Top 10 Cities For A Happy & Healthy Dog In 2024
Andrea Powell
There are a lot of factors that go into finding the perfect city to call home. For dog owners, that includes find a pet-friendly city that will allow their beloved furry friend to thrive.
Are you wondering which cities ranked the best for a happy and healthy dog? Well, you are in luck. USA TODAY Blueprint just released the list of the top 10 cities ideal for dogs and their owners.
The researchers found the best cities for dogs by evaluating 46 of the most populated cities on the following categories:
- Number of veterinary offices per 100,000 residents.
- Percent of residents within a 10-minute walk to a park.
- Average annual vet costs in the city.
- WalkScore, which refers to how walkable a city is without a car.
- Number of dog parks per 100,000 residents.
- Number of “cooling degree days,” as dogs don’t thrive in the heat.
There was a total of 100 points and after sifting through all the information, researchers discovered that the West Coast rules. However, you may be surprised to see a bustling city on the East Coast with brutal winters also made the list.
Below are the top cities to live in 2024 with your dog.
1. Seattle, Washington
Seattle ranked at the number one city (with a perfect score of 100) due to its mild temperatures that don't often go above 65 degrees, plethora of parks, and numerous vet offices. Researchers shared, "99% of Seattle residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park."
2. Portland, Oregon
Portland is also another fantastic place for dogs due to their abundant parks, nearly six parks per 100,000 residents, and cooler days.
3. San Francisco, California
San Francisco comes in third due to amazing weather, but the downside is high vet rates with the average dog owner spending roughly $881 a year.
4. Boston, Massachusetts
While the winters are frigid, Boston received high scores for walkability and for the number of parks for Fido to play at. This is one of two East Coast cities to make the list.
5. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis makes the list thanks to its many parks and lower vet rates with dog owners paying an estimated $721 per year.
6. Long Beach, California
Aside from the surf and sun, this California city has numerous vet offices with about 221 per 100,000 residents. But you may pay a bit more in vet care to live in such an ideal location.
7. Washington, D.C.
This city ranked highest for walk score with 99% of residents being within a 10-minute walk of a park.
8. Denver, Colorado
Denver is a great place for adventurers and their dogs. While it doesn't have the most dog park, there are still plenty of areas to explore with Fido. The great news is that this city has the "cheapest annual vet rates" of all cities on the list.
9. Sacramento, California
No surprise that California has another city on the list with its nearly perfect temperatures. Sacramento has the third most dog parks of all evaluated cities and plenty of vet offices.
10. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta makes the list due to its lower annual vet rates and ranks third in the number of vet officer per 100,000 residents. However, getting places will more than likely require a car as it ranks lowest for walk score.
Check out how the top cities ranked in each category in the chart below and then see which cities have the highest vet costs here.
If your city didn't make the list, feel free to share in the comments why you and your dog love where you live.
