California has long been a national leader in environmental innovation and efforts to combat climate change. Holding true to that reputation, five localities in the Golden State have made a list of the Top Green Cities in the U.S. — the most of any state.
The rankings were compiled by CoworkingCafe. Only cities with at least 100,000 residents were considered for the study. Metrics include transportation infrastructure, environmental quality, sustainability and recycling, and green spaces. Each city was given a CoworkingCafe Sustainability Index (CSI) score.
Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S.
- San Francisco, CA
- Washington, D.C.
- Portland, OR
- Los Angeles, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Oakland, CA
- New York, NY
- San Diego, CA
- Chicago, IL
- 10. San Jose, CA
Here is what the researchers had to say about the winner, San Francisco:
San Francisco holds a CSI score of 62.5 points, making it this year’s eco all-star. Despite being the birthplace of ridesharing startups like Lyft and Uber, public transportation is still a popular option among the city’s residents. To that end, a whopping 23.9% of San Franciscans prefer to commute this way to work, while another 3.4% choose biking. Accordingly, the city is maximizing its sustainability potential in this sector with 68% of public transportation being eco-friendly. It’s also aiming for an all-electric fleet by 2040.
Furthermore, when it comes to recycling, San Francisco boasts the highest percentage of households that have access to these services among the top 10 cities, with an impressive 95%. The participation rate is also notably high, with 65% of households reducing their footprint through recycling. Nevertheless, San Francisco’s #1 spot comes as no surprise as the city spearheaded environmental policies and awarded community grants to projects that support its Climate Action Plan.
Los Angeles has a CSI score of 53.4. The researchers were impressed by its 1,605 electric vehicle charging stations, 751 eco-friendly structures, widespread access to recycling, and the city’s Clean Air Action Plan. 54% of L.A.’s power now comes from renewable sources.
Oakland has a CSI of 52.3. San Diego’s is 51 and San Jose’s is 47.1.
Although it didn’t make the top 10, Long Beach is also positioning itself as a sustainability leader, according to CoworkingCafe. The website points to “broad recycling access; a strong commitment to renewable energy; and investments in green infrastructure, including 115 green buildings and 225 charging stations.”
Sacramento is also making remarkable strides, the researchers note, with 235 green certified structures and over 50% of power now coming from renewable energy sources.
Want to learn more about America’s top green cities? Click here to see the full list and methodology.
List and data were compiled by CoworkingCafe and do not reflect statistics on all cities.