Top 10 Healthiest Cities in America in 2023
April 9, 2024
The Mindbody + ClassPass annual Wellness Index ranks the health of the 50 most populous US cities. The rankings are based on a variety of factors, including how much residents exercise, how stressed they feel, the amount of rest they get, how many of them smoke, and how much alcohol they consume. We also look at how close they are to friends and family and whether they feel spiritually fulfilled.
Ready to see which cities made the top 10?
10. Tampa, FL
At #10 is a well-rounded city that moved up 6 spots from last year: Tampa. Residents have close relationships with others, are spiritually fulfilled, and get adequate rest each night. Tampenos avoid excessive drinking and work out regularly—70% work out at least once a week.
9. Oakland, CA
After years of just missing the top 10, Oakland, California is officially at #9 this year. Here’s why: Oakland residents avoid drinking too much and smoking—nearly 90% stay away from excessive alcohol consumption and 70% don’t smoke. Plus, more than three-quarters of residents work out at least once a week and almost 65% have close relationships with friends and family.
8. New York, NY
Start spreading the news: New York is the 8th healthiest city in the US. Not surprisingly, New Yorkers are on the move; nearly three quarters prioritize movement at least once a week, with Pilates being the most popular workout.* Residents are most likely to work out at lunch and after work, although late-night workouts don’t appear to be getting in the way of bedtime. Funny enough, The City That Never Sleeps is the most well-rested city in the United States!
7. Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles earned a spot in the 10 healthiest cities once again, although it dropped from 2nd place to 7th this year. Los Angeles is big on fitness—group fitness, specifically. Angelenos book the most workout classes in the United States, with Pilates being the most popular.* Over half of residents exercise 90 minutes or more per week. Beyond working out, LA prioritizes both rest and spirituality. Half of residents get 7-8 hours of sleep per night and 54% say they’re spiritually fulfilled.
6. Albuquerque, NM
Another surprising addition to the Top 10 Healthiest Cities? The most populous city in New Mexico: Albuquerque! This is Albuquerque’s first time appearing in the top 10; last year the city was ranked #36. Why the jump? Residents are prioritizing wellness like never before. Albuquerque has the highest number of residents who get the recommended daily serving of fruits and vegetables, have close relationships, and abstain from excessive drinking. Albuquerque also has the 2nd highest percentage of residents who work out at least once a week (right behind San Diego) and the 3rd highest number of non-smokers (behind San Francisco and San Diego). Interestingly, Albuquerque is the most stressed city in the United States; 65% say they are very or extremely stressed. Here’s hoping its growing dedication to healthy habits make room for a less stressed 2024, and beyond.
5. Chicago, IL
The Windy City, aka Chicago, is making its debut on the top 10 list as the 5th healthiest city in the US. Chicago has a large number of residents who prioritize exercise at least once a week (76%) and get sufficient rest (51%). Wellness is more than just physical health though; Chi-town also has the 3rd highest number of residents who have close relationships with loved ones.
4. Atlanta, GA
Coming in at #4 for the 2nd year in a row is Atlanta. Over half of all residents exercise 90 minutes or more per week. A-Town's most popular workout is strength training, which may prove to be a serious stress-reliever*—Atlanta is the 3rd least stressed city in the country, after all. Another stress reliever for Atlanta residents: a connection to something bigger than themselves. Nearly 60% say they’re spiritually fulfilled.
3. San Diego, CA
The 3rd healthiest city in the US is San Diego. San Diego is home to the highest number of residents—78%—who exercise at least once a week, with yoga being the most coveted workout.* San Diego also has the 2nd highest percentage of both non-smokers (just behind San Francisco) and residents who feel connected to friends and family. San Diegans aren’t afraid to invest in wellness either; they spend an average of $358 on fitness, beauty, and wellness each month.
2. Miami, FL
While Miami may not be at the top of the list this year, it's still at the top of its wellness game. The Magic City has the highest number of residents who exercise 90 minutes or more per week, with most of that time spent pumping iron. How do we know? The most popular workout in Miami is strength training.* Residents also take relationships and spirituality seriously—Miami has the 4th highest number of residents who feel spiritually fulfilled and nearly 70% say they feel close to friends and family.
1. San Francisco, CA
Drum roll, please! San Francisco is officially the healthiest city in America. After 3 years at the top of the list, Miami has moved to #2—making room for The City by the Bay to clinch the top spot. This Northern California metro jumped up 5 spots from last year and ranks highly across many dimensions of wellness. San Franciscans spend the 3rd highest amount on fitness, beauty, and wellness—on average $331 each month. More than half of residents exercise 90 minutes or more per week (the 2nd highest just behind Miami), with the most popular workout being yoga.* SF also has a high percentage of residents (55%) who get 7-8 hours of sleep every night and the highest number of non-smokers in the US. Nearly 65% of SF residents report having close relationships with friends and family, too.
See the full Wellness Index rankings, from healthiest to unhealthiest city.
- San Francisco, CA
- Miami, FL
- San Diego, CA
- Atlanta, GA
- Chicago, IL
- Albuquerque, NM
- Los Angeles, CA
- New York, NY
- Oakland, CA
- Tampa, FL
- San Jose, CA
- Austin, TX
- Washington, DC
- Raleigh, NC
- Seattle, WA
- Houston, TX
- Minneapolis, MN
- Charlotte, NC
- Dallas, TX
- Las Vegas, NV
- Nashville, TN
- Memphis, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Denver, CO
- Boston, MA
- Baltimore, MD
- Sacramento, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Milwaukee, WI
- Detroit, MI
- Tucson, AZ
- Portland, OR
- Long Beach, CA
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Mesa, AZ
- Arlington, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Columbus, OH
- Phoenix, AZ
- Jacksonville, FL
- Indianapolis, IN
- New Orleans, LA
- Omaha, NE
- El Paso, TX
- Kansas City, MO
- Louisville, KY
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Fresno, CA
- Tulsa, OK
- San Antonio, TX
Did your city make the list? Make sure you get your business in front of as many health aficionados as possible by listing your business on ClassPass. We’re so confident ClassPass will increase your visibility and revenue, we guarantee it. (Terms apply.) For Mindbody customers, we’ll measure the revenue from the visits ClassPass sends to your business and compare it to the revenue lost from any customers you lose to ClassPass. If you lose more than you gain, we’ll pay you 2x the difference.
*ClassPass Look Back Report, December 2022.