Healthiest & Unhealthiest Cities in America (2024)

Location matters when it comes to health. Some places promote wellness by expanding access to nutritious food and recreational facilities. Others strive to keep healthcare costs affordable for everyone or keep parks clean and well-maintained. Of course, the most pressing health issue in the past two years has been the COVID-19 pandemic. Although life has returned almost to normal now, city leaders need to stay vigilant for any future health crises to safeguard the wellness of their residents, both physically and mentally.

When a city doesn’t take care of these many important issues, it can be hard to keep up good health. After all, the cost of care in the U.S. is rising, which is especially hard in the midst of high inflation. Plus, there are so many sources of health advice online that it can be difficult for a person to figure out what is legitimate and what is just a fad.

To determine which areas prioritize residents’ well-being, WalletHub compared more than 180 of the most populated U.S. cities across 43 key indicators of good health. Our data set ranges from the cost of a medical visit to fruit and vegetable consumption to the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated.

Table of Contents

Main FindingsAsk the ExpertsMethodology

Main Findings

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Healthiest Places to Live in the U.S.

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Health Care	Food	Fitness	Green Space
1	San Francisco, CA	67.07	30	1	53	1
2	Seattle, WA	65.22	11	2	8	9
3	Honolulu, HI	62.23	51	8	74	2
4	San Diego, CA	61.94	43	5	26	5
5	Salt Lake City, UT	61.86	45	14	6	3
6	Portland, OR	61.09	16	6	71	6
7	Washington, DC	59.78	32	9	35	15
8	Minneapolis, MN	58.51	21	22	49	8
9	Denver, CO	58.42	34	13	25	17
10	Irvine, CA	57.63	14	37	18	14
11	Boston, MA	57.39	7	11	68	41
12	Scottsdale, AZ	57.22	36	59	1	19
13	Atlanta, GA	57.11	74	18	7	27
14	Austin, TX	56.49	40	21	31	22
15	Portland, ME	56.38	4	23	126	10
16	New York, NY	56.33	54	3	145	18
17	Huntington Beach, CA	56.29	39	40	4	28
18	Madison, WI	56.20	22	29	22	29
19	Fremont, CA	56.14	8	28	16	52
20	Burlington, VT	55.85	5	34	39	55
21	Oakland, CA	55.84	53	7	82	38
22	San Jose, CA	55.62	25	19	104	16
23	South Burlington, VT	55.57	3	15	135	84
24	Los Angeles, CA	55.54	115	4	89	21
25	Orlando, FL	54.59	82	15	27	43
26	Chicago, IL	54.33	92	12	66	35
27	Pittsburgh, PA	53.95	33	25	41	50
28	Glendale, CA	53.81	61	50	24	11
29	Columbia, MD	53.57	1	60	51	88
30	Las Vegas, NV	53.46	159	24	20	23
31	Raleigh, NC	53.34	9	36	2	121
32	Overland Park, KS	52.82	2	98	21	92
33	Sacramento, CA	52.61	106	17	96	30
34	Miami, FL	52.55	60	10	100	72
35	Grand Rapids, MI	52.52	38	48	28	60
36	Missoula, MT	52.42	17	120	36	25
37	Cincinnati, OH	52.35	118	56	15	24
38	Tampa, FL	52.30	99	26	19	64
39	Tempe, AZ	52.26	78	70	10	31
40	St. Louis, MO	51.95	123	39	14	45
41	Oceanside, CA	51.88	48	65	11	87
42	Fort Lauderdale, FL	51.70	52	49	44	44
43	Plano, TX	50.90	23	93	9	69
44	St. Paul, MN	50.87	56	57	63	42
45	Phoenix, AZ	50.71	96	30	67	51
46	Philadelphia, PA	50.51	111	20	87	54
47	Rochester, NY	50.49	69	31	120	26
48	Long Beach, CA	50.44	86	33	79	56
49	Lincoln, NE	50.40	10	118	13	74
50	Albuquerque, NM	50.24	114	67	97	13
51	Sioux Falls, SD	50.24	12	74	50	103
52	Yonkers, NY	50.21	19	32	147	39
53	Santa Rosa, CA	50.19	67	54	47	61
54	Virginia Beach, VA	50.12	6	81	33	97
55	Boise, ID	50.12	28	95	29	58
56	Billings, MT	49.95	37	73	30	124
57	St. Petersburg, FL	49.90	71	62	32	59
58	Vancouver, WA	49.84	68	87	12	80
59	Pembroke Pines, FL	49.81	49	96	40	32
60	Buffalo, NY	49.67	59	38	88	67
61	Santa Clarita, CA	49.63	42	71	84	36
62	Garden Grove, CA	49.44	83	45	143	4
63	Anaheim, CA	49.36	76	41	75	65
64	Providence, RI	49.30	47	76	94	34
65	Juneau, AK	49.13	105	52	155	12
66	Richmond, VA	48.75	72	66	17	104
67	Pearl City, HI	48.49	13	88	119	73
68	West Valley City, UT	48.30	108	42	109	47
69	Wilmington, DE	48.19	94	79	73	37
70	Charlotte, NC	48.18	55	43	34	126
71	Aurora, CO	48.04	50	68	23	108
72	Bismarck, ND	47.94	57	89	42	149
73	Colorado Springs, CO	47.92	89	72	37	75
74	Bridgeport, CT	47.82	35	121	129	7
75	Tacoma, WA	47.40	116	44	52	119
76	Baltimore, MD	47.30	132	27	105	82
77	Reno, NV	47.21	126	91	54	48
78	Jersey City, NJ	46.82	87	35	134	78
79	Charleston, SC	46.57	31	110	62	131
80	Louisville, KY	46.44	91	58	70	93
81	Chandler, AZ	46.41	70	99	3	137
82	Omaha, NE	46.34	26	112	46	109
83	Riverside, CA	46.23	131	51	48	98
84	Oxnard, CA	45.81	81	63	140	46
85	Tucson, AZ	45.77	130	47	111	68
86	Nashua, NH	45.73	58	107	38	156
87	Manchester, NH	45.62	73	122	43	114
88	Milwaukee, WI	45.59	98	77	123	63
89	Fargo, ND	45.52	41	108	101	115
90	Worcester, MA	45.49	24	106	112	99
91	Spokane, WA	45.45	112	84	58	102
92	Gilbert, AZ	45.27	62	103	5	161
93	Jacksonville, FL	45.25	147	80	61	79
94	Houston, TX	45.24	122	53	65	116
95	Salem, OR	45.01	85	78	113	89
96	Aurora, IL	44.97	66	109	141	20
97	Cedar Rapids, IA	44.93	20	148	59	136
98	Durham, NC	44.87	29	61	85	157
99	San Antonio, TX	44.76	139	102	56	76
100	Chula Vista, CA	44.59	46	90	95	133
101	Lexington-Fayette, KY	44.30	63	86	110	122
102	Warwick, RI	44.18	27	104	114	160
103	Dallas, TX	44.09	137	64	76	113
104	Rapid City, SD	44.02	18	100	156	90
105	Cleveland, OH	43.76	134	46	131	94
106	Peoria, AZ	43.53	88	129	78	101
107	Chesapeake, VA	43.52	15	132	115	110
108	New Haven, CT	43.44	79	113	157	33
109	New Orleans, LA	43.44	157	123	102	49
110	Santa Ana, CA	43.43	136	55	124	95
111	Mesa, AZ	43.34	113	92	45	139
112	Anchorage, AK	43.27	143	97	152	40
113	Modesto, CA	43.23	150	105	106	66
114	Glendale, AZ	42.75	133	115	57	107
115	Columbus, OH	42.36	103	82	125	123
116	Cheyenne, WY	42.33	64	169	117	144
117	Fort Worth, TX	42.04	104	119	60	143
118	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	42.02	109	145	80	111
119	Kansas City, MO	41.98	95	114	128	96
120	Indianapolis, IN	41.76	101	101	86	152
121	Springfield, MO	41.65	164	156	55	86
122	Nampa, ID	41.40	158	133	64	138
123	Des Moines, IA	41.30	65	131	118	140
124	Henderson, NV	41.21	138	149	137	62
125	Knoxville, TN	40.81	165	117	81	142
126	Birmingham, AL	40.66	124	159	69	112
127	Stockton, CA	40.53	172	94	138	83
128	Fresno, CA	40.43	144	85	139	125
129	Nashville, TN	40.41	121	83	136	146
130	Columbia, SC	40.33	84	141	98	169
131	Cape Coral, FL	40.16	119	140	108	150
132	Newport News, VA	40.02	80	147	149	85
133	Dover, DE	39.71	97	166	121	166
134	Casper, WY	39.64	151	155	148	71
135	Akron, OH	39.46	127	130	150	81
136	Tulsa, OK	39.38	140	157	72	132
137	Huntsville, AL	39.27	102	160	103	167
138	Lewiston, ME	39.07	90	134	164	135
139	El Paso, TX	39.02	145	116	158	91
140	Ontario, CA	39.02	154	136	151	57
141	Tallahassee, FL	38.98	120	171	91	117
142	Oklahoma City, OK	38.91	75	139	132	151
143	Little Rock, AR	38.87	148	144	93	162
144	Norfolk, VA	38.85	44	128	154	155
145	Port St. Lucie, FL	38.64	135	124	122	170
146	Bakersfield, CA	38.56	168	126	144	100
147	San Bernardino, CA	38.54	174	111	166	70
148	Hialeah, FL	38.40	107	69	172	159
149	Chattanooga, TN	38.22	128	168	130	77
150	Irving, TX	38.11	153	137	107	145
151	Arlington, TX	37.96	110	151	127	147
152	Moreno Valley, CA	37.69	142	127	171	105
153	Newark, NJ	37.63	175	75	162	134
154	Greensboro, NC	37.51	93	150	90	173
155	Grand Prairie, TX	37.49	128	153	173	53
156	Mobile, AL	37.36	163	142	99	174
157	Lubbock, TX	37.12	171	170	83	148
158	Wichita, KS	36.72	149	165	77	164
159	Fontana, CA	36.23	146	143	163	127
160	Fort Wayne, IN	36.16	156	135	92	179
161	Las Cruces, NM	36.05	77	177	169	129
162	Garland, TX	35.95	155	146	167	118
163	Baton Rouge, LA	35.36	162	174	133	128
164	Jackson, MS	35.18	117	154	153	175
165	Toledo, OH	34.56	176	152	165	120
166	Winston-Salem, NC	34.54	100	172	116	178
167	Amarillo, TX	33.75	177	163	161	141
168	Huntington, WV	33.29	173	138	178	153
169	Charleston, WV	33.20	141	158	160	180
170	North Las Vegas, NV	33.12	178	164	180	106
171	Fort Smith, AR	32.98	160	162	177	165
172	Detroit, MI	32.97	181	125	176	154
173	Corpus Christi, TX	32.60	180	161	159	158
174	Laredo, TX	31.62	152	178	181	130
175	Fayetteville, NC	31.57	125	176	168	176
176	Memphis, TN	31.39	179	173	146	168
177	Montgomery, AL	30.51	161	180	142	182
178	Augusta, GA	30.20	167	167	175	181
179	Columbus, GA	29.05	182	175	170	171
180	Shreveport, LA	28.31	170	181	179	163
181	Gulfport, MS	28.19	166	179	174	177
182	Brownsville, TX	25.72	169	182	182	172

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Cost of Medical Visit

Lowest

1. Laredo, TX
2. Brownsville, TX
T-3. Baltimore, MD
T-3. Columbia, MD
5. Fort Smith, AR

Highest

178. Milwaukee, WI
179. Fargo, ND
T-180. Madison, WI
T-180. Anchorage, AK
T-180. Juneau, AK

Best City vs. Worst City: 4x Difference

Laredo, TX vs. Juneau, AK

Premature-Death Rate

Lowest

1. San Jose, CA
2. Plano, TX
3. Columbia, MD
T-4. Anaheim, CA
T-4. Irvine, CA
T-4. Huntington Beach, CA

Ask the Experts

With health care still a hot issue, we asked a panel of experts to weigh in on how to build good personal health. Click on the experts’ profiles below to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

What are the most important factors to consider in choosing a city that is good for your health?
Since health and wealth are both long-term investments, what are some effective strategies for convincing people to invest more in their health today?
What tips do you have for a person looking to embrace a more healthy lifestyle while on a budget?
What measures can local authorities undertake in order to improve local health care systems?

Ask the Experts

Jia Yu
Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Economics, School of Business – Southern Connecticut State University
Read More

Peter A. Muennig
Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Columbia Population Research Center – Columbia University
Read More

Stephanie Woolhandler
Distinguished Professor, School of Urban Public Health – Hunter College, CUNY Graduate Center
Read More

Teevrat Garg
Associate Professor of Economics, School of Global Policy & Strategy at the University of California - San Diego
Read More

Ramon Castellblanch
Professor Emeritus of Public Health – San Francisco State University
Read More

Methodology

In order to identify the overall healthiest cities in the U.S., WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across four key dimensions: 1) Health Care, 2) Food, 3) Fitness and 4) Green Space. Our sample considers only the city proper in each case and excludes cities in the surrounding metro area.

We evaluated the four dimensions using 43 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for a healthy lifestyle. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the state level only. For metrics marked with two asterisks (**), we calculated the population size using the square root of the population in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

We then determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Health Care – Total Points: 25

Premature-Death Rate: Triple Weight (~3.57 Points)
Note: “Premature Death” refers to years of potential life lost.
Mental Health: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults reporting 14 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past month.
Mental-Health Counselors per Capita: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: Mental-Health Counselors refers to Mental Health Counselors and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers.
Physical Health: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults reporting 14 or more physically unhealthy days in the past month.
Family Doctors per Capita: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Dentists per Capita: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Cost of Medical Visit: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Cost of Dental Visit: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Cost of Basic Medicine: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This metric refers to cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex or equivalent brands).
Quality of Public Hospital System: Full* Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This metric is based on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ ranking of public hospital systems.
Percentage of Residents Who Are Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19: Double Weight (~2.38 Points)
Hospital Beds per Capita: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Adult Health-Insurance Coverage: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults ages 19 to 64 with health insurance coverage.
Youth Health-Insurance Coverage: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of youths ages 18 and younger with health insurance coverage.
Share of Adults Who Visited a Doctor or a Dentist in the Past Year: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Share of Adults Who Checked their Cholesterol in the Past 5 years: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Mammography Screenings Among Women Ages 50–74: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Share of Women & Men Ages 65 and Older Who Received Core Preventive Services: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of women aged 65 and older who report having received all of the following: an influenza vaccination in the past year; a pneumococcal vaccination (PPV) ever; either a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) within the past year, a sigmoidoscopy within the past 5 years and a FOBT within the past 3 years, or a colonoscopy within the previous 10 years; and a mammogram in the past 2 years and men aged 65 and older who report having received all of the following: an influenza vaccination in the past year; a PPV ever; and either a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) within the past year, a sigmoidoscopy within the past 5 years and a FOBT within the past 3 years, or a colonoscopy within the past 10 years.

Food – Total Points: 25

Inadequate Fruit & Vegetable Consumption: Double Weight (~5.00 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults consuming fewer than one serving of fruits or vegetables per day.
Farmer's Markets per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Gourmet Specialty-Food Stores per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Healthy Restaurants per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: “Healthy Restaurants” refers to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free establishments.
Dietitians & Nutritionists per Capita: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Share of Residents Who Say They Eat Healthy: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric is based on Gallup and Sharecare's 2016 Community Rankings for Healthy Eating report which examines healthy eating across the nation.
Google Search Interest for “Healthy Eating”: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric measures the search interest for “healthy food near me”, “healthy dinner ideas”, “healthy snacks”, “health food stores”, “healthy recipes”, “healthy grocery list”.
Share of Obese Residents: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Limited Access to Healthy Foods: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of the population who earn a low income and do not live within a reasonable distance to a grocery store.

Fitness – Total Points: 25

Share of Adults Who Engage in Any Physical Activity: Double Weight (~6.25 Points)
Well-Being “Physical” Score: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Note: This metric refers to the city’s score in the “Physical” section of the Sharecare Community Well-Being Index rankings. “Physical” refers to having good health and enough energy to get things done daily.
Fitness & Instruction Centers per Capita**: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Average Cost of Fitness-Club Membership: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Weight-Loss Centers per Capita**: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Fitness Trainers & Aerobics Instructors per Capita: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Intramural Leagues per Capita (sqrt of pop): Full Weight (~3.13 Points)

Green Space – Total Points: 25

Parkland Acres per Capita: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Quality of Parks: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Note: This metric measures “parks spending per capita” as a proxy for “parks quality.”
Hiking Trails per Capita**: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Walk Score: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Bike Score: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Physical-Activity Access: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of the population with adequate access to locations for engaging in physical activity.
City “Greenness”: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s "Greenest Cities in America" ranking that encompasses environmental metrics like air quality or “green” transportation.
Recreation Access: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s "" ranking.

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Council for Community and Economic Research, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, County Health Rankings, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Yelp, Numbeo, Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, Google Ads, The Trust for Public Land, Expatistan, Walk Score, Gallup-Sharecare, IMLeagues and WalletHub research.

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Important Disclosures

FAQs

Healthiest & Unhealthiest Cities in America? ›

San Francisco was followed by Honolulu, Hawaii; Seattle, Washington; San Diego, California; and Washington, D.C., in the top five. At the other end, the lowest-rated health scores were in Brownsville, Texas; Gulfport, Mississippi; and Columbus, Georgia.

See Details ›

What is the #1 healthiest city in America? ›

Topping the list as the healthiest city in America is San Francisco, California, renowned for its commitment to sustainability, access to quality healthcare, and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.

Learn More ›

What is the most unhealthy place in the US? ›

The unhealthiest place to live in the U.S. is Brownsville, Texas, according to personal finance site WalletHub. In a report released April 1, WalletHub determined the healthiest cities in the U.S. The site compared 182 cities across four dimensions: healthcare, food, fitness and green space.

Where do the healthiest people live in the US? ›

San Francisco is officially the healthiest city in America. After 3 years at the top of the list, Miami has moved to #2—making room for The City by the Bay to clinch the top spot. This Northern California metro jumped up 5 spots from last year and ranks highly across many dimensions of wellness.

Where is the happiest and healthiest place to live? ›

THE HAPPIEST / HEALTHIEST PLACES ON EARTH – BLUE ZONES

The Italian island of Sardinia.
Okinawa, Japan.
Loma Linda, California.
Costa Rica's isolated Nicoya Peninsula.
Ikaria, an isolated Greek island.

Jan 19, 2024

View Details ›

Where do the fittest people live? ›

The Fittest Cities in the United States

Arlington, Virginia.
Washington, D.C.
Seattle, Washington.
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Irvine, California.
Madison, Wisconsin.
San Francisco, California.
St. Paul, Minnesota.

More items...

Jan 10, 2024

Read The Full Story ›

What is the #1 healthiest state in the US? ›

The top 10 healthiest states include Hawaii, Colorado, Vermont, Utah, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, Rhode Island and New Jersey. Hawaii secures its spot at number one with the highest score of 79.40 out of 100. Hawaii ranks as the healthiest state with a final score of 79.4.

Read On ›

What is the unhealthiest state to live in? ›

West Virginia

West Virginia is the most unhealthy state in America, based on our analysis. The Mountain State ranks worst overall in our lifestyle habits and health outlook category. West Virginia's sobering statistics include: Highest percentage of adults who smoke (21%).

Find Out More ›

What is the fittest city in America? ›

Arlington was named “America's Fittest City” for the sixth consecutive year, with top scores in both the personal health and community/environment sub-scores.

Learn More Now ›

What is the least obese city in America? ›

Seattle is the least overweight and obese city in the U.S., according to personal finance site WalletHub.

Discover More Details ›

What city in the U.S. has the best healthcare? ›

US Results

No	City	TOTAL SCORE
1	Boston	99.64
2	Los Angeles	89.89
3	New York	89.33

24 more rows

Find Out More ›

What state has the lowest health? ›

West Virginia is the state with the least healthy population, while Hawaii has the healthiest residents, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis released Jan. 8.

Which U.S. city has the best quality of life? ›

The best U.S. city for quality of life is Ann Arbor, Mich.

A 2023 SmartAsset study report says Ann Arbor saw its Gen Z population — those ages 18 to 24 — grow the fastest in 2022. The city had 26.4% new Gen Zers and a total population of 35.9%.

Discover More ›

What is America's happiest city? ›

Fremont, CA

Find Out More ›

Where do most holistic people live? ›

The most health-conscious cities

Portland, OR. Amenities: 19. Access to healthy food: 6. ...
Washington, D.C. Amenities: 16. Access to healthy food: 14. ...
Colorado Springs, CO. Amenities: 47. Access to healthy food: 13. ...
Sacramento, CA. Amenities: 17. Access to healthy food: 16. ...
Irvine, CA. Amenities: 3. Access to healthy food: 3.

Jan 6, 2017

Learn More ›

What is America's fittest city? ›

Arlington was named “America's Fittest City” for the sixth consecutive year, with top scores in both the personal health and community/environment sub-scores.

Learn More ›

What city in the US has the best healthcare? ›

US Results

No	City	TOTAL SCORE
1	Boston	99.64
2	Los Angeles	89.89
3	New York	89.33

24 more rows