America's Top 20 Healthiest Cities

How fit is the city you travel to or live in? The American Fitness Index conducts an annual report showing the best large cities for fit and active lifestyles. See which cities made the top 20.

February 26, 2021

By: Felicia Feaster

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No. 20: Baltimore

Baltimore ranks well for its high number of park playgrounds, recreation centers and swimming pools. Another draw is Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, which sees 13 million visitors a year. Among its attractions is Baltimore Beach, a stretch of sand that’s home to seven volleyball courts.

No. 19: Tampa

A large number of public parks, swimming pools and dog parks combined with beautiful weather and an emphasis on healthy eating make Tampa a city that places a premium on healthy living. A climate where you have to perpetually be bathing suit-ready probably doesn't hurt.

No. 18: New York, NY

A plenitude of parks, public transportation and walking and biking mean New Yorkers keep things moving to stay fit.

No. 17: Atlanta

What makes Atlanta a healty city? For one, the number of its residents living within a 10 minute walk to a park. Combine lots of walking and great weather and you have a recipe for making activity a part of your daily routine.

No. 16: Los Angeles

Didn’t get an invite to the Oscars? You can still hang out in the City of Angels and take a tour to see the sites including Disneyland, Universal Studios and the Hollywood Bowl. And don’t forget to take a stroll along the Santa Monica Pier. Gorgeous weather, the presence of the fitness-obsessed entertainment industry, and a large number of recreation centers per capita, as well as a low number of smokers, the obese and those with asthma, all contribute to LA's No. 16 status.

No. 15: Chicago

Chicago is a foodie city with a high concentration of farmers' markets where both chefs and ordinary folk can make shopping for top-quality, healthy, farm-to-table food part of their day.

No. 14: Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh gets high marks for setting aside a high percentage of city land as parkland; 17% of municipal land is devoted to parks compared with the national average of 10.6%. Cycling, boating, camping and hiking are all easy day excursions, with Umstead State Park and the American Tobacco Trail nearby. Plus, get in outdoor art at the North Carolina Museum of Art, where you’ll find this monumental sculpture.

No. 13: Hartford, Connecticut

The capital city has more than 50 public parks and squares that cover more than 27,000 acres. More than a million people annually picnic, jog, attend rallies and socialize at Hartford's restored Bushnell Park (pictured). As the oldest publicly-funded park in the US, Hartford’s historic "Central Park" has added new landscaping, benches and a play area in recent years.

No. 12: Austin, Texas

The Texas capital can also get very hot, which may explain why it has so many public swimming areas, with affordable entry fees, too. The average price for a day pass to one of the city’s public pools is only $3 for adults and $1 for children. Barton Springs Pool is one place to cool down; find the recreational pool in Austin’s Zilker Park.

No. 11: Sacramento, California

In the Sacramento area, go kayaking on Lake Natoma, within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Another big attraction is the city’s park system; in 2013, Sacramento tied with San Francisco and Boston for having the third-best park system among the 50 most populous US cities.

No. 10: San Diego

Along with its great weather, "America’s Finest City" is known for its physically fit residents, who go surfing in San Diego at places like South Carlsbad State Beach. For quiet time, locals and visitors alike can enjoy the meditation gardens on the grounds of San Diego’s Self-Realization Fellowship Temple, founded by an Indian spiritual leader in the 1930s.

No. 9: Salt Lake City

It's no surprise to us that Salt Lake City made this list. Utah’s capital city is a short drive from renowned ski resorts like Alta, as well as scenic recreation areas like Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

No. 8: Portland, Oregon

With more than 10,000 acres of public parks, including 300 miles of greenways and bike boulevards, Portland is a great city for anyone seeking outdoor urban adventure. Enjoy a bike ride along the Willamette River, or start exploring the great outdoors on foot with a trip into Forest Park, one of the largest protected wilderness areas inside any US city.

No. 7: Denver

Outdoors lovers especially love the Mile High City. The big outdoor attraction is the Front Range Trail. Just 30 minutes outside the city, the 876-mile trail stretches from Wyoming into New Mexico, has trails ideal for hiking, running, rock climbing and mountain biking. And just 20 miles west of Denver, check out Genesee Park; you may spot American bison.

No. 6: Boston

Beantown is a walker’s city. Lace up for a walk along Boston Harbor. Plus, enjoy a 2.5-mile walk along the Freedom Trail, which leads to 16 historic sites in downtown. The city is also the birthplace of a free fitness movement that started in 2011 (and has since spread to other major cities), with a membership of professional athletes and fitness rookies alike.

No. 5: San Jose, California

Often called the "Capital of Silicon Valley," San Jose is California’s third-largest city, and also has some great outdoor attractions. Alum Rock Park, nestled in the eastern foothills of Silicon Valley, is a great place for picnics, hiking, biking and exploring. The park also boasts great scenic trails and 1800s-era natural spring baths.

No. 4: Seattle

Beach volleyball, anyone? In Seattle locals head to Alki Beach Park, a nearly 136-acre park with a half-mile of beachfront. Another favorite for the physically fit is Discovery Park, a 534-acre park on the shores of Puget Sound that includes more than 11 miles of walking and biking trails. The park, the largest in Seattle, is also a great place to view wildlife.

No. 3: San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay Area is known for its fresh, healthy food, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and sustainable agriculture. Dig into organic delights at local restaurants like The Plant, where organic salads and meats grace the menu. And whip up your own menu with items from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, which sells more than 1,500 varieties of local produce.

No. 2: Washington, DC

Washington, DC, promotes a healthy lifestyle through its Capital Bikeshare program, with 2,500 bicycles located throughout the city. Another big draw is Eastern Market, a city fixture for more than 135 years, selling local farm-fresh produce. And if you want to get in cardio, a jog around the National Mall is a great option; you’ll cover 5 miles.

No. 1: Minneapolis-St. Paul

Once again, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area ranks as the No. 1 healthiest American city. Minneapolis was one of the first cities nationwide to add bike trails; it also sets aside a high percentage of the city as parkland. Another healthy draw is the Minneapolis Farmers' Market. Established in 1937, the market supports some 230 local vendors.

America's Top 20 Healthiest Cities

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No. 20: Baltimore

No. 19: Tampa

No. 18: New York, NY

No. 17: Atlanta

No. 16: Los Angeles

No. 15: Chicago

No. 14: Raleigh, North Carolina

No. 13: Hartford, Connecticut

No. 12: Austin, Texas

No. 11: Sacramento, California

No. 10: San Diego

No. 9: Salt Lake City

No. 8: Portland, Oregon

No. 7: Denver

No. 6: Boston

No. 5: San Jose, California

No. 4: Seattle

No. 3: San Francisco

No. 2: Washington, DC

No. 1: Minneapolis-St. Paul

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