10 healthiest U.S. cities in 2020

1. Miami

For the second consecutive year, Miami ranks as the healthiest city in the U.S. Since the pandemic's onset, three in four residents say they're more focused on their health and wellness, more than any other city in the index. Miami is also number one in continuing to make fitness a priority, with 87% of residents working out at least once a week; 75% of residents join live stream or pre-recorded workouts every week. Miami residents are the top spenders at salons and spas, fitness studios and gyms, and wellness businesses. Miami beats the other 49 cities as the one with the closest relationships with friends and family, the most well-rested and the happiest.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

10. Seattle

Seattle has the highest percentage of yogis in the country, with 23% of residents practicing regularly. They also like to walk outdoors, engage in strength training and cardio on machines such as treadmills, ellipticals and rowers. Fifty-eight percent of Seattleites sleep at least seven to eight hours a night, compared with the national average of 52%.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

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9. Houston

From 2019 to 2020, Houston leapt from 38th to ninth healthiest city in the U.S. Among the reasons: Seventy-seven percent residents report working out once a week or more, with 55% doing so virtually. Seven in 10 Houstonians say they have close relationships with family members and/or friends, and more than half say they feel spiritually fulfilled.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

8. San Diego

San Diego residents are both active — more than three-quarters work out once a week or more — and well-rested — more than half report sleeping at least seven or eight hours each night. The city ranks among the best for body mass index, with 47% of San Diegans maintaining a normal BMI.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

7. Los Angeles

Almost 80% of Angelenos say they work out once a week or more, with 57% doing so virtually each week — likely because of the city's strict coronavirus lockdowns. Forty-three percent opt to walk outdoors, and 26% go for runs. LA residents are among the top spenders for fitness, wellness and salon services, which is not surprising given that 68% say they're more focused on their health and wellness since the pandemic. And Los Angeles has the distinction of having the lowest percentage of cigarette smokers in the country.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

Health across various dimensions of wellness puts San Jose in the top 10. Seventy-nine percent of residents work out at least once a week — outdoor running, walking and hiking are their most popular forms of movement — and more than half participate in virtual workouts at least once a week. In addition, 73% of San Jose residents say they have close family relationships and/or friendships, and 58% get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

5. Washington, D.C.

The nation's capital is one of the country's most well-rested cities, ranking third with 65% of residents saying they get seven to eight hours of shuteye a night. DC residents are close with friends and family and connected to their neighborhoods and communities, as well, ranking fourth in both dimensions. Four in five say they work out at least once a week.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

4. New York

Despite having the strictest and longest lockdowns in 2020, New Yorkers remain dedicated to wellness — and specifically to physical fitness. Seventy-five percent exercise at least once a week, and 65% join a live stream or pre-recorded workout on a weekly basis. New Yorkers are second in their spending at salons. The Big Apple ranks third in happiness, spiritual fulfilment and strong ties to neighborhood and community, and fifth in close relationships with family and friends. Seventy-one percent say they're more focused on their health and wellness than they were before the pandemic.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

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3. San Francisco

A dedication to physical fitness helps San Francisco rank third among the healthiest cities in the U.S. Eighty-two percent of residents exercise at least once a week, their top activities being outdoor walking and weight/strength training. The city has the second fewest smokers of all cities surveyed. San Franciscans are tied for first place for the highest percentage of residents with normal body mass index.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

2. Atlanta

Atlanta maintains its status as the second-healthiest city in the U.S on several counts. It is the most spiritually fulfilled. It takes social wellness seriously. More than any other city, residents say they feel connected to their neighbors and community, and they are just behind the number one city in close relationships with friends and family. Atlanta is also the second most well-rested city in the index.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

For the second consecutive year, Miami ranks as the healthiest city in the U.S. Since the pandemic's onset, three in four residents say they're more focused on their health and wellness, more than any other city in the index. Miami is also number one in continuing to make fitness a priority, with 87% of residents working out at least once a week; 75% of residents join live stream or pre-recorded workouts every week. Miami residents are the top spenders at salons and spas, fitness studios and gyms, and wellness businesses. Miami beats the other 49 cities as the one with the closest relationships with friends and family, the most well-rested and the happiest.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

10. Seattle

Seattle has the highest percentage of yogis in the country, with 23% of residents practicing regularly. They also like to walk outdoors, engage in strength training and cardio on machines such as treadmills, ellipticals and rowers. Fifty-eight percent of Seattleites sleep at least seven to eight hours a night, compared with the national average of 52%.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

9. Houston

From 2019 to 2020, Houston leapt from 38th to ninth healthiest city in the U.S. Among the reasons: Seventy-seven percent residents report working out once a week or more, with 55% doing so virtually. Seven in 10 Houstonians say they have close relationships with family members and/or friends, and more than half say they feel spiritually fulfilled.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

8. San Diego

San Diego residents are both active — more than three-quarters work out once a week or more — and well-rested — more than half report sleeping at least seven or eight hours each night. The city ranks among the best for body mass index, with 47% of San Diegans maintaining a normal BMI.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

7. Los Angeles

Almost 80% of Angelenos say they work out once a week or more, with 57% doing so virtually each week — likely because of the city's strict coronavirus lockdowns. Forty-three percent opt to walk outdoors, and 26% go for runs. LA residents are among the top spenders for fitness, wellness and salon services, which is not surprising given that 68% say they're more focused on their health and wellness since the pandemic. And Los Angeles has the distinction of having the lowest percentage of cigarette smokers in the country.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

Health across various dimensions of wellness puts San Jose in the top 10. Seventy-nine percent of residents work out at least once a week — outdoor running, walking and hiking are their most popular forms of movement — and more than half participate in virtual workouts at least once a week. In addition, 73% of San Jose residents say they have close family relationships and/or friendships, and 58% get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

5. Washington, D.C.

The nation's capital is one of the country's most well-rested cities, ranking third with 65% of residents saying they get seven to eight hours of shuteye a night. DC residents are close with friends and family and connected to their neighborhoods and communities, as well, ranking fourth in both dimensions. Four in five say they work out at least once a week.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

4. New York

Despite having the strictest and longest lockdowns in 2020, New Yorkers remain dedicated to wellness — and specifically to physical fitness. Seventy-five percent exercise at least once a week, and 65% join a live stream or pre-recorded workout on a weekly basis. New Yorkers are second in their spending at salons. The Big Apple ranks third in happiness, spiritual fulfilment and strong ties to neighborhood and community, and fifth in close relationships with family and friends. Seventy-one percent say they're more focused on their health and wellness than they were before the pandemic.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

3. San Francisco

A dedication to physical fitness helps San Francisco rank third among the healthiest cities in the U.S. Eighty-two percent of residents exercise at least once a week, their top activities being outdoor walking and weight/strength training. The city has the second fewest smokers of all cities surveyed. San Franciscans are tied for first place for the highest percentage of residents with normal body mass index.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

2. Atlanta

Atlanta maintains its status as the second-healthiest city in the U.S on several counts. It is the most spiritually fulfilled. It takes social wellness seriously. More than any other city, residents say they feel connected to their neighbors and community, and they are just behind the number one city in close relationships with friends and family. Atlanta is also the second most well-rested city in the index.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

Instant Insights /

10 healthiest U.S. cities in 2020

1. Miami

10. Seattle

9. Houston

8. San Diego

7. Los Angeles

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6. San Jose

5. Washington, D.C.

4. New York

3. San Francisco

2. Atlanta

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1. Miami

10. Seattle

9. Houston

8. San Diego

7. Los Angeles

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6. San Jose

5. Washington, D.C.

4. New York

3. San Francisco

2. Atlanta

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10 healthiest U.S. cities in 2020

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Janet Levaux

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