How easy would it be to leave your car behind or not even have one? A new ranking of U.S. cities Thursday, based on their public transit systems, offers a clue and perhaps some surprises.
As might be expected, New York, San Francisco, Boston and Washington, D.C., top the list of 25 cities, but Miami comes it at eighth place and Los Angeles at 11th, according to the analysis by Walk Score, a website that scores homes and neighborhoods for walkability. Eco-friendly Austin, Texas, ranks 21st, while the other bottom cities include Raleigh (N.C.), Columbus (Ohio) Las Vegas and Sacramento.
"Heading to the gas pump this season is about as much fun as getting a root canal," Walk Score CEO, Josh Herst, said in announcing the findings, based on how well a location is served by buses, subways and other public transit. "Being able to leave your car at home more often is great for your wallet, your waistline and the environment."
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His group says using public transit saves individuals big bucks -- estimated at more than $10,000 a year by the American Public Transportation Association. It also notes that young adults are leading the trend toward driving less. The average annual number of vehicle miles traveled by 16- to 34-year-olds in the U.S. fell 23% between 2001 and 2009, according to a study released earlier this month by U.S. PIRG, a federation of consumer groups.
Here's how Walk Score ranks 25 U.S. cities:
(1) New York (Transit Score: 81)
(2) San Francisco (Transit Score: 80)
(3) Boston (Transit Score: 74)
(4) Washington, D.C. (Transit Score: 69)
(5) Philadelphia (Transit Score: 68)
(6) Chicago (Transit Score: 65)
(7) Seattle (Transit Score: 59)
(8) Miami (Transit Score: 57)
(9) Baltimore (Transit Score: 57)
(10) Portland (Transit Score: 50)
(11) Los Angeles (Transit Score: 49)
(12) Milwaukee (Transit Score: 49)
(13) Denver (Transit Score: 47)
(14) Cleveland (Transit Score: 45)
(15) San Jose (Transit Score; 40)
(16) Dallas (Transit Score: 39)
(17) Houston (Transit Score: 36)
(18) San Diego (Transit Score: 36)
(19) San Antonio (Transit Score: 35)
(20) Kansas City (Transit Score: 34)
(21) Austin (Transit Score: 33)
(22) Sacramento (Transit Score: 32)
(23) Las Vegas (Transit Score: 32)
(24) Columbus (Transit Score: 29)
(25) Raleigh (Transit Score: 23)
Wendy Koch has been a reporter and editor at USA TODAY since 1998, covering politics and social issues. She's begun a quest to build the most eco-friendly home her budget allows. She'll share her experience and give you tips for greening your home. More about Wendy