These Are the Most Dog-Friendly Cities in the U.S. in 2026
Americans love their dogs. Scratch that—we adore them. They’re our coworkers, our hiking buddies, our emotional support squad. And we’re not the only ones who’ve noticed. Across the country, more cities are stepping up to create a better life for people and their pups.
That got us thinking: which places are actually the best for living life with a dog? So we looked at a variety of factors, from dog ownership to walkability, to find the most dog-friendly cities in the country this year. Whether you’re curious about dogs per capita by city or searching for the ultimate pup paradise, these places rise to the top.
Get ready to explore the places where tails are wagging, water bowls are waiting, and life is just a little more canine-approved.
Meet This Year’s Most Dog-Friendly Cities
When it comes to building a great life with your pup, a few key factors make all the difference. That’s exactly what we explored when we reviewed major cities across the U.S.
We considered things like how easy it is to get to a park, how much sunshine you can expect in a typical year, and how interested people are in dog-walking based on Google search trends. We also included local walkability and dog ownership rates to round out the picture.
With everything tallied, we gave each city a score out of 100, revealing the places that go the extra mile for your next walk, adventure, or game of fetch. Here are the cities that scored best for life with a dog:
1. Los Angeles, CA
With a glowing 284 sunny days per year and a strong ParkScore® of 88, Los Angeles kicks off our list as a top-tier city for pup-friendly living. While it doesn’t lead in walkability, the combination of sunshine and green space gives Angelenos plenty of options to stretch their legs with their four-legged companions.
2. Long Beach, CA
Boasting the most sunshine on our list at 287 days, Long Beach shines bright for dog owners. With a high Walk Score of 73 and a strong rate of dog ownership, this coastal city offers that sweet spot of urban access and relaxed, walkable charm.
3. Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City stands out with the highest dog-walking search interest of any city on our list. That curiosity pairs well with a strong ParkScore® of 75 and one of the highest dog ownership rates, making it a vibrant place for pups and their people to explore.
4. Fresno, CA
While Fresno's Walk Score is one of the lowest on our list, its incredible ParkScore® of 98 more than makes up for it. Combine that with 271 sunny days per year, and you have a city where getting outside with your dog feels almost effortless.
5. Oakland, CA
With a Walk Score of 75 and a comfortable climate, Oakland is made for easy, breezy strolls. It may not score the highest on park access, but its compact layout and coastal weather make it a standout for daily dog walks.
6. Mesa, AZ
Mesa earns one of the highest ParkScore®s in the country at 96 and boasts a whopping 301 sunny days annually. Despite a lower Walk Score, this desert city makes up for it with expansive green space and year-round opportunities for outdoor adventures.
7. Bakersfield, CA
With a strong ParkScore® of 89 and 272 sunny days each year, Bakersfield offers plenty of room to roam. It ranks low in walkability, but for dog owners who love a good park outing, this Central California city delivers.
8. San Francisco, CA
San Francisco earns the highest Walk Score on our list at 89, making it a walker’s dream. While it doesn't lead in park access, its compact, hilly layout and mild weather make for some seriously scenic strolls.
9. Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix shines with 299 sunny days and a ParkScore® of 85. Though its Walk Score is on the lower side, the sheer volume of sunny, park-filled days makes it a go-to for pups who love the outdoors.
10. Miami, FL
With a high Walk Score of 77 and year-round warmth, Miami makes walking with your dog a breeze. It has fewer parks than some of its peers, but what it lacks in green space, it makes up for in vibrant street life and beachside energy.
11. Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City boasts one of the highest dog ownership rates on our list at 65%, and it pairs that with a solid ParkScore® of 94. While walkability is limited, the strong sense of community and access to green space give it serious dog-loving credentials.
12. Philadelphia, PA
Philly combines a solid Walk Score of 75 with one of the highest dog ownership rates in the Northeast. Park access is limited, but its dense, walkable neighborhoods offer plenty of opportunities for pups to get their steps in.
13. Indianapolis, IN
Topping the list for dog ownership at 69%, Indianapolis is clearly a city of pet lovers. While it has one of the lowest Walk Scores, its impressive ParkScore® of 95 helps make outdoor time with your dog feel accessible and enjoyable.
14. Tucson, AZ
Tucson blends 286 sunny days with a ParkScore® of 75, offering a warm, laid-back environment for daily dog walks. It doesn’t rank highest in walkability, but its desert beauty and strong dog ownership culture keep tails wagging.
15. Colorado Springs, CO
With high marks for dog ownership and one of the strongest dog-walking search interest scores, Colorado Springs rounds out our list as a place where pet parents are actively engaged. While walkability is modest, the city’s scenery and community vibe make it a standout for dog lovers.
The Full Data
| Rank | City | Dog Ownership % | Dog-Walking Interest* | Walk Score | ParkScore® | Avg. Sunny Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | 57 | 66 | 69 | 88 | 284 |
| 2 | Long Beach, CA | 57 | 66 | 73 | 61 | 287 |
| 3 | Salt Lake City, UT | 59 | 82 | 59 | 75 | 222 |
| 4 | Fresno, CA | 57 | 66 | 47 | 98 | 271 |
| 5 | Oakland, CA | 57 | 66 | 75 | 52 | 261 |
| 6 | Mesa, AZ | 58 | 49 | 38 | 96 | 301 |
| 7 | Bakersfield, CA | 57 | 66 | 37 | 89 | 272 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | 57 | 66 | 89 | 7 | 259 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | 58 | 49 | 41 | 85 | 299 |
| 10 | Miami, FL | 56 | 56 | 77 | 36 | 248 |
| 11 | Oklahoma City, OK | 65 | 43 | 34 | 94 | 231 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | 61 | 56 | 75 | 32 | 207 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | 69 | 45 | 31 | 95 | 186 |
| 14 | Tucson, AZ | 58 | 49 | 43 | 75 | 286 |
| 15 | Colorado Springs, CO | 65 | 76 | 36 | 55 | 243 |
Trends and Takeaways From the Rankings
A few patterns stood out from this year’s rankings. California leads the pack with six cities in the top 15, thanks to a strong mix of sunshine, walkability, and park access. Arizona also performed well, with cities like Mesa and Phoenix offering abundant sun and high ParkScore®s. It’s clear that climate plays a big role in creating dog-friendly environments.
Cities with lower Walk Scores, such as Indianapolis and Oklahoma City, still ranked high due to excellent access to parks. Even without dense urban walkability, green space helps support an active lifestyle for dogs and their people.
Salt Lake City topped the list for dog-walking search interest, showing just how engaged its residents are with pup-friendly living. Meanwhile, several Midwestern cities, including Indianapolis and Oklahoma City, showed especially high rates of dog ownership, reinforcing their strong pet-loving culture.
In the end, dog-friendly cities aren’t defined by just one factor. The best places blend access, community, and a lifestyle that makes getting outside with your pup feel easy and rewarding.
Methodology and Sources
Methodology
To pinpoint the most dog-friendly cities in the U.S. for 2026, KURU Footwear evaluated major cities across the country using a weighted scoring system designed to reflect real-life dog-walking conditions.
Each city was scored across five key data points, with the following weights:
- Dog ownership percentage (30%) based on state-level data applied to each city within that state
- Dog-walking search interest (10%) measured using Google Trends to reflect how often people are looking for dog-walking information
- Walk Score (25%) measuring how easy it is to navigate a city on foot
- ParkScore® (25%) provided by Trust for Public Land, assessing access to parks and green space
- Average annual sunny days (10%) reflecting how often the weather supports outdoor activity year-round
All data was normalized to a 100-point scale before weights were applied. The final scores represent how well each city supports a walkable, active lifestyle for dogs and the people who love them.
Sources
- United States Census Bureau, State Populations
- Walk Score
- ParkScore®, Trust for Public Land
- BestPlaces.com (number of sunny days per year)
- AMVA Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, Pet Ownership Rates by State
About Us
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