The Most Neighborly Cities in the U.S.

At a time when we’re largely still tethered to our homes, the people surrounding us mean that much more. After all, Fred Rogers did once say, “All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors — in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.”

To celebrate that neighborly spirit today, which happens to be National Neighbor Day, self-storage company Neighbor.com released the results of its study on the most neighborly cities in the country. This study considered various factors such as volunteering, charitable giving, and neighborly acts, in addition to the number of nonprofits per 100,000 residents, happiness levels, and crime rates.

Top Rankings and Findings

Combining those elements, Madison, Wisconsin, emerged as the winner. “In Madison, many people spend free time volunteering, and many report doing kind acts for their neighbors — two things we think make a community more neighborly,” the report states. Madison also boasts a low crime rate, contributing to it being a safe, happy city with strong community bonds.

Rochester, New York, claimed the second position, having risen from its previous number 10 spot last year, while Portland, Oregon, landed in third, moving up from number five in 2020.

Neighborly Trends and Survey Insights

The study also uncovered neighborly trends through surveying 1,000 Americans. Interestingly, 79% of respondents performed at least one favor for a neighbor in the last year, and 62% noted they hang out with neighbors a few times a year at minimum. Moreover, 66% of individuals reported having at least two neighbors they can rely on for small favors, such as watering plants and picking up mail.

The pandemic has notably impacted neighborhood relations, as 42% of respondents stated they’re now more inclined to develop relationships with their neighbors.

List of the Most Neighborly Cities

Here are the 25 most neighborly cities in the U.S., according to Neighbor.com:

1. Madison, Wisconsin
2. Rochester, New York
3. Portland, Oregon
4. Minneapolis, Minnesota
5. Des Moines, Iowa
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Boston, Massachusetts
8. Seattle, Washington
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
11. Raleigh, North Carolina
12. San Jose, California
13. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
14. Grand Rapids, Michigan
15. Bridgeport, Connecticut
16. Salt Lake City, Utah
17. Spokane, Washington
18. Oxnard, California
19. Allentown, Pennsylvania
20. Indianapolis, Indiana
21. Colorado Springs, Colorado
22. Durham, North Carolina
23. Provo, Utah
24. Baltimore, Maryland
25. San Francisco, California