The Best Pet-Friendly Cities in America
Although pets can be fun, it’s a commitment to take care of them. One thing that makes pet ownership easier, however, is living in a city that is pet-friendly. A report released by WalletHub determined the best cities for you to have or get a pet. The ranking is based on three categories: pet budget, pet health and wellness, and outdoor pet-friendliness.
Cities scored points in the pet budget category for factors like veterinary care costs, minimum pet-care provider rate per visit and dog insurance premiums. Cities scored points in the pet health and wellness category for factors like veterinarians, pet caretakers and animal trainers per capita. And to score points in the outdoor pet-friendliness category, cities were evaluated for factors like weather, dog parks per capita, walk score and dog-friendly trails per capita. Based on these criteria, these are the 50 top pet-friendly cities.
#50 Fremont, California
One of the best cities for jobs, Fremont, California ranks fifth in the outdoor pet-friendliness category, making it a great place for you to go outside and have fun with your pet.
#49 Corpus Christi, Texas
If you are on a budget and caring for a pet then, Corpus Christi, Texas, might be for you. The city ranks third in the pet budget category.
#48 Washington, DC
Considered one of the safest cities in the world, Washington, D.C., is also one of the safest places for your pet. It ranks 17th in the outdoor pet-friendliness category.
#47 Bakersfield, California
The second city in California on this list, Bakersfield is not outstanding in any one category but has solid scores in each of the three categories, which make this city rank 47th overall.
#46 Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas, is another city that is not exceptional in any one category but did pretty well in every category, which helped it rank 46th overall among every city in America.
#45 Henderson, Nevada
Although Henderson, Nevada, is not the romantic adventure that Las Vegas is, it does rank 24th in the outdoor-pet friendliness category. You can have your own outside adventure with your pet and enjoy the warm weather.
#44 Virginia Beach, Virginia
Known for being the most caring city in America, Virginia Beach is also a great place for you to care for a furry friend of your own. It ranked 12th in the pet budget category, so you will be able to afford to have your pet around.
#43 Columbus, Ohio
This Midwestern city ranks right above Virginia Beach in overall pet-friendliness but also came in 11th in the pet budget category.
#42 Chesapeake, Virginia
The second city from Virginia, the East Coast city of Chesapeake is solid in every category, which raises it to an overall ranking of 42.
#41 San Francisco, California
Known for having one of the most amazing bridges in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is also known for having the best outdoor pet-friendliness with the No. 1 ranking in that category.
#40 Louisville, Kentucky
Kentucky’s largest city ranked exceptionally well in the pet budget category, coming in at 13, which helped it rank 40th overall.
#39 Boston, Massachusetts
Dream of walking your pet through idyllic college campuses? Boston might be for you and your furry friend. The capital of Massachusetts placed in the middle of all three categories, but those solid rankings helped it come in at 39th overall.
#38 Jersey City, New Jersey
Besides being known for its boardwalks, Jersey City should also be known as being incredibly pet friendly. The city ranked inside the top 15 in pet health and wellness and the outdoor-pet friendliness category to help bring this city to an overall ranking of 38.
#37 Long Beach, California
Known mostly for having an amazing beach, Long Beach, California, is exceptional in the outdoor pet-friendliness ranking, coming in at No. 10 in that particular category and at No. 37 overall.
#36 St. Petersburg, Florida
There’s plenty to Florida beyond Disney and the beach, like its pet-friendliness. St. Petersburg, Florida, ranks 36th overall.
#35 Houston, Texas
The biggest city in the state of Texas is also a big-time city for you to raise your pet. Although it scores in the middle in all three categories, Houston ranks 35th overall.
#34 New Orleans, Louisiana
Known for its amazing cuisine, New Orleans does not just make delicious food. It also is a great place to have a pet, ranking around the middle in every category and having an overall rank of 34.
#33 Oakland, California
Oakland, California, ranks eighth in the outdoor pet-friendliness category, which makes it a safe and fun place for you to enjoy some outdoor activities with your pet and helps give it an overall rank of 33.
#32 Tusla, Oklahoma
Coming in with a rank of sixth in the pet budget category, Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an inexpensive place for pet owners. This ranking assists in giving the city an overall ranking of 32.
#30 Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho, boasts beautiful trees and shrubbery all over the city, which makes it a perfect place for pets who love the outdoors and nature. Just make sure to keep them away from common items that can cause them harm. Boise has an overall ranking of 30.
#30 Anaheim, California
The first thing you might think of when it comes to Anaheim is all the amazing rides and restaurants at Disneyland, but if you live in the area, you may also know it’s great for pets. The city ranked 12th in the pet health and wellness rank, which helps it receive a ranking of 30th overall.
#29 North Las Vegas, Nevada
Located North of one of America’s most expensive travel destinations, North Las Vegas, Nevada, has a solid ranking in every category but has a top-25 ranking in the outdoor pet-friendliness category, making it 20th overall.
#28 Plano, Texas
Plano, Texas, ranks fifth in the pet health and wellness category, which brings this city to an overall ranking of 29th.
#27 Los Angeles, California
While Los Angeles is known for its celebrity sightings and movie locations you can actually visit, it is also known for being a great place for pets with exceptional rankings in two WalletHub categories. It ranks 13th in the pet health and wellness category and third in outdoor pet-friendliness category. The city came in 27th overall.
#26 Miami, Florida
In a state with no personal income tax, Miami is one of the many cities in Florida that is great for pets. It ranks in the top 25 in the pet health and wellness category and 26th overall.
#25 Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas, ranks well in the pet budget and the pet health and wellness category, which helps it be one of the many Texas cities on this list. These rankings helped propel it to be the first city in the top 25.
#24 Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
The metropolitan area of Lexington, Kentucky, ranks in the top 25 in two categories and overall. The two categories where it scored the highest were in the pet budget category and the pet health and wellness category.
#23 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The city of Pittsburgh is a great weekend getaway, but it is also a great city to have a pet. It ranks in the top 25 in the outdoor pet-friendliness category, which will also make it a great weekend getaway for your pet.
#22 San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Texas, but it is also a beautiful place for you to have a pet. Ranking No. 8 in the pet budget category, this city will allow you to afford all of the expenses it takes to have a pet. It ranked 22nd overall.
#21 Denver, Colorado
Majestic mountains or maybe even marijuana might come to mind when thinking about Denver, but pet owners should be aware it might be their perfect next move. It ranks 11th in the pet health and wellness category and in the top 25 of the outdoor pet-friendliness category. These exceptional rankings in two categories help bring its overall ranking to No. 21.
#20 Cincinnati, Ohio
The Midwestern city of Cincinnati is a great place for you to have a pet because of its top-25 rankings in the pet budget category, which makes it affordable for you to have a pet. This helps bring it to an overall ranking of 20.
#19 Tucson, Arizona
There are three cities in the top 20 in Arizona. Tucson has a solid ranking in every category, bringing it to an overall ranking of 19.
#18 Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California, has an abundance of lush parks and gardens for you and your pet to visit. The city came in with an overall ranking of 18.
#17 Irvine, California
There are many things you can do to make sure your pet is safe and happy. Always make sure you are feeding your pet the right food, and choose a location that supports having a pet. Irvine ranks eighth in the pet health and wellness category and second in the outdoor-pet friendliness category. These two rankings in the top 10 make it no surprise that Irvine is 17th overall.
#16 Colorado Springs, Colorado
You can visit some of the most breathtaking views in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but it’s also great for furry friends. The city comes in at 12th in the outdoor pet-friendliness category and 16th overall.
#15 Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is not only the capital of North Carolina, but it is home to some of the most beautiful college campuses in the South. This city is affordable for pets, with a ranking of 19th in the pet budget category, and it is also safe for pets, with a ranking of 10th for pet health and wellness. It ranks 15th overall for pet-friendliness.
#14 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Although it does not have exceptional rankings in two categories, Oklahoma City does have the best ranking in the pet budget category. Making it the most affordable place to have a pet earns it the spot of the 14th-best city overall.
#13 Birmingham, Alabama
The Southern city of Birmingham, Alabama, ranks in the top 20 in the category of pet budget, which makes it an affordable city to have a pet. It has an overall ranking of 13.
#12 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ranking in the top 20 in two categories, pet budget and outdoor pet-friendliness, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an affordable place to have some outdoor fun. No wonder it ranks 12th overall.
#11 San Diego, California
The coastal city of San Diego ranks at No. 7 in outdoor pet-friendliness and third-highest in pet health and wellness. This will ensure your pet will be safe while having some fun outside. San Diego ranks 11th overall.
#10 Portland, Oregon
The City of Roses, Portland, Oregon, has its best rankings in pet health and wellness and outdoor pet-friendliness, coming in with rankings of 21 and nine respectively. These exceptional rankings in two categories help it be the first city in the top 10.
#9 Seattle, Washington
Located in one of the best states to raise a family, the city of Seattle is also a great place to raise a pet. It has a ranking of No. 7 in the pet health and wellness category and No. 11 in the outdoor pet-friendliness category. This boosts this city to be ninth overall.
#8 St. Louis, Missouri
Whether you have a pet named Rover or Baxter or Elvis, they will likely love the Midwestern city of St. Louis. It has a great ranking in every category and a great ranking overall, coming in at eighth.
#7 Atlanta, Georgia
The city of Atlanta may be the hub of the South, but it’s also great for people to want to settle down with pets because it ranks sixth in the pet health and wellness category and seventh overall.
#6 Las Vegas, Nevada
The third and final city that is located in Nevada is Las Vegas. This popular travel destination is also popular for being a great place for pets. It earned high rankings of No. 9 and No. 4 in the pet health & wellness category and outdoor pet-friendliness category, respectively.
#5 Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix may be known for being one of the hottest in the country, but it is also an exceptional place to have a pet. With its lowest score being just outside the top 25, it is no surprise this city is the first in the top five.
#4 Austin, Texas
The lively city of Austin is a great place to enjoy live music and chow down on regional barbecue. But it is also a safe place for your pet, ranking second in the pet health and wellness category for an overall ranking of No. 4.
#3 Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida, is home to the most popular baseball team in Florida, and it is also one of the top three pet-friendly cities. It has a ranking in the top 20 in every category, which makes it a well-rounded city to have a pet in.
#2 Orlando, Florida
The home of Disney World and the world’s most famous mouse, Orlando, Florida, would also be a great home for your pet. The city came in at No. 7 in the pet budget category and at No. 4 in the pet health and wellness category, helping it rank second overall.
#1 Scottsdale, Arizona
Even though Scottsdale, Arizona, has some pricey retirement communities and does not have the best pet budget ranking, it scored the best in the pet health and wellness category and the sixth-best ranking in the outdoor pet-friendliness category, making it the best city in America to have a pet. If you plan on getting a dog as your pet, get some inspiration from the top dog names in America.
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