Redfin Ranks the 10 Most Neighborly U.S. Cities of 2026
Redfin has released a ranking of the 10 most neighborly U.S. cities, based on data from Census Bureau surveys, County Health Rankings, and the Social Capital Atlas. The study focused on the 75 largest cities, narrowing to those with median home prices at or below $500 per square foot. Salt Lake City topped the list, with 43% of residents volunteering in the past year and 44% helping neighbors monthly. Portland, Oregon, ranked second, with high charitable giving and civic engagement. Kansas City, Missouri, took third, with the highest rate of neighbors helping each other (51%). Denver, Nashville, Atlanta, San Diego, Austin, Raleigh, and Tampa rounded out the top 10. The report highlights community initiatives like Salt Lake City's Love Your Block program and Portland's We Shine PDX, and notes that strong community ties can exist despite high housing costs, as seen in San Diego. The ranking reflects a broader trend of declining neighborhood participation since 2019, but these cities demonstrate resilient community bonds.
Key facts
- Redfin ranked the 10 most neighborly U.S. cities using data from Census Bureau surveys, County Health Rankings, and the Social Capital Atlas.
- Salt Lake City ranked first, with 43% of residents volunteering and 44% helping neighbors monthly.
- Portland, Oregon, ranked second, with 58% donating to charity and 22% discussing local issues with neighbors.
- Kansas City, Missouri, ranked third, with 51% of residents helping neighbors monthly, the highest rate in the study.
- Denver ranked fourth, with 64% donating to charity and 49% helping neighbors monthly.
- Nashville ranked fifth, with 28% discussing civic issues with neighbors, the highest share in the study.
- Atlanta ranked sixth, with the third-highest number of civic organizations per capita.
- San Diego ranked seventh, with a median home price of $900,000, the highest on the list.
- Austin ranked eighth, with a 4.2% decline in median home prices, the steepest among the top 10.
- Raleigh ranked ninth, with 93% of residents living within half a mile of a park.
- Tampa ranked tenth, with 24% discussing local issues with neighbors, the second-highest share.
Entities
Institutions
- Redfin
- Census Bureau
- County Health Rankings
- Social Capital Atlas
- Love Your Block
- We Shine PDX
- A Little Help
- Extreme Community Makeover
- University Heights Community Association
- Mueller Neighborhood Association
- Texas Farmers' Market
- Mordecai Community Action Coalition
- Pelagic
- Grant Park Conservancy
- Candler Park Neighborhood Organization
- Axios
Locations
- Salt Lake City
- United States
- Portland
- Oregon
- Kansas City
- Missouri
- Denver
- Colorado
- Nashville
- Tennessee
- Atlanta
- Georgia
- San Diego
- California
- Austin
- Texas
- Raleigh
- North Carolina
- Tampa
- Florida
- St. Petersburg
- Clearwater
- Sugar House
- The Avenues
- Hawthorne District
- Kenton
- Brookside
- River Market
- Washington Park
- Park Hill
- Eastwood
- Sylvan Park
- Candler Park
- Grant Park
- University Heights
- Point Loma
- Mueller
- Brentwood
- Five Points
- Mordecai
- Hyde Park
- Seminole Heights
- Arroyo Seco
- Adams Avenue
- Liberty Station
Sources
- Quartz —