Hoboken tops national list for walkability

Hoboken has been named the most walkable city in the United States after receiving a score of 97 in a new national analysis. The ranking places the Hudson County city ahead of every other community in the 2,500-city study conducted by Travel & Leisure.

The report, released on Monday, evaluated walkability using data from Walk Score, OpenStreetMap, and the U.S. Census. Criteria included the ease of accessing amenities on foot, population density, and road infrastructure. Cities were categorized on a scale from 0 to 100, with scores of 90 to 100 designated as “Walker’s Paradise.”

The analysis credited Hoboken’s high score to its tight street grid and mixed-use development. The city’s proximity to PATH, NJ Transit, light rail, and ferry stops also played a role. A report summary stated that daily trips, such as grocery runs or commuting to New York City, are feasible on foot without a car.

Three other New Jersey cities appeared in the top ten, giving the state a strong showing. Union City and West New York tied for second place with scores of 94. Jersey City rounded out the group at number 10. This performance means four Hudson County cities made the national top ten list.

New York City, located just across the river, ranked eighth. It was the only New York state city on the list. Other “Walker’s Paradise” entries included West Hollywood, California, at number four, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, at number five. San Francisco, Somerville, Massachusetts, and Hermosa Beach, California, completed the top ten rankings.

The study’s data reflects current conditions in the analyzed cities. The scores provide a snapshot of pedestrian infrastructure across the country. The high placement of multiple New Jersey cities contrasts with the national average for urban walkability.