The Most Walkable US Cities Have High Costs of Living — Are They Still Worth It?
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G. Brian Davis
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In February, Redfin released its list of the ten most walkable cities in the country. Spoiler alert: most of them also rank among the most expensive.
Are any of these cities worth their high price tag? Are there other walkable cities in the country with more affordable housing costs?
Here’s what several real estate experts have to say.
Washington, D.C.
- Walk Score: 98
- Average Home Price: $602,135
The nation’s capital offers an outstanding public transportation system with a widespread network of metro lines.
Tyler Vinsand, owner of 757 Property Solutions, insists that The District is one high-cost city where the walkability is still worth it. “Washington, D.C. might be pricey, but the ability to walk to work, museums, and restaurants adds daily value you just can’t put a number on.”
He adds a reminder that budgeting is a zero-sum game: you can spend more in one area (such as housing) if you cut from another. If you sold your car and no longer paid for auto insurance, maintenance, gas, and other ownership costs, you could spend more on housing.
“Many of our clients say ditching the car offsets the higher housing costs and improves their quality of life,” he said. Given the terrible traffic, you want to avoid driving there anyway.
Boise, Idaho
- Walk Score: 89
- Average Home Price: $492,024
Boise has exploded in both population and cost in recent years but remains an intimate and walkable city at heart.
“With Boise’s growing tech industry and thriving cultural scene, it’s no wonder that Gen Zers are pouring into this hot spot in droves,” said Nathan Richardson, real estate expert and founder of Cash For Home.
“It presents a uniquely balanced blend of affordability, advancement opportunities, and a lifestyle aligned with the priorities and preferences of Gen Z. That all comes together to make Boise an irresistible destination.”
New York City
- Walk Score: 88
- Average Home Price: $763,358
No one ever made the mistake of calling New York City affordable.
Still, Noah Barger of Noble House Buyers argues that despite its steep prices, New York City is the ultimate walkable city. “New York is the blueprint for walkable living. Yes, it’s expensive — but you’re paying for more than just living space. You’re buying into a lifestyle where everything is at your fingertips, from culture and cuisine to career opportunities. People are still lining up to live that way,” he said.
You can certainly live without a car in the city, which helps shift money toward the housing bucket in your budget.
Philadelphia
- Walk Score: 75
- Average Home Price: $218,590
The City of Brotherly Love offers a rare mix of walkability and affordability — especially for a major East Coast city.
“Philly remains a walkable city with plenty of value despite rising prices,” explained Austin Glanzer, owner of 717 Home Buyers. “You can live near parks, cafes, and public transit without paying sky-high prices. That makes it a great fit for renters, homebuyers and investors alike.”
Tempe, Arizona
- Walk Score: 54
- Average Home Price: $476,202
As a dark-horse entry, Tom Troccoli of Regency Executive Suites makes the case for Tempe, Arizona. “Tempe has quietly become one of the most walkable cities in the Southwest, especially near ASU and downtown.”
Tempe doesn’t offer the metro systems that Washington or New York do, but it comes with a great bikeability score of 75. And bikers have less car traffic to contend with than those larger East Coast hubs to boot.
Couples can theoretically share one car as well to make any of these cities more affordable without completely giving up their car keys. In 2015, my wife and I moved to a walkable city and went down to one car. In 2019, we moved to an even more walkable area and stopped owning a car entirely. Today we get around by foot, bike, scooter, and Uber.
I don’t miss driving one bit.
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