America is a nation of diverse landscapes and lifestyles, but when it comes to health, the disparities from city to city are striking.
Your proximity to parks, access to healthy restaurants, and even the number of hospital beds can significantly impact your well-being.
WalletHub conducted a comprehensive study, examining 182 cities across the U.S., using data related to healthcare, food, fitness, parks, and workout areas to determine which cities are leading the way in health and which are facing significant challenges.
Understanding these rankings is not just a matter of curiosity; it’s crucial for personal health decisions, urban planning, and community development.
Based on WalletHub’s analysis, here are some of the healthiest cities in America, each excelling in various aspects of health and wellness:
1. San Francisco, California: The Golden Standard for Health
- Total score: 67.60
- Health care rank: 76
- Food rank: 1
- Fitness rank: 28
- Green space rank: 1
- San Francisco stands out with its exceptional access to organic food, numerous public parks, and extensive bike lanes. In 2010, the city installed over 20 miles of bike lanes and bike parking areas, promoting healthy biking exercise.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii: An Island of Health
- Total score: 64.28
- Health care rank: 99
- Food rank: 4
- Fitness rank: 27
- Green space rank: 2
- Honolulu benefits from its natural environment, encouraging outdoor activities and a healthy lifestyle.
3. Seattle, Washington: Emerald City, Emerald Health
- Total score: 63.68
- Health care rank: 28
- Food rank: 10
- Fitness rank: 5
- Green space rank: 11
- Seattle boasts high rankings in fitness and green space, making it an ideal city for active individuals.
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
Alicia Richards