The typical new car today costs almost $49,000 – near a record high. Used cars are also flirting with all-time highs. That’s because car prices skyrocketed during the pandemic and have hardly fallen since, making car ownership one of the biggest financial burdens Americans face.
A recent survey found that nearly half of Americans say car costs are standing in the way of financial stability. But in most U.S. cities, owning a car is practically a requirement. This creates a divide between those who own a car and those who don’t (often a racial one), impacting socioeconomic opportunity, health outcomes, and more.
That’s why it matters to be able to get around without a car – and in some cities, it’s possible. In this article, Redfin real estate highlights the top 10 U.S. cities where you don’t need a car, ranked by their “Car-Free Score.”
These cities offer robust public transportation, walkable neighborhood cores, and solid bike infrastructure. Learn more about how scores were calculated in the methodology.
>> Learn more about the most walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly cities
1. Cambridge, MA
Car-Free Score: 84.6 | Walk Score: 90 | Bike Score: 96 | Transit Score: 70
Home to Harvard University, MIT, and a dense mix of historic neighborhoods, Cambridge is the best city in the U.S. for car-free living. It excels in all three categories: Walkability, bikeability, and transit-friendliness.
- Walking: Most of Cambridge is built on a human scale. Neighborhoods like Harvard Square and Central Square pack groceries, cafes, parks, and pharmacies within a few blocks – perfect for daily errands on foot.
- Biking: Cambridge is a national leader in bike infrastructure. The city has protected lanes on major corridors like Massachusetts Ave and Broadway, dozens of Bluebikes stations, and seamless links to regional trails like the Minuteman Bikeway and the Charles River path.
- Public…