While cities in Europe and Asia are often praised for their efficient public transportation, several urban centers in the U.S. are stepping up their game. These cities boast user-friendly, affordable, and safe train and bus systems, making them increasingly viable options for residents and visitors alike. The growing popularity of public transit in the US is evident in the latest figures from the American Public Transportation Association, which reported a 16 percent increase in ridership between 2022 and 2023, culminating in a total of 7.1 billion trips in 2023.
To identify the leading cities in this area, Walk Score, a Redfin subsidiary, conducted an analysis of 130 U.S. cities with populations exceeding 200,000. Their ranking system, based on a 100-point scale, evaluated the effectiveness of each city’s public transportation network. The criteria included factors such as route frequency, stop proximity, and transit modes, with train systems receiving a higher weighting than bus systems. Although the data originates from 2021, the findings still offer a relevant snapshot of the current state of public transportation across the United States.
Topping the list is New York City, achieving a Walk Score transit rating of 88.8 out of 100. The New York City Subway system is not only cost-effective, at $2.90 per ride for most users, but also remarkably extensive, encompassing 472 stations. This robust subway network is complemented by 238 bus routes and two commuter rail systems, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, further enhancing the city’s public transit capabilities.
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Data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) indicates the subway’s massive scale, with an average weekday ridership exceeding 3.6 million in 2023, alongside over one million daily bus riders. Gothamist reports that in 2024, the subway has already surpassed 4 million daily riders on more than 38 days, demonstrating its continued importance for city commuters.
San Francisco secured the second spot, but with a transit score of 77.1, a significant 11.5 points behind New York City. This West Coast hub is famous for its iconic cable cars, which are integrated with a network of buses and trains operated by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni).
Interestingly, San Francisco is one of only two West Coast cities featured in the top rankings, with Seattle coming in at No. 9. The remainder of the Walk Score list is predominantly made up of East Coast cities. Boston; Jersey City, New Jersey; Washington, D.C.; and Philadelphia all demonstrate strong public transportation networks, earning them places in the top tier. Chicago stands out as the sole representative from the Midwest in the top rankings.
Here is the complete list of the top 10 US cities for public transportation according to Walk Score:
- New York (Transit Score: 88.6)
- San Francisco (Transit Score: 77.1)
- Boston (Transit Score: 72.4)
- Jersey City, New Jersey (Transit Score: 70.5)
- Washington, D.C. (Transit Score: 68.7)
- Philadelphia (Transit Score: 67)
- Newark, New Jersey (tie) (Transit Score: 65)
- Chicago (tie) (Transit Score: 65)
- Seattle (Transit Score: 59.6)
- Arlington, Virginia (Transit Score: 58.6)
