These cities are the best for active lifestyle, according to study, #1-3 St. Louis, San Francisco, Cincinnati

April 22, 2025

These cities are the best for active lifestyle, according to study, #1-3 St. Louis, San Francisco, Cincinnati

Study reveals the best cities for an active lifestyle

St. Louis takes the top spot, offering residents the best opportunities for an active lifestyle
San Francisco and Cincinnati follow closely in second and third place, respectively, providing numerous options to stay active
On the flip side, Fort Wayne ranks as the least favorable city in the U.S. for an active lifestyle, falling short in all categories

A new study ranks the best cities for healthy living in the United States, with St. Louis claiming the top spot.

Many Americans strive for a healthier lifestyle through exercise and weight loss. It’s a goal countless of us have pursued personally. While maintaining a fitness routine can be challenging anywhere, living in a city that supports an active lifestyle can make a significant difference.

Of course, living in one of these cities won’t automatically turn you into a fitness fanatic. Dedication is essential. However, being surrounded by like-minded people and having easy access to gyms and outdoor spaces can definitely give you a boost.

The research team at Manhattan Mental Health Counseling, a psychotherapy center providing mental health services online and in person, compared the 99 largest U.S. cities based on 20 key indicators of an active lifestyle. These factors were grouped into five main categories: budget, participation, sports, outdoor activities, and environmental conditions.

1. St. Louis, Missouri (Score: 86.36)

St. Louis, Missouri, has claimed the top spot as the best city for an active lifestyle. The city’s impressive ranking is largely attributed to its strong performance in participation.

Searches for “at-home workouts” and “at-home sports equipment” skyrocketed, placing St. Louis at the number one spot nationally. Moreover, with around 16 sports stores per 100,000 residents, the city offers a plethora of retail options for athletic gear and apparel.

Sports enthusiasts will find their haven in St. Louis, with over 80 highly-rated clubs and nearly 30 tennis courts. The city’s thriving fitness scene boasts more than 3,400 trainers ready to help you reach your wellness goals.

2. San Francisco, California (Score: 85.39)

San Francisco, California, ranks second. The city’s exceptional performance in the outdoor category, where it ranked number one, is the primary factor driving its high ranking.

With a bike score of 72, San Francisco offers approximately 40 bike trails and an impressive 88 bike rental stations. The city’s robust bike-sharing program, featuring over 9,000 bikes, further cements its reputation as a bike-friendly destination.

While scoring average or above in most categories, the city’s high cost of living is underscored by its subscription services. A steep $106 monthly gym membership and a $26 hourly weekend tennis court rental exemplify the affordability challenges faced by residents.

3. Cincinnati, Ohio (Score: 83.60)

Cincinnati, Ohio, secures the third spot on the list. While ranking sixth in active participation, the city’s strong performance in the budget category, coming in at twelfth, significantly contributes to its overall score.

Cincinnati offers an affordable path to an active lifestyle, with average monthly gym memberships of around $28 and hourly weekend tennis court rentals for just $12—a noticeable value compared to other cities.

While the city’s air quality of 45 AQI is decent, the average temperature of 55.4°F might deter those who prefer outdoor exercise.

4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Score: 81.02)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, comes in at number four on the list of best cities for an active lifestyle. The city’s strong showing is primarily due to its top ranking in participation, evidenced by high search numbers for home workouts and equipment.

Pittsburgh also shines in the sports category, offering a variety of sports clubs to cater to different fitness preferences.

While the city enjoys excellent air quality with an AQI of 29, its colder climate, with an average temperature of 52.3°F, might not be ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

5. Scottsdale, Arizona (Score: 80.30)

Scottsdale, Arizona, rounds out the top five. With over 60 sports clubs boasting three-star ratings or higher for sports like soccer, basketball, and golf, the city secures an eighth-place ranking in sports facilities.

Scottsdale also boasts an impressive number of swimming pools, with approximately 40 per 100,000 residents, catering to water enthusiasts.

A Bike Score of 56 makes Scottsdale a cyclist’s paradise. The city’s 66 rental stations, offering 4,300 bikes, make exploring by bicycle a breeze

6. Seattle, Washington (Score: 78.95)

Seattle, Washington, comes in at number six. The city shines in both the outdoor and sports categories. With 73 hiking trails and a massive 6,400 acres of parkland, Seattle offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, walking, or running.

For those looking to combine a workout with playtime, the city boasts around 200 playgrounds equipped with exercise amenities or child-friendly features.

7. Miami, Florida (Score: 77.78)

Miami follows in 7th place, with 17 sports stores per 100,000 residents. The city also sees a high volume of searches for “at home sports equipment” and “home workouts,” ranking third nationally with nearly 50K searches per 100K residents.

Beyond home workouts, Miami offers abundant outdoor activities, ranking 18th in this category with numerous playgrounds, hiking trails, and bike-sharing programs.

8. Newark, New Jersey (Score: 74.39)

Newark, New Jersey is next in eighth place, a city where staying active is both easy and encouraged. It ranks 2nd in the nation for its extensive sports options, including the highest number of fitness trainers, 23 tennis courts, and a variety of swimming pools, baseball diamonds, and sports clubs. This impressive range of facilities gives Newark residents many ways to stay fit and active.

9. Arlington, Texas (Score: 73.41)

With an index score of 73.41, Arlington takes the 9th spot on the list of best cities for an active lifestyle. The city ranks 6th for outdoor activities, offering numerous options like 122 hiking trails. Additionally, it ranks 16th for affordable activity costs, with weekend tennis court fees at $15 per hour and an average monthly gym membership at $25.

Arlington’s mix of diverse outdoor activities and budget-friendly options makes it a top choice for staying active, without breaking the bank.

10. Atlanta, Georgia (Score: 72.67)

Atlanta secures a spot in the top 10 thanks to its residents’ dedication to staying active, even at home. It ranks 5th in participation, with a high volume of Google searches for home workout equipment and exercises.

Additionally, it ranks 8th for good air quality and favorable weather, making it a great place to stay fit year-round.

Natalie Buchwald, a spokesperson from Manhattan Mental Health Counseling, commented on the findings:

“It can be difficult to get motivated to stay fit, especially when people are busy with work, but living in a city that promotes physical activity can make things a lot easier.

The best cities are easy to navigate by walking or biking, have a lot of athletic fields open to the public, and are in close proximity to natural hiking trails and swimming areas.”

Here is the full list of the best US cities for an active lifestyle and their respective rank in each category:

Rank	City	State	Budget	Participation	Sports	Outdoor activities	Environmental Conditions	Index Score
1	St. Louis	Missouri	37	2	18	26	47	86.36
2	San Francisco	California	93	20	5	1	40	85.39
3	Cincinnati	Ohio	12	6	15	41	61	83.60
4	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania	76	1	12	29	92	81.02
5	Scottsdale	Arizona	47	29	8	14	19	80.30
6	Seattle	Washington	86	8	17	7	35	78.95
7	Miami	Florida	84	3	26	18	20	77.78
8	Newark	New Jersey	13	70	2	28	56	74.39
9	Arlington	Texas	16	22	28	6	45	73.41
10	Atlanta	Georgia	88	5	30	34	8	72.67
11	Tampa	Florida	40	4	60	38	11	69.98
12	Portland	Oregon	87	18	20	11	21	68.46
13	Boston	Massachusetts	92	14	21	4	57	67.71
14	Minneapolis	Minnesota	69	7	48	5	96	67.38
15	St. Paul	Minnesota	20	13	32	20	97	66.73
16	New York City	New York	98	28	10	2	7	65.96
17	Oakland	California	34	76	11	12	66	65.57
18	Anaheim	California	97	80	1	40	63	64.73
19	Irvine	California	77	44	3	36	83	64.59
20	Los Angeles	California	66	36	14	17	58	64.26
21	Orlando	Florida	22	10	58	32	44	63.97
22	Jersey City	New Jersey	94	63	4	10	55	63.64
23	Nashville	Tennessee	67	27	22	22	25	63.44
24	Chicago	Illinois	53	75	13	8	54	62.73
25	Las Vegas	Nevada	18	9	52	66	15	61.95
26	Long Beach	California	46	93	7	23	84	61.58
27	Santa Ana	California	7	98	6	44	85	60.12
28	Denver	Colorado	90	19	24	15	79	59.94
29	Austin	Texas	59	39	61	47	1	57.52
30	Aurora	Colorado	25	52	25	24	78	56.55
31	Riverside	California	39	15	35	65	60	55.94
32	Washington	District of Columbia	99	21	16	3	69	55.01
33	Glendale	Arizona	38	82	9	71	18	54.96
34	Buffalo	New York	89	11	34	45	89	53.93
35	Richmond	Virginia	58	17	23	74	72	53.90
36	Honolulu	Hawaii	75	35	29	33	28	53.19
37	Plano	Texas	44	45	31	48	52	51.41
38	Cleveland	Ohio	1	16	81	49	87	51.27
39	Houston	Texas	43	58	53	37	5	50.74
40	Kansas City	Missouri	78	12	44	79	23	49.28
41	Raleigh	North Carolina	65	23	37	75	13	49.05
42	Phoenix	Arizona	31	24	67	55	16	48.89
43	San Jose	California	95	42	19	25	62	48.30
44	Louisville	Kentucky	23	43	38	59	26	48.13
45	Sacramento	California	81	47	27	31	70	47.78
46	Milwaukee	Wisconsin	64	30	41	42	88	46.65
47	Frisco	Texas	45	48	64	19	51	46.40
48	Boise	Idaho	82	31	68	13	75	46.00
49	Durham	North Carolina	21	49	47	62	12	45.96
50	Reno	Nevada	35	40	39	60	64	45.31
51	Dallas	Texas	56	50	55	30	30	44.69
52	St. Petersburg	Florida	3	51	54	58	53	43.93
53	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	74	83	77	9	6	43.73
54	Chandler	Arizona	32	53	42	61	50	43.37
55	Chula Vista	California	15	79	33	69	73	42.11
56	Lexington	Kentucky	48	54	46	57	46	41.84
57	Irving	Texas	28	81	43	52	43	41.58
58	Madison	Wisconsin	68	32	82	16	93	41.36
59	Indianapolis	Indiana	52	25	50	82	77	40.72
60	San Diego	California	91	46	36	39	71	40.27
61	Gilbert	Arizona	19	57	45	81	36	39.39
62	Greensboro	North Carolina	41	56	49	78	29	39.06
63	Baltimore	Maryland	85	26	89	21	86	38.50
64	New Orleans	Louisiana	83	33	78	43	10	38.23
65	Albuquerque	New Mexico	4	69	84	35	80	37.65
66	Mesa	Arizona	8	95	59	53	42	36.47
67	Tucson	Arizona	50	37	86	54	38	36.07
68	Columbus	Ohio	61	65	40	63	74	35.58
69	Garland	Texas	2	89	73	56	48	35.27
70	Charlotte	North Carolina	26	62	71	70	33	35.05
71	Omaha	Nebraska	73	34	63	50	94	33.93
72	Stockton	California	49	92	51	72	67	31.41
73	Cape Coral	Florida	24	86	69	68	59	31.04
74	Corpus Christi	Texas	36	73	99	86	4	31.03
75	Detroit	Michigan	71	41	87	46	90	30.90
76	Fresno	California	27	66	74	77	65	30.49
77	San Antonio	Texas	63	96	75	85	3	29.84
78	North Las Vegas	Nevada	29	97	62	84	17	29.78
79	Henderson	Nevada	54	71	66	83	22	29.49
80	Laredo	Texas	9	99	94	95	2	28.74
81	Chesapeake	Virginia	11	88	57	94	39	28.69
82	Tulsa	Oklahoma	55	68	76	76	31	28.54
83	El Paso	Texas	14	87	95	64	34	28.03
84	Jacksonville	Florida	10	55	93	91	24	27.89
85	Virginia Beach	Virginia	72	59	72	73	41	27.66
86	Fort Worth	Texas	30	90	85	87	32	25.57
87	Toledo	Ohio	42	91	70	80	76	25.13
88	Memphis	Tennessee	33	84	79	98	9	24.59
89	Winston-Salem	North Carolina	5	77	90	97	27	24.11
90	Bakersfield	California	17	85	83	92	49	23.97
91	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma	51	78	91	90	14	22.27
92	Lubbock	Texas	6	61	80	96	98	22.16
93	Colorado Springs	Colorado	80	60	88	67	91	21.80
94	Arlington	Virginia	79	72	56	93	68	20.98
95	Lincoln	Nebraska	70	67	98	51	95	20.03
96	Anchorage	Alaska	96	38	96	27	99	17.35
97	Port St. Lucie	Florida	57	94	65	99	37	16.71
98	Wichita	Kansas	60	64	97	88	82	16.25
99	Fort Wayne	Indiana	62	74	92	89	81	15.96

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Methodology

This study identified 20 different factors to indicate the best US cities for an active lifestyle. Each of these factors fell into one of five umbrellas: budget, participation, sports, outdoor activities, and environmental conditions. The data for each factor was collected for 99 major cities and then represented in a score scale from 0 to 100, where 100 was given to the best-performing cities. There aren’t more cities in the list because data for each factor was not available for all potential cities.

These scores were then weighted for each factor, depending on their impact, and finally put together to achieve a final score and ranking.

Here are the factors, along with their respective weights:

Budget (15%)

Average Cost of Tennis-Court Rent
Average Monthly Fitness-Club Fee

Participation (20%)

Sport Stores
Google Search Interest for “At Home Sports Equipment”
Google Search Interest for “At Home Workouts”

Sports (30%)

Number of Baseball & Softball Diamonds (rated +3)
Number of Sport Clubs (rated 3+)
Number of Swimming Pools (rated 3+)
Number of Tennis Courts (rated 3+)
Number of Fitness Trainers

Outdoor activities (30%)

Bike Score
Walk Score
Bike-Rental Facilities
Hiking Trails
Parkland Acres
Playgrounds
Presence of Bike-Sharing Programs

Environmental conditions (5%)

Air Quality
Weather

Sources

U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Trust of Public Land (TPL)

Numbeo

Yelp

Walksoce

Airnow

Google Maps

Google Trends

Trainlink

Playground Equipment

Bike Sharing World Map

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