Scoring Cities by Sustainability

A new study scores U.S. cities by sustainability metrics including access to public transit and parks, walkability, and bikeability. Only three of the top cities have home prices below the national median.

Out of the 50 most populous U.S. cities studied, San Francisco ranked highest with a score of 79.2 out of 100, topping second-ranked New York's score of 79.0. Charlotte, N.C., Arlington and Fort Worth, Texas scored lowest, the only cities with scores below 30 in Redfin's ranking.

“It’s not a coincidence that the most sustainable cities are also the ones with the most expensive homes,” said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. “Many people are willing to pay a premium for the ability to live a green lifestyle that involves walking and biking and avoids driving. But there are a few places where it’s still affordable to live a sustainable lifestyle. Philadelphia for example, has plenty of affordable housing near its city center with walkable access to shops, parks and jobs.”

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