America’s top green cities

Choosing where to move is a complex decision. It involves a lot of factors, such as the cost of living, employment, housing, education for your children, and many others. However, more and more people nowadays worry about the impact they make on the environment. If you’re one of them, you’ll be glad to hear that many cities in the US are making an effort to be more eco-friendly every day. Choose where to move with our list of America’s top green cities, and hire Best Long Distance Movers to help you relocate. Take a look at our list, and hopefully, you’ll find your next home with ease!

What makes a city green?

While there is no single definition of what makes a city green, there are numerous factors that contribute to many US cities’ “environmentally-friendly” status. Those are mainly things like the number of people who use public transport, recycling programs, renewable energy sources, green spaces, and environmental impact per person. However a city can have all these options, but if people who live there aren’t willing to make an effort to care more for the environment, that particular city isn’t “green”. So, what makes a city green are all these factors combined with the people who care to put effort into living more environmentally friendly.

Here are America’s top green cities

Our country consists of 50 states, many of which have one or more cities that are devoted to making our planet a better place to live. If you’re choosing where to move, and it’s important to you that the city you live in is green, here are the greenest places in the USA:

• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Portland, Oregon
• San Francisco, California
• San Diego, California
• Washington DC
• Seattle, Washington
• Austin, Texas
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Denver, Colorado
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Chicago, Illinois
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Phoenix, Arizona
• New York City, New York
• Charlotte, North Carolina

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu is one of the best USA green cities there are. You will be able to enjoy knowing you’re making a difference and living life as eco-friendly as possible. You can walk or bike through the city, and the best long distance moving companies Honolulu has even offer eco-friendly packing materials. However, living in this heavenly place comes at a high price (quite literally). The cost of living in Honolulu is a whopping 77% higher than the national average. The housing prices are also exceptionally high. In fact, housing in Honolulu is 226% more expensive than the US average. The median home price in Honolulu is just over $600,000, which is pretty high by US standards. Rent, on the other hand, isn’t as extreme, and the median rent price is $1,357.

The job market in Honolulu is excellent, which is one of the advantages of living here. The median income is higher than the national average, while the unemployment rate is at only 3%. You can see why job-seekers move here all the time.

Portland, Oregon

Portland is also one of the greenest cities in the United States. What makes this city special is its devotion to sustainability. Being one of the most forward-thinking cities in the country, it’s no wonder why Portland’s population grows each day. Portland is a very walkable city, making its air clean and pollution-free. Some of the best long distance moving companies Portland use recyclable and reusable packing materials as well! However, the cost of living in Portland is somewhat higher than the national average – 24%, to be exact. On the other hand, the job market is solid and stable, offering job-seekers and entrepreneurs excellent opportunities.

San Francisco, California

If you want to move to California, San Francisco is one of the greenest cities in the state and the entire country. The city has a sustainability program that includes the implementation of several eco-friendly activities throughout the city. For example, the use of plastic water bottles is banned at the San Francisco International Airport; the city has a Zero waste and recycling program, as well as eco-transportation. There are also lots of eco-friendly places and attractions you can visit, and when you move your home or business to another location long distance moving companies San Francisco offers will be there with their eco-friendly packing supplies. The city aims to become fully green soon, promoting local produce, renewable energy sources, and water conservation as much as possible.

San Diego, California

Another excellent choice for a green city, if you’re in California, is the city of San Diego. Making efforts to become as sustainable as possible and progressively opting for the more eco-friendly options when it comes to buildings, transportation, etc. San Diego is an excellent start if you want to move and start caring for the environment more. However, as California is one of the most expensive US states, the cost of living in San Diego is expectedly higher than average. In fact, it’s as much as 50% higher than the US average.

On the other hand, the crime rates are low, the weather is beautiful, and the job market is thriving. You can expect to find some great employment options after the move. And you will also have excellent long distance movers San Diego at your disposal. Moving sustainably is possible here!

Washington, D.C.

Washington DC is not only one of top America’s green cities, but it’s also one of the greenest cities in the world! Although the cost of living in the capital Washington DC is notoriously high, 51% above the national average to be exact, the city has excellent amenities and plenty of sustainable living options with a tendency to turn completely green in the future. The job market in Washington DC is known to be among the top in the country, so it’s no wonder why professionals and entrepreneurs are moving here in large numbers. Although the unemployment rate in DC is slightly higher than the US average, so is the median income. That means that making a decent living will not be an issue after moving here.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is one of the greenest cities in America for multiple reasons. The city was ranked the third-best USA city when it comes to air quality back in 2009, and it has remained in the top cities with the cleanest air ever since. Seattle also has numerous parks and green spaces, and on top of that, they plan to restore 2,500 acres of forest parkland by 2025. The city is also thoroughly devoted to energy conservation, as well as sustainable energy production. Some of the best Seattle long distance moving companies use sustainable and recyclable moving supplies! Although the cost of living in Seattle is 57% higher than the national average, so is the median income. Seattle is one of the cities with the most appealing job markets, which is why the unemployment rates are constantly below the national average.

Austin, Texas

Austin is one of the leading US cities when it comes to sustainability. The local environmental organizations make an effort to improve the city’s carbon footprint, encouraging the residents and businesses to use more renewable energy sources. The best Austin long distance moving companies also tend to work more sustainably, using recyclable and renting reusable moving supplies. The cost of living in Austin is slightly above the national average. But, it’s only 7% more expensive than average, which is negligible if you’ve been living in other major US cities. Austin is also known for its stable job market, so the unemployment rates are usually below the national average.

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison is the second largest and second most populous city in Wisconsin, but it’s a leader when it comes to sustainability. One of the greenest cities in the United States, Madison is a highly walkable and bikeable city. That means the traffic jams are reduced to a minimum, as well as air pollution. Long distance moving companies Madison boasts will help you move sustainably with ease. One of the best things about Madison is that it’s not too expensive, and the median income is above average. Madison also has great schools for your children. You don’t have to worry about your kids’ education quality.

Denver, Colorado

Although the cost of living in Denver is 16% higher than the national average, the city’s sustainability program is one of the best in the country. You will have plenty of chances to live eco-friendly, from using renewable energy sources to having access to plenty of nature. In fact, Denver has over 200 parks and 14,000 acres of mountain parks. You will be able to breathe clean, fresh air and enjoy the lush greenery of nature around you. While more and more cities are making an effort to become greener, there aren’t many cities that do it, just like Denver. Long distance movers in Denver are also working more sustainably! Here you will also have access to hybrid taxis. With two national leaders in hybrid vehicle services, Yellow Cab and Metro Taxi, you will not feel guilty about not walking or biking somewhere if you’re in a rush.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston has been ranked as one of the greenest cities in the USA and one of the 50 most sustainable cities in the world. In fact, Boston has been named the third greenest city in America, following San Francisco and Portland. One of the main cons of living in this sustainable US city is the cost of living. With the cost of living 57% higher than the national average, it’s clear why not everyone will find the city appealing. However, Boston remains the most populous city in Massachusetts. The Boston long distance moving companies are making an effort towards being more sustainable and reducing excessive plastic and cardboard waste, using recyclable and reusable materials more and more.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is another city making a conscious effort to be more sustainable, and it’s very successful at it! With a Sustainable Action Agenda, the city offers numerous eco-friendly public transportation options, green-city initiatives, and energy-effective buildings. Like most other cities on the list, Chicago is also expensive. Living in Chicago is 11% more expensive than the national average. However, if you’re into green living, you will enjoy moving to Chicago. You will notice differences everywhere. Even the long distance moving companies Chicago offers do business with the utmost care for our planet.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

The beautiful nature, lakes, biking and hiking trails galore, and many sustainability initiatives are what make Minneapolis one of the greenest cities in the country. You will not lack green spaces to spend time outdoors doing your favorite activities if you choose to move to Minneapolis. On the contrary, you will even feel motivated to start if you haven’t already! The residents of this city are very conscious about making a difference in caring for the environment. And if you’re worried that Minneapolis is too expensive for you – no need to worry! The cost of living in Minneapolis is only 6% higher than the national average.

Choose one of America’s top green cities for your next home and enjoy

As you can see, our country is rich in green cities. And there are many more that are becoming more sustainable every day. If you choose to live more sustainably and want to move to one of top America’s green cities, you will have plenty of great choices. While most major US cities are expensive to live in, they are also usually the most progressive when it comes to the environment. Enjoy moving to the city of your dreams, and take eco-friendly living to another level!