Quick answer
The top 3 carless living cities in 2026 are 1) New York, 2) San Francisco, 3) Boston. Walk 88/100, Transit 89/100 — daily errands and commute on foot or transit.
Ranking · 2026
Best Cities to Live Without a Car (2026)
The handful of US cities where carless living is genuinely practical — not just "you could if you wanted to," but actually comfortable on a daily basis. Ranked by combined walk + transit scores.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
The Top 8
- 1
New York, NY
Walk 88/100 · Transit 89/100
Walk 88/100, Transit 89/100 — daily errands and commute on foot or transit.
- 2
San Francisco, CA
Walk 88/100 · Transit 80/100
Walk 88/100, Transit 80/100 — daily errands and commute on foot or transit.
- 3
Boston, MA
Walk 83/100 · Transit 75/100
Walk 83/100, Transit 75/100 — daily errands and commute on foot or transit.
- 4
Philadelphia, PA
Walk 79/100 · Transit 67/100
Walk 79/100, Transit 67/100 — daily errands and commute on foot or transit.
- 5
Chicago, IL
Walk 78/100 · Transit 65/100
Walk 78/100, Transit 65/100 — daily errands and commute on foot or transit.
- 6
Miami, FL
Walk 77/100 · Transit 57/100
Walk 77/100, Transit 57/100 — daily errands and commute on foot or transit.
- 7
Seattle, WA
Walk 74/100 · Transit 59/100
Walk 74/100, Transit 59/100 — daily errands and commute on foot or transit.
- 8
Baltimore, MD
Walk 68/100 · Transit 59/100
Walk 68/100, Transit 59/100 — daily errands and commute on foot or transit.
Methodology
Ranked by combined Walk Score + Transit Score, with a minimum cutoff of Transit Score 50+ to exclude cities that are walkable only in their downtown cores. Cities on this list support daily errands, commuting, and weekend activities without a personal car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really live without a car in the US?
Realistically only in 6-8 cities: New York, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago, and parts of Seattle and Portland. In most of America, essential services are too spread out. Even in walkable neighborhoods of other cities (Austin's East Side, Denver's LoDo), you still need a car for grocery runs, airport trips, and weekend plans.
How much do I save by not owning a car?
AAA estimates all-in car costs (payment, insurance, gas, maintenance, depreciation, parking) at $9,000-$12,000/year for a typical sedan. If you commute to an expensive parking district, add another $2,000-$3,000/year. Annual savings from going carless: $10,000-$15,000.
What is the best walkable + transit city in America?
New York City — 89/100 Walk Score and 88/100 Transit Score. The subway covers all five boroughs, Penn Station and Grand Central connect to the entire northeast, and Manhattan density means groceries, restaurants, doctors, and gyms are all a short walk away.
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