State Trivia & Facts

25 Healthiest and Unhealthiest US Cities You Need to Know About

In the quest for a healthier lifestyle, the environment plays a crucial role. Recent studies have ranked cities across the United States based on various health metrics, revealing stark contrasts between the healthiest and unhealthiest urban areas.

With factors like obesity rates, smoking prevalence, and access to parks influencing overall well-being, these rankings provide valuable insights into how city living impacts health.

Among the top contenders for the healthiest cities, vibrant locales like San Francisco and Honolulu shine, boasting robust community health initiatives and access to recreational spaces.

Conversely, cities such as Brownsville and Gulfport struggle with higher rates of health issues, reflecting the challenges faced in promoting wellness.

Understanding these rankings can help individuals make informed decisions about where to live and how to prioritize their health.

25 Healthiest Cities in the US

Here are the top 25 healthiest cities in the United States, showcasing their overall scores along with rankings in healthcare, food, fitness, and green space.

1. San Francisco, California

  • Total score: 67.60
  • Health care rank: 76
  • Food rank: 1
  • Fitness rank: 28
  • Green space rank: 1

2. Honolulu, Hawaii

  • Total score: 64.28
  • Health care rank: 99
  • Food rank: 4
  • Fitness rank: 27
  • Green space rank: 2

3. Seattle, Washington

  • Total score: 63.68
  • Health care rank: 28
  • Food rank: 10
  • Fitness rank: 5
  • Green space rank: 11

4. San Diego, California

  • Total score: 63.08
  • Health care rank: 81
  • Food rank: 5
  • Fitness rank: 13
  • Green space rank: 6

5. Washington, D.C.

  • Total score: 63.04
  • Health care rank: 39
  • Food rank: 7
  • Fitness rank: 25
  • Green space rank: 9

6. Portland, Oregon

  • Total score: 62.65
  • Health care rank: 47
  • Food rank: 6
  • Fitness rank: 31
  • Green space rank: 8

7. Denver, Colorado

  • Total score: 61.99
  • Health care rank: 29
  • Food rank: 11
  • Fitness rank: 19
  • Green space rank: 16

8. Salt Lake City, Utah

  • Total score: 61.18
  • Health care rank: 42
  • Food rank: 18
  • Fitness rank: 17
  • Green space rank: 3

9. Scottsdale, Arizona

  • Total score: 60.32
  • Health care rank: 19
  • Food rank: 65
  • Fitness rank: 1
  • Green space rank: 13

10. Irvine, California

  • Total score: 60.29
  • Health care rank: 12
  • Food rank: 30
  • Fitness rank: 10
  • Green space rank: 17

11. Los Angeles, California

  • Total score: 59.61
  • Health care rank: 101
  • Food rank: 3
  • Fitness rank: 41
  • Green space rank: 20

12. Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Total score: 59.47
  • Health care rank: 14
  • Food rank: 32
  • Fitness rank: 42
  • Green space rank: 10

13. Austin, Texas

  • Total score: 59.43
  • Health care rank: 22
  • Food rank: 25
  • Fitness rank: 6
  • Green space rank: 23

14. Huntington Beach, California

  • Total score: 59.40
  • Health care rank: 24
  • Food rank: 33
  • Fitness rank: 2
  • Green space rank: 35

15. South Burlington, Vermont

  • Total score: 58.52
  • Health care rank: 2
  • Food rank: 17
  • Fitness rank: 83
  • Green space rank: 65

16. Boston, Massachusetts

  • Total score: 58.41
  • Health care rank: 8
  • Food rank: 12
  • Fitness rank: 48
  • Green space rank: 48

17. Madison, Wisconsin

  • Total score: 58.39
  • Health care rank: 15
  • Food rank: 39
  • Fitness rank: 8
  • Green space rank: 29

18. New York City, New York

  • Total score: 58.12
  • Health care rank: 86
  • Food rank: 2
  • Fitness rank: 117
  • Green space rank: 18

19. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Total score: 57.76
  • Health care rank: 11
  • Food rank: 20
  • Fitness rank: 43
  • Green space rank: 31

20. Glendale, California

  • Total score: 57.17
  • Health care rank: 53
  • Food rank: 40
  • Fitness rank: 15
  • Green space rank: 12

21. Atlanta, Georgia

  • Total score: 57.01
  • Health care rank: 105
  • Food rank: 19
  • Fitness rank: 4
  • Green space rank: 36

22. San Jose, California

  • Total score: 56.60
  • Health care rank: 44
  • Food rank: 13
  • Fitness rank: 75
  • Green space rank: 39

23. Orlando, Florida

  • Total score: 53.36
  • Health care rank: 61
  • Food rank: 22
  • Fitness rank: 9
  • Green space rank: 49

24. Fremont, California

  • Total score: 56.34
  • Health care rank: 40
  • Food rank: 26
  • Fitness rank: 16
  • Green space rank: 54

25. Portland, Maine

  • Total score: 55.70
  • Health care rank: 32
  • Food rank: 16
  • Fitness rank: 137
  • Green space rank: 4

25 Unhealthiest Cities in the US

Below are the 25 unhealthiest cities in the United States, based on various health metrics like access to healthcare, food quality, fitness opportunities, and green space availability.

1. Brownsville, Texas

  • Total score: 24.36
  • Health care rank: 180
  • Food rank: 182
  • Fitness rank: 182
  • Green space rank: 179

2. Gulfport, Mississippi

  • Total score: 29.13
  • Health care rank: 175
  • Food rank: 178
  • Fitness rank: 168
  • Green space rank: 180

3. Laredo, Texas

  • Total score: 29.67
  • Health care rank: 181
  • Food rank: 180
  • Fitness rank: 181
  • Green space rank: 153

4. Columbus, Georgia

  • Total score: 29.76
  • Health care rank: 182
  • Food rank: 174
  • Fitness rank: 163
  • Green space rank: 158

5. Shreveport, Louisiana

  • Total score: 30.57
  • Health care rank: 162
  • Food rank: 181
  • Fitness rank: 176
  • Green space rank: 160

6. Augusta, Georgia

  • Total score: 32.71
  • Health care rank: 156
  • Food rank: 166
  • Fitness rank: 173
  • Green space rank: 174

7. Fayetteville, North Carolina

  • Total score: 32.78
  • Health care rank: 146
  • Food rank: 177
  • Fitness rank: 166
  • Green space rank: 172

8. Corpus Christi, Texas

  • Total score: 32.81
  • Health care rank: 174
  • Food rank: 162
  • Fitness rank: 162
  • Green space rank: 166

9. Detroit, Michigan

  • Total score: 32.98
  • Health care rank: 179
  • Food rank: 118
  • Fitness rank: 180
  • Green space rank: 157

10. Huntington, West Virginia

  • Total score: 33.38
  • Health care rank: 176
  • Food rank: 146
  • Fitness rank: 172
  • Green space rank: 156

11. Fort Smith, Arkansas

  • Total score: 33.61
  • Health care rank: 154
  • Food rank: 156
  • Fitness rank: 177
  • Green space rank: 173

12. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

  • Total score: 33.84
  • Health care rank: 108
  • Food rank: 172
  • Fitness rank: 140
  • Green space rank: 182

13. Memphis, Tennessee

  • Total score: 34.11
  • Health care rank: 178
  • Food rank: 168
  • Fitness rank: 145
  • Green space rank: 148

14. Jackson, Mississippi

  • Total score: 34.46
  • Health care rank: 138
  • Food rank: 161
  • Fitness rank: 167
  • Green space rank: 169

15. Montgomery, Alabama

  • Total score: 34.63
  • Health care rank: 157
  • Food rank: 175
  • Fitness rank: 133
  • Green space rank: 181

16. North Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Total score: 35.34
  • Health care rank: 173
  • Food rank: 158
  • Fitness rank: 179
  • Green space rank: 102

17. Amarillo, Texas

  • Total score: 35.55
  • Health care rank: 164
  • Food rank: 164
  • Fitness rank: 170
  • Green space rank: 116

18. Las Cruces, New Mexico

  • Total score: 35.67
  • Health care rank: 84
  • Food rank: 179
  • Fitness rank: 174
  • Green space rank: 145

19. Toledo, Ohio

  • Total score: 36.15
  • Health care rank: 171
  • Food rank: 163
  • Fitness rank: 161
  • Green space rank: 103

20. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Total score: 36.26
  • Health care rank: 159
  • Food rank: 173
  • Fitness rank: 131
  • Green space rank: 133

21. Wichita, Kansas

  • Total score: 36.54
  • Health care rank: 141
  • Food rank: 169
  • Fitness rank: 109
  • Green space rank: 164

22. Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Total score: 36.76
  • Health care rank: 118
  • Food rank: 144
  • Fitness rank: 135
  • Green space rank: 175

23. Mobile, Alabama

  • Total score: 36.88
  • Health care rank: 158
  • Food rank: 150
  • Fitness rank: 132
  • Green space rank: 177

24. Charleston, West Virginia

  • Total score: 37.06
  • Health care rank: 144
  • Food rank: 132
  • Fitness rank: 146
  • Green space rank: 176

25. Lewiston, Maine

  • Total score: 37.52
  • Health care rank: 152
  • Food rank: 140
  • Fitness rank: 171
  • Green space rank: 110
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Alicia Richards

Nationally syndicated travel writer and direct publisher for MSN.com with bylines on AP Wire. Based in Hamden, Connecticut, delivering captivating travel insights and stories that engage a wide audience. A self-employed professional dedicated to exploring destinations and sharing experiences that inspire wanderlust and discovery. LinkedIn

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