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.”
Advertisement
Related Stories
Market Data + Trends
Vacation and Investment Home Market Insights
A recent report finds that beach homes are the most sought-after vacation-home type, and the investment potential of a second home is an important factor in homebuyers' purchasing decisions
Affordability
How Much Income Do First-Time Buyers Need to Afford the Average Home?
The median-priced home is unaffordable in 44 of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas
Affordability
What Is the Relationship Between Urban vs. Suburban Development and Affordability?
A new paper from Harvard's Joint Center looks at whether expanding the supply of suburban housing could, in turn, help make dense urban areas more affordable
