Location matters when it comes to health. Some places promote wellness by expanding access to nutritious food and recreational facilities. Others strive to keep treatment costs affordable for everyone or protect green space that encourages an active and healthy lifestyle.
Absent such essentials, good health can be difficult to maintain, what with the rising cost of care in the U.S. and uneven standards for health education in public schools. Add to those factors the myriad health advice cluttering the web and the “groundbreaking” diet programs promising quick and easy results.
To determine which areas prioritize residents’ well-being, WalletHub’s data team compared 150 of the most populated U.S. cities across 34 key indicators of good health. Our data set ranges from “cost of doctor visit” to “fruit and vegetable consumption” to “fitness clubs per capita.” Read on for our findings, sound health advice from trustworthy experts and a full description of our methodology.
Main Findings
Ask the Experts
With health-care reform in the offing, we asked a panel of experts to weigh in on the possible effects of the new presidential administration’s policies as well as to provide advice on building good personal health. Click on the experts’ profiles below to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:
What impact would repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — dubbed “Obamacare” — have on the health of U.S. cities, particularly those with a high low-income population?
What effect might repealing the Medicaid expansion under the ACA have on state and municipal budgets?
What are the most important factors to consider in choosing a city that is good for your health?
Since health and wealth are both long-term investments, what are some effective strategies for convincing people to invest more in their health today?
What tips do you have for a person looking to embrace a healthier lifestyle while on a budget?
What measures can local authorities undertake in order to improve local health-care systems?
Methodology
In order to identify the overall healthiest cities in the U.S., WalletHub’s analysts compared 150 of the most populated cities across four key dimensions: 1) Health Care, 2) Food, 3) Fitness and 4) Green Space. Our sample considers only the city proper in each case and excludes cities in the surrounding metro area.
We evaluated the four dimensions using 34 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for a healthy lifestyle. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the state level only and therefore half-weighted.
We then calculated overall scores for each city using its weighted average across all metrics and ranked the cities based on the resulting scores.
Health Care – Total Points: 25
Premature-Death Rate: Triple Weight (~5.36 Points)
Note: “Premature Death” refers to years of potential life lost.
Mental Health: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults reporting 14 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past month.
Mental-Health Counselors per Capita: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Physical Health: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults reporting 14 or more physically unhealthy days in the past month.
Family Doctors per Capita: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Dentists per Capita: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Cost of Medical Visit: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Cost of Dental Visit: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Quality of Public Hospital System: Full* Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric is based on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ ranking of public hospital systems.
Hospital Beds per Capita: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Adult Health-Insurance Coverage: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults aged 18 to 64 with health insurance coverage.
Youth Health-Insurance Coverage: Full Weight (~1.79 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of youths aged 17 and younger with health insurance coverage.
Food – Total Points: 25
Fruit & Vegetable Consumption: Double Weight (~6.26 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults consuming fewer than one serving of fruits or vegetables per day.
Farmer’s Markets per Capita: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Gourmet Specialty-Food Stores per Capita: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Healthy Restaurants per Capita: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Note: “Healthy Restaurants” refers to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free establishments.
Dietitians & Nutritionists per Capita: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Share of Obese Residents: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Limited Access to Healthy Foods: Full Weight (~3.13 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of the population who earn a low income and do not live within a reasonable distance to a grocery store.
Fitness – Total Points: 25
Share of Residents Who Engage in Any Physical Activity: Double Weight (~8.33 Points)
Fitness Clubs per Capita: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
Average Cost of Fitness-Club Membership: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
Recreational Leagues per Capita: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
Weight-Loss Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
Green Space – Total Points: 25
Parkland Acres per Capita: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Quality of Parks: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric measures “parks spending per capita,” as a proxy for “parks quality.”
Hiking Trails per Capita: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Running Trails per Capita: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Walking Trails per Capita: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Walk Score: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Bike Score: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Physical-Activity Access: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric measures the percentage of the population with adequate access to locations for engaging in physical activity.
City “Greenness”: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s Greenest Cities in America ranking.
Recreation Access: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s Best & Worst Cities for Recreation ranking.
For more info on methodology, click here.
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Council for Community and Economic Research, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, County Health Rankings, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Yelp, Numbeo, IMLeagues, The Trust for Public Land, MapMyFitness, Walk Score and WalletHub research.
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Sorry to butt in, but when I lived there I didn’t feel healthy AT ALL. Actually, it was the SCV where I started getting really sick and was eventually diagnosed with allergies so bad it made it hard to function. I never had them before living there!
Letty Zendejas and i were just talking about doing a fitness challenge last night. My hubby does pest control at Afterburn, so I was going to check that out. But I’m down to try! We also wanted to try F45.
What a load of crap. Exactly how does WallyThub qualify as an expert on “health” when it comes to cities? Who the heck are they anyway?
Oh, here they are:
WalletHub: Free Credit Scores, Reports & Credit Improvement
WalletHub is the only destination for free credit scores & reports updated daily. We also offer all the tools & insights needed to reach top WalletFitness.
That is from their website. So, don’t get so excited SClaritans. Somebody paid for this, even if it’s just through advertising.
And don’t mention it to those stuck in traffic breathing the exhausts, or more importantly to anyone who lives in Val Verde.
How “healthy” can it be with our bad air quality? The air we are breathing should be one of their factors instead of how many farmers markets there are.
Santa Clarita is a really nice place to live. Fantastic parks and recreation. Amazing cycling everywhere! Hiking, river trails, aquatic center. Truly a great place to live.
The Santa Clarita Valley League of Women Voters, partnering with College of the Canyons Center for Civic Engagement and its Engage the Vote Student Action Team, is sponsoring a virtual, “Conversation with Mayor Bill Miranda,” on Monday, April 19, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The Santa Clarita City Council on Tuesday night approved one-time funding of $100,000 for the relocation of Bridge to Home shelter services for people experiencing homelessness, and an additional loan not to exceed $110,000.
The city of Santa Clarita welcomes residents to dispose of their unwanted household hazardous and electronic waste at the FREE Household Hazardous/E-Waste Roundup on Saturday, April 17, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office has reported 10 productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley aka "Hollywood North" the week of Monday, April 12-18, 2021
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board has approved the recommendation to name Donna Manfredi as the principal of Golden Oak Adult School.
The Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors announced the leadership team of the newly formed Probation Oversight Commission who will be tasked to lead efforts to monitor the Probation Department’s progress on systemic reform.
The Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at College of the Canyons will host a virtual Open House on Wednesday, April 28 to help those interested in advancing their careers by earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
SCV Water has received a nearly $250,000 California Special Districts Association Public Safety Power Shutoff program allocation from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
The Los Angeles County Arts Education Collective, coordinated by the Department of Arts and Culture, and KCET have joined forces to create a new documentary that explores the value of arts education for the youth, communities, and creative economy of L.A. County.
The Santa Clarita Valley League of Women Voters, partnering with College of the Canyons Center for Civic Engagement and its Engage the Vote Student Action Team, is sponsoring a virtual, “Conversation with Mayor Bill Miranda,” on Monday, April 19, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed Thursday 23 new deaths and 613 new cases of COVID-19, with 27,535 total cases in the Santa Clarita Valley.
The results of two surveys regarding the controversy surrounding the Hart High School mascot were reported during the William S. Hart Union High School District governing board meeting on Wednesday.
As students and staff return to schools for in-person instruction, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reminds everyone to keep the safety of students in mind when traveling around schools.
Los Angeles County Public Health officials on Wednesday confirmed 57 new deaths and 411 new cases of COVID-19 countywide, as the county prepares to expand vaccination eligibility to residents 16 and older on Thursday.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has approved $140,000 in funding to the Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club through the county's Community Services Block Grant.
California public health officials this week lifted capacity limits on in-person services at places of worship from the state's reopening scheme, following a handful of Supreme Court decisions in favor of congregants challenging the state’s COVID-19 capacity limits.
The Santa Clarita City Council on Tuesday night approved one-time funding of $100,000 for the relocation of Bridge to Home shelter services for people experiencing homelessness, and an additional loan not to exceed $110,000.
California Institute of the Arts, or CalArts, is leasing space at Newhall Crossings in Downtown Newhall to put its students’ artwork on display, officials with the Valencia arts college announced recently.
The Santa Clarita City Council unanimously approved Tuesday a Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital expansion plan, following a public hearing with protest from members of a local carpenters union and calls by community members to include a mental health care unit for children.
California Senate Bill 546, a measure to extend the state's "iFoster" cell phones and data program for foster youth, has passed out of the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee with unanimous support, according to Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita).
College of the Canyons athletic programs returned to campus this week to begin outdoor team strength and conditioning activities, guided by a stringent return-to-campus procedural plan designed to ensure the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and support staff.
The organizers of high school athletics in Southern California announced Monday their plans to move forward with section championships for a number of outdoor sports.
If you watched NASA’s exciting Mars Perseverance rover landing on Feb. 18, you definitely won’t want to miss the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus spring 2021 virtual Star Party on Friday, April 23.
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30 Comments
Tara Plum how come I don’t feel very healthy 🤔
Sorry to butt in, but when I lived there I didn’t feel healthy AT ALL. Actually, it was the SCV where I started getting really sick and was eventually diagnosed with allergies so bad it made it hard to function. I never had them before living there!
Did you go to your orange theory class this morning? 😜 cuz I didn’t go to afterburn today like I was supposed to 😩
I love this city 😁
Why don’t you and Tara Plum join me on the next challenge at Warrior. It’s free 😜
Letty Zendejas and i were just talking about doing a fitness challenge last night. My hubby does pest control at Afterburn, so I was going to check that out. But I’m down to try! We also wanted to try F45.
What about the bad air quality?
Sabrina Rincon and we moved out lol
Nombre
Study based on number of cars in a Trader Joe’s parking lot
Hey!
Tell me more Nancy Quinonez
Henry Mayo Fitness and Health – Did we have something to do with this? 😉
What a load of crap. Exactly how does WallyThub qualify as an expert on “health” when it comes to cities? Who the heck are they anyway?
Oh, here they are:
WalletHub: Free Credit Scores, Reports & Credit Improvement
WalletHub is the only destination for free credit scores & reports updated daily. We also offer all the tools & insights needed to reach top WalletFitness.
That is from their website. So, don’t get so excited SClaritans. Somebody paid for this, even if it’s just through advertising.
And don’t mention it to those stuck in traffic breathing the exhausts, or more importantly to anyone who lives in Val Verde.
And yet, it’s the sort of thing that entices more and more people to move here.
Jorge Ravelo it s in the health
Meanwhile our Congressman voted yes in AHCA, taking healthcare away from thousands.
Won’t be once those 22,000 homes get built off the 126/5
All western states…..
How “healthy” can it be with our bad air quality? The air we are breathing should be one of their factors instead of how many farmers markets there are.
Sergio Alex Gallegos
Daniella Fiallos
A.z. Jarrous
Delilah Samuraii Vielma maybe not so bad for me
🙄
Kevin D. Korenthal Check the picture. 😊
Not if I can do anything about it!
I think we used to be higher.
Santa Clarita is a really nice place to live. Fantastic parks and recreation. Amazing cycling everywhere! Hiking, river trails, aquatic center. Truly a great place to live.
Love this. Really hope all the awesome races we are making in Santa Clarita are helping to contribute to this, we need to get higher!!