Your well-being isn’t based solely on how you live — it also depends on where you live. To find out which American cities are the healthiest, we turned to a 2025 WalletHub report that analyzed 182 major U.S. cities across four key parameters for healthy living: health care, food, fitness, and green space, encompassing dozens of factors under each of the four pillars. The results reveal the top 10 healthiest cities in America for 2025 — places where wellness isn’t a chore but a way of life.
10. Huntington Beach, California
Score: 60.51 (out of 100)
Located about 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles, Huntington Beach is the 10th-healthiest city in America, according to the WalletHub report. Nicknamed “Surf City, USA,” Huntington Beach is known for its scenic coastal views — best seen from its 1,850-foot pier — and sprawling beaches where surf history has been made. Its residents and visitors stay in tip-top physical shape by soaking up the sun while paddleboarding, playing beach volleyball, or biking through the 365-acre Huntington Beach Central Park. Residents also benefit from easy health care access within Orange County, making it an appealing location for retirees or those with special health care needs.
9. Washington, D.C.
Score: 61.08
The nation’s capital is the only East Coast city in the top 10 list of healthiest U.S. cities. D.C. isn’t just rich in history — with a range of healthy cuisine, access to fresh produce, and ample public parks, it ranks highly in the food and green space categories in the report.
Washington, D.C., is committed to providing its residents and visitors with abundant opportunities to enjoy nature within city limits, with over 7,000 acres of public and national parklands. D.C. also tops the Trust for Public Land’s 2025 ParkScore index, investing more per resident in public parks than any other U.S. city, and it’s home to over 50 farmers markets, bringing affordable, healthy produce, dairy, meat, and other food products to its residents.
8. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Score: 61.17
Along with plenty of Midwestern charm, Minneapolis boasts one of the healthiest populations in the country. Over 99% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The city also has an extensive network of protected bike lanes and trails, including the Midtown Greenway, a 5.5-mile former railroad corridor that has been converted into a popular recreational route. For those who prefer to exercise on the water, the Chain of Lakes Park and the Mississippi Riverfront provide serene spots for kayaking, paddleboarding, and nature walks.
7. Denver, Colorado
Score: 61.18
The Mile High City fosters a culture of wellness and adventure, making it easy for residents to lead healthy, active lives. Denver boasts some of the lowest rates of high blood pressure and obesity in the nation, thanks in part to the abundant local produce and farmers markets, health-focused restaurants, and lively city parks. With over 300 days of sunshine annually, residents often stay active by taking advantage of the outdoors, whether they’re hiking in the nearby Rocky Mountains or enjoying the miles of paved cycling paths.
6. Portland, Oregon
Score: 62.26
In 2024, LawnStarter named Portland the best city in the U.S. to purchase local food. Residents can enjoy browsing local and organic food options at over 40 markets in and around the city, the largest of which occurs on Saturdays at Portland State University. Portland also boasts many unique public parks in which to stay active. Whether walking through the rose garden in Washington Park or playing tennis on an extinct volcano at Mount Tabor Park, you’ll find that physical activity is a top priority in Portland.
5. San Diego, California
Score: 62.62
Sunny San Diego has a Mediterranean climate year-round, making it ideal for enjoying outdoor activities and local produce. From morning golf sessions at Torrey Pines to walking Fido at one of the city’s many dog-friendly beaches, there are plenty of fun ways to stay active here. Balboa Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, boasts miles of hiking trails and bike paths. And thanks to top health care systems like UC San Diego Health and Scripps Health, residents have access to excellent medical care, too.
4. Salt Lake City, Utah
Score: 62.82
Utah’s capital is home to four world-class ski resorts within a 35-mile radius, along with summer activities such as hiking, biking, golfing, and kayaking. It’s no surprise, then, that Salt Lake City ranks highly in both fitness and green space in the 2025 report on America’s healthiest cities. Not only are residents active, but they also have low smoking and alcohol usage and a strong health care network, including the University of Utah Hospital System.
3. Seattle, Washington
Score: 63.00
Nestled on the Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle strikes an ideal balance between urban living and natural beauty. Residents have easy access to evergreen forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. They also benefit from Seattle’s strict environmental protections, including its clean air and water policies, as well as citywide composting and recycling initiatives. This balance between urban convenience and sustainability fosters a healthy environment for residents and visitors alike.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
Score: 63.34
Honolulu’s residents have fun staying physically active by surfing, swimming, and snorkeling in the tropical waters around Hawaii. Waterfall and volcano hikes, as well as team sports like canoeing, are especially popular here. Several surrounding communities in Honolulu are also part of the Blue Zones Project, which studies and supports communities with exceptional longevity and health. The Blue Zone principles include incorporating natural movement into everyday life, fostering strong social connections, and promoting plant-forward diets.
1. San Francisco, California
Score: 68.05
Topping the list as the healthiest city in the U.S. is San Francisco. From morning runs through Golden Gate Park to locally-sourced meals in the Mission District, wellness is integrated into everyday life here. Thanks to San Francisco’s proximity to California’s Central Valley, organic, sustainable, farm-to-table food is prevalent throughout the city. San Francisco also champions sustainable public transportation, which includes its iconic cable cars, further encouraging a car-free and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Featured Stories
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
