Space. AC Transit buses fill in native routes, together with direct traces to Emeryville, Richmond, and UC Berkeley’s campus.
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5. Boston, MA
Automotive-Free Rating: 74.7 | Stroll Rating: 83 | Bike Rating: 69 | Transit Rating: 72
Boston’s dense neighborhoods, cobblestone streets, and legacy infrastructure make it best for getting round sans-vehicles. As one of many most compact main cities within the U.S., many Boston residents can reside their entire lives with out ever needing a automotive. The bigger metropolitan space is far more car-dependent, although.
- Strolling: Neighborhoods just like the North Finish, Again Bay, and South Finish are crammed with facilities stitched collectively by a tightly packed road grid. Most locals can full every day errands solely on foot – in reality, every resident lives inside a ten minute stroll from a park.
- Biking: Boston’s bike community is booming, with protected lanes on routes like Massachusetts Ave and Washington Avenue. Town’s Bluebikes bike-share program has over 4,000 bikes throughout a whole lot of stations.
- Public transportation: The MBTA (the “T”) serves the whole area with 4 rail traces and a strong community of buses and commuter trains. The T is the fourth-most popular subway system within the nation.
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6. Jersey Metropolis, NJ
Automotive-Free Rating: 73.1 | Stroll Rating: 87 | Bike Rating: 64 | Transit Rating: 71
Jersey City affords comfort with out Manhattan crowds. It’s walkable, dense, and extremely well-connected by rail, ferry, and bus.
- Strolling: Downtown, the Waterfront, and Journal Sq. are probably the most walkable neighborhoods within the metropolis. Nevertheless, most areas are stuffed with eating places, pharmacies, and grocery shops inside strolling distance of housing and transit.
- Biking: Jersey Metropolis’s Bike infrastructure continues to develop, with fashionable routes alongside Grand Avenue and Montgomery Avenue. The Citi Bike program, shared with NYC, makes it simple to trip between Jersey Metropolis and Hoboken.
- Public transportation: PATH trains are the go-to possibility for commuters, with service to Manhattan and Newark 24 hours a day. NJ Transit serves the remainder of town and state, boasting the longest commuter rail community within the nation.
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7. Washington, D.C.
Automotive-Free Rating: 71.5 | Stroll Rating: 77 | Bike Rating: 70 | Transit Rating: 69
The nation’s capital can be among the many most people-friendly cities within the nation. Together with top-tier landmarks and loads of transit, Washington, D.C. demonstrates a commitment to enhance by public enter and motion.
- Strolling: With dense neighborhoods, brief blocks, and a mixture of housing and retail, D.C. makes it simple to get round on foot. One report acknowledged it as probably the most walkable metropolis within the nation. Areas like Dupont Circle and Capitol Hill are the most effective for pedestrians.
- Biking: D.C. continues to construct out its protected bike lanes, connecting extra neighborhoods every year. Town is currently working to create a long-term infrastructure plan. framework. There are additionally 1000’s of Capital Bikeshare bikes accessible throughout the better DMV.
- Public transportation: D.C.’s Metro system connects most main neighborhoods and extends into Maryland and Virginia. Frequent trains and a dense bus community make it simple to get round with out counting on a automotive.
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8. Chicago, IL
Automotive-Free Rating: 71.3 | Stroll Rating: 77 | Bike Rating: 72 | Transit Rating: 65
Chicago blends a grid-based structure with sturdy transit and bike infrastructure, making it one of the pedestrian-friendly cities within the nation.
- Strolling: Chicago’s downtown core is probably the most walkable by far, in neighborhoods just like the Loop, Logan Sq., and Hyde Park. Within the often-cold winter, the underground and aboveground Pedway is one of the best ways to get round downtown. Summertime brings regular street festivals that encourage strolling.
- Biking: Biking is a serious a part of metropolis life in Chicago. Town has over 300 miles of motorcycle lanes – many protected – together with high-traffic commuter routes like Milwaukee Avenue and the 18-mile Lakefront Path.
- Public transportation: The CTA’s “L” system reaches practically each neighborhood on the town, with 24-hour practice service on choose traces and an intensive internet of buses and commuter trains that attain suburbs like Naperville and Wheaton.
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9. Philadelphia, PA
Automotive-Free Rating: 69.4 | Stroll Rating: 75 | Bike Rating: 67 | Transit Rating: 67
Philadelphia is turning into increasingly known for its top-tier walkability. Strolling from the Schuylkill River to Penn’s touchdown is an gratifying breeze that brings you thru a number of the area’s most well-known landmarks. Town isn’t carried out stretching its car-free legs but, both, with decades of improvements lined up.
- Strolling: Heart Metropolis is Philly’s bread and butter, the place you’ll discover most necessities inside a brief stroll. Slender streets, brief blocks, and quick access to transit and bike lanes make strolling a seamless a part of every day life. Queen Village and Fishtown are different prime spots.
- Biking: Philadelphia has plans to create a Excessive-High quality Bike Community by 2040, and presently creates miles of recent paths yearly. For individuals who don’t personal a bicycle, Indego affords bike-sharing.
- Public transportation: SEPTA’s mixture of subways, trolleys, buses, and commuter rail offers residents entry to nearly each nook of town. The Broad Avenue and Market-Frankford traces run steadily and type the spine of Philly’s transit community.
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10. Minneapolis, MN
Automotive-Free Rating: 69.0 | Stroll Rating: 71.4 | Bike Rating: 84 | Transit Rating: 55
Thanks partially to Move Minneapolis, Minneapolis has grow to be a pacesetter in energetic transportation. It has the best Bike Rating of any main U.S. metropolis and is committed to walkability and climate-friendly infrastructure.
- Strolling: The crown jewel of Minneapolis’ walkability is its skyway system. These climate-controlled, interconnected walkways give pedestrians entry to 80+ blocks of car-free indoor walkways – excellent for chilly winters.
- Biking: Minneapolis is the most bikeable main metropolis within the U.S., due to its flat terrain and distinctive path community. The Midtown Greenway and Cedar Lake Path type a biking spine by town, supported by a powerful native bike tradition and statewide support. The Good Experience app offers ridesharing.
- Public transportation: Whereas a smaller transit system, the METRO gentle rail traces hyperlink downtown to the airport and suburbs. Bus routes just like the A and D traces present sooner service on key corridors and out to the Twin Metropolis’s suburbs.
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The advantages of going car-free
Ditching the automotive can present quite a few advantages to your self and your neighborhood. Listed below are just a few highlights.
- Monetary financial savings and financial progress: Eliminating automotive possession can save the common American over $15,000 annually on gasoline, insurance coverage, parking, and taxes. Strolling, biking, or taking transit additionally encourages spending and boosts economies.
- Improved well being and happiness: Common motion from strolling or biking improves bodily health, reduces stress, and can lead to an extended life. Cities that put money into pedestrian infrastructure and public transportation report more healthy and happier residents, fewer visitors fatalities, and higher air high quality.
- Environmental advantages and comfort: Private transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gases within the U.S., so lowering dependence on it may possibly considerably cut back carbon emissions. Public transit, specifically, can cut back your carbon footprint by two-thirds per kilometer – all whereas saving time throughout peak durations.
The place can we go from right here?
Cities have traditionally grown round folks. That’s why pre-industrial cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia include dozens of bite-sized metropolis facilities, typically with a grocery retailer and different facilities simply accessible on foot.
At present, following a century of car-centric city planning, this concept is resurfacing because the “15-minute city.” The time period was popularized in Paris as a mannequin for constructing neighborhoods the place all the pieces you want is only a 15-minute stroll, bike, or transit trip away. Experts believe this technique advantages everybody in the long run and can assist cut back humanity’s carbon footprint. Cities from Portland, OR, to Cedar Rapids, IA have plans to implement this idea.
The overwhelming majority of Individuals have by no means skilled this life-style. In Atlanta, for instance, simply 10% of journeys happen in a 15-minute radius. However when introduced the choice, folks naturally gravitate towards handy, car-free journeys.
There’ll all the time be conditions the place driving is simpler or sooner, and in most U.S. cities, automotive possession is critical. However as extra cities prioritize human-sized design, these tradeoffs might finally fade.
Methodology
We ranked the cities the place individuals are least more likely to want a automotive by calculating a “Automotive-Free Rating” for all U.S. cities with a inhabitants of 100,000 or better. We calculated this rating by taking the geometric imply of every metropolis’s Walk Score, Bike Score, and Transit Score by way of Walkscore.com, a Redfin firm. Every rating is on a scale from 0-100. We opted for the geometric imply with a view to higher account for outliers within the knowledge.
