The 10 Best U.S. Cities To Live in Without a Car

For many, owning a car is as American as apple pie. Vehicles offer convenience, freedom, and the possibility to get in the driver’s seat and go wherever whenever you want. And many cities in the U.S. were built for cars. 

But more and more big cities are building pedestrian-friendly infrastructure that prioritizes walkability, bike lanes, and quality public transport over congested roads and highways. 

If living car-free sounds like a dream come true, these are some of the best cities to live without a car in the U.S. — according to data from Walk Score about walkability, traffic, and bike-friendliness. And if you’re already looking on Landing for your next new home, find info from Walk Score and more on each listing page.

5 Cities Where You Don’t Need a Car

Imagine taking a morning jog through the park, getting to work, and meeting your friends for a meal without ever having to get in a car. In the most walkable cities in the U.S., that dream is a reality. 

Here’s a guide to the country’s top five carless cities:

1. New York City, NY

• Walkability score: 88
• Public transit score: 89
• Bike score: 69

If you’re thinking about moving to New York without a car, you’ll fit in right away. Nearly half of New Yorkers don’t have a driver’s license, topping the list of least car-dependent cities. Most New York City neighborhoods are self-contained. You can easily do your grocery shopping, doctor’s visits, or send the kids to school on foot or bike. 

When you feel like leaving your borough, the MTA’s extensive 24-hour public transportation system (including the New York City Subway, New York City Bus, and Staten Island Railway) makes any urban destination accessible by rapid public transit. Likewise, public transportation can efficiently get you out of the city, whether you’re crossing the bridge to Jersey City or headed to Fire Island. 

Going carless isn’t just about convenience. Saving money on car payments, insurance, and parking is a necessary measure to afford New York City’s high cost of living. 

2. Chicago, IL 

• Walkability score: 77
• Public transit score: 65
• Bike score: 72

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is one of the country’s most extensive rapid public transit systems. Two main types of public transportation serve the Chicago region, extending beyond the city into 35 suburbs across six counties. The Chicago L is made of eight rail lines that meet at the Loop, the city’s commercial and cultural center, with the CTA Bus service transporting commuters in and around the city along 129 bus routes. 

Owning a car can be tempting if you’d rather avoid walking around in Chicago’s harsh winters. But cold temperatures can cause battery problems and more wear and tear on car engines and tires, leading to higher maintenance costs. If you do need to escape the windchill, use Chicago’s Pedway, a meandering fretwork of underground tunnels in central Chicago. 

3. Washington D.C., DC

• Walkability score: 98
• Public transit score: 100
• Bike score: 92

The nation’s capital’s fleet of bus routes and rail lines is the second most used public transport system in the country. With a reputation for punctuality and cleanliness, it’s logical that Washington D.C. residents opt for rail and bus travel over getting stuck behind caravans and cabs shuttling high-level public figures to meetings. 

Washington D.C.’s gorgeous public parks, monuments, and historic architecture make it a wonderful city to get around on foot. Luckily, groceries and schools are all within walking distance of most neighborhoods. And if you don’t even want to commit to owning a bicycle, the Capital Bikeshare program lets residents enjoy the city’s extensive network of bike lanes and trails.

4. San Francisco, CA

• Walkability score: 89
• Public transit score: 77
• Bike score: 72

San Francisco is one of the most progressive U.S. cities for environmentally friendly, car-free living. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) supports a variety of commuting options that make going car-free easy, including buses, light rail lines, trolleys, and cable cars. Plus, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) connects the city center to the East Bay, Berkeley, and Oakland. And if you’re not one for public transit, car-sharing services like Zipcar and Turo are popular choices for day trips off the peninsula. 

Most San Francisco neighborhoods are mixed commercial and residential, which supports tight-knit communities where entertainment and daily necessities are all within reach. Despite its hilly geography, many San Francisco residents are avid cyclists, with the Bay Wheels bike-sharing program providing traditional bicycles and hybrid electronic bikes across the Bay Area. 

5. Boston, MA

• Walkability score: 83
• Public transit score: 72
• Bike score: 69

Boston’s nickname is the Walking City due to its small size and high density. With its narrow roads and one-way streets, Boston residents prefer to skip traffic and get around by foot, whether they’re grocery shopping or grabbing a pint. If you do need to leave your neighborhood, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority manages a rapid transit train network, bus system, commuter rail, and ferry. 

For nature enthusiasts, the 27-mile Walking City Trail connects the city’s historic love for green spaces to the urban landscape. The trail runs through parks, gardens, and residential neighborhoods, offering an urban escape to tune out or commute by bike. 

5 Other Carless Cities: Honorable Mentions

Where else can you live without a car? Every year, the list gets bigger as more U.S. cities improve their navigability. If you want to ditch your car, here are five more places poised to become walkable cities:

1. Philadelphia, PA: Despite its size, Philly has a laid-back vibe. Its green spaces make it feel like a small town — and that extends into its walkability. Self-contained neighborhoods guarantee errands and cultural experiences within footsteps of one another. And when you need to get around, trains, buses, and bike sharing get you wherever you need to be. 
2. Seattle, WA: Seattle has a unified metro card that works across all its services, including trains, buses, and ferries. With heavy rush hour traffic and expensive Downtown parking, it’s a relief that Seattleites have so many options to enjoy the Emerald City. 
3. Portland, OR: If having a car is the norm, Portland’s walkability is what helps keep it weird. Thankfully, the TriMet transit system’s five rail lines and 85 bus lines more than adequately accommodate the city’s car-free residents. Portlanders also love to bike, and plenty of local businesses offer discounts to cyclists.
4. Miami, FL: Although Miami’s residents love cruising around in their Corvettes, no rule says you have to shell out on your commute if you move there. With three dynamic public transit systems — Metrorail, Metrobus, and Metromover — you can find weeks’ worth of adventures in and around the city’s hottest neighborhoods. You can also use the Tri-Rail to access nearby hotspots like West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. 
5. Denver, CO: Denver‘s Regional Transportation District links Denver, Aurora, and Boulder with a bus and light rail system. While you may want to rent a car to take advantage of nearby wilderness, residents of Denver are known to love walking, biking, and scooting around the city (and hiring a ride-sharing service for those in between areas).

5 Benefits of Living in a Carless City

The average driver loses 51 hours in traffic annually. Even with an enthralling podcast, all that bumper-to-bumper traffic chips away at your well-being. There are plenty of good reasons to swap a car for a metro card in one of the country’s car-free cities. You can: 

1. Save money on car payments, insurance, parking, and maintenance. 
2. Enjoy more exercise by walking or biking. 
3. Reduce your carbon footprint and support more environmentally friendly public transport infrastructure. 
4. Avoid losing time in rush hour commutes or searching for parking. 
5. Experience fewer accidents, noise, and ambient pollution. 

Visit These Car-Free Cities With Landing

Satiating your wanderlust doesn’t require four wheels and regular car payment. If you’re ready to move to or visit a walkable city, Landing is here to help you find a neighborhood that checks off all your boxes — whether that’s being close to bike trails or the best food and drink. Plus, Landing’s fully furnished apartments have plenty of closet space for your walking shoes and a safe spot to keep your bike. Become a Landing member today.