Rover and Redfin Ranked Top U.S. Cities for Dog Walking
A new guide identifies 107 U.S. cities best suited for dog owners based on walkability and trending breeds.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Dogs
Live Poll
Would you prioritize neighborhood walkability for your pet when choosing your next home?
Rover and Redfin have published a new study ranking 107 U.S. cities for dog walking, with San Francisco taking the top spot. The report evaluates urban areas based on walkability scores and regional pet ownership trends.
Why it matters
The guide aims to help pet parents select cities that best match their specific dog-walking needs and lifestyle preferences. By analyzing local walkability alongside popular breeds, it offers data-driven insights for owners evaluating their current or future homes.
San Francisco holds the top position with a Walk Score of 88.7, followed by New York City at 88.0. Newark showed notable growth in popularity for Basset Hounds, which saw an 826% year-over-year increase.
The players
Rover
Rover is a company that provides an online marketplace for pet care services, including dog walking and sitting.
Redfin
Redfin is a residential real estate brokerage that provides housing data and brokerage services to consumers.
The details
The report utilizes a Walk Score metric combined with user-submitted data to categorize cities into specific archetypes based on dog-walking ease. The Goldendoodle emerged as the most popular breed in six of the ten cities with the highest walkability scores.
Timeline
August 2026: Rover collected dog breed data for the study.
September 23, 2026: Rover and Redfin released the dog walking guide.
Culture Shift
The use of the Walk Score methodology reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing pedestrian-friendly urban living for all family members, including pets. This trend aligns with the growing demand for housing markets that cater to lifestyle-specific needs rather than just basic proximity to transit.
Dog owners can use these rankings to determine how their current neighborhood scores compared to other major cities. The report may also influence future purchasing or rental decisions for pet owners prioritizing walkable daily routines.
The takeaway
When choosing a location for your pet, consider both the walkability score and the local prevalence of your specific dog breed. These metrics provide a practical baseline for assessing which environments will best support your daily activity levels.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest trends in pet ownership and care in the Dogs section.
Live Poll
Would you prioritize neighborhood walkability for your pet when choosing your next home?
