Pets

The most dog friendly cities in America

Written by:
Dolphin Sharma
April 3, 2018
photravel_ru // Shutterstock

The most dog friendly cities in America

Good dogs are beloved for their loyalty, cuteness, and friendliness. Keeping your dog happy is essential to maintaining those lovable qualities. We know that dogs love to be tickled and petted by humans, but what else contributes to a happy dog world? Affectionate dogs need a happy environment that will make it easy for their owner to take care of them.

Ideal cities for dogs need a little more than just patches of green grass in a tiny backyard. To appear more welcoming to dog owners, cities need dog accessibility and high quality of life for dog owners. A combination of a happy dog and a happy owner earns a high dog-friendliness score. Stacker used SmartAsset's report to analyze six key factors that make up the best dog-friendly cities in America:

- Number of dogs parks

- Number of dog-friendly shopping centers

- Number of dog-friendly restaurants

- Easiness of walking dog outside

- Has best weather for dog walking

- Affordable housing for dog owners

The resulting list includes cities with thriving communities for dogs and their loving owners. Have more than one type of pet? Check out our most pet-friendly cities in America.

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#50. Henderson, NV

Dog-friendliness index: 43.99
Annual average precipitation: 14.19 days
Walk score: 29/100
Dog parks: 5.4 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 6
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $273,800

#49. Colorado Springs, CO

Dog-friendliness index: 44.99
Annual average precipitation: 50.61 days
Walk score: 35/100
Dog parks: 1.8 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 24
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $228,600

#48. Riverside, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 45.21
Annual average precipitation: 11.63 days
Walk score: 41/100
Dog parks: 1.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 10
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $317,600

#47. Atlanta, GA

Dog-friendliness index: 46.33
Annual average precipitation: 78.57 days
Walk score: 48/100
Dog parks: 0.9 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 97
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $241,200

#46. Saint Paul, MN

Dog-friendliness index: 46.66
Annual average precipitation: 61.95 days
Walk score: 58/100
Dog parks: 1.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 10
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $186,800

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#45. Norfolk, VA

Dog-friendliness index: 47.77
Annual average precipitation: 74.91 days
Walk score: 45/100
Dog parks: 4.5 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 13
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $204,800

#44. New Orleans, LA

Dog-friendliness index: 50.00
Annual average precipitation: 76.01 days
Walk score: 57/100
Dog parks: 0.8 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 82
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $216,800

#43. San Antonio, TX

Dog-friendliness index: 50.22
Annual average precipitation: 46.69 days
Walk score: 36/100
Dog parks: 0.5 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 80
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $126,600

#42. Boise, ID

Dog-friendliness index: 50.45
Annual average precipitation: 39.81 days
Walk score: 39/100
Dog parks: 2.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 14
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $209,900

#41. Bakersfield, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 50.67
Annual average precipitation: 23.68 days
Walk score: 36/100
Dog parks: 1.9 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 12
Dog shops: 2
Median home value: $237,600

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#40. Orlando, FL

Dog-friendliness index: 51.89
Annual average precipitation: 73.15 days
Walk score: 41/100
Dog parks: 0.4 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 134
Dog shops: 9
Median home value: $214,400

#39. Madison, WI

Dog-friendliness index: 52.90
Annual average precipitation: 67.71 days
Walk score: 48/100
Dog parks: 4.1 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 9
Dog shops: 2
Median home value: $222,800

#38. Chandler, AZ

Dog-friendliness index: 53.90
Annual average precipitation: 18.41 days
Walk score: 33/100
Dog parks: 1.6 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 30
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $273,600

#37. Chula Vista, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 54.23
Annual average precipitation: 28.09 days
Walk score: 41/100
Dog parks: 1.1 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 42
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $440,400

#36. Fresno, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 54.45
Annual average precipitation: 32.87 days
Walk score: 45/100
Dog parks: 1.2 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 18
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $203,700

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#35. San Jose, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 55.46
Annual average precipitation: 39.94 days
Walk score: 50/100
Dog parks: 1.0 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 51
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $717,100

#34. Jersey City, NJ

Dog-friendliness index: 55.57
Annual average precipitation: 77.82 days
Walk score: 87/100
Dog parks: 2.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 28
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $331,100

#33. Oakland, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 55.79
Annual average precipitation: 43.98 days
Walk score: 72/100
Dog parks: 0.7 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 51
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $557,000

#32. Cincinnati, OH

Dog-friendliness index: 56.01
Annual average precipitation: 79.59 days
Walk score: 50/100
Dog parks: 1.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 36
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $119,000

#31. Milwaukee, WI

Dog-friendliness index: 57.57
Annual average precipitation: 66.35 days
Walk score: 61/100
Dog parks: 0.5 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 24
Dog shops: 3
Median home value: $114,000

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#30. Miami, FL

Dog-friendliness index: 57.68
Annual average precipitation: 81.55 days
Walk score: 78/100
Dog parks: 0.7 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 179
Dog shops: 2
Median home value: $286,600

#29. Honolulu, HI

Dog-friendliness index: 59.02
Annual average precipitation: 34.77 days
Walk score: 63/100
Dog parks: 0.6 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 126
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $641,900

#27. Pittsburgh, PA

Dog-friendliness index: 60.47
Annual average precipitation: 80.32 days
Walk score: 61/100
Dog parks: 2.0 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 27
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $108,400

#27. Dallas, TX

Dog-friendliness index: 60.47
Annual average precipitation: 53.44 days
Walk score: 45/100
Dog parks: 0.4 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 101
Dog shops: 3
Median home value: $152,400

#26. Portland, OR

Dog-friendliness index: 61.14
Annual average precipitation: 115.89 days
Walk score: 64/100
Dog parks: 5.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 73
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $348,300

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#25. Seattle, WA

Dog-friendliness index: 65.14
Annual average precipitation: 107.78 days
Walk score: 73/100
Dog parks: 2.1 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 103
Dog shops: 2
Median home value: $530,900

#24. Boston, MA

Dog-friendliness index: 65.81
Annual average precipitation: 81.50 days
Walk score: 81/100
Dog parks: 1.1 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 65
Dog shops: 10
Median home value: $453,000

#23. Glendale, AZ

Dog-friendliness index: 66.48
Annual average precipitation: 18.41 days
Walk score: 40/100
Dog parks: 1.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 12
Dog shops: 4
Median home value: $181,000

#22. Philadelphia, PA

Dog-friendliness index: 66.70
Annual average precipitation: 74.19 days
Walk score: 78/100
Dog parks: 0.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 111
Dog shops: 8
Median home value: $150,700

#21. Los Angeles, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 68.49
Annual average precipitation: 25.14 days
Walk score: 66/100
Dog parks: 0.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 136
Dog shops: 4
Median home value: $542,100

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#20. Houston, TX

Dog-friendliness index: 68.60
Annual average precipitation: 61.59 days
Walk score: 48/100
Dog parks: 0.7 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 129
Dog shops: 2
Median home value: $152,200

#19. Saint Petersburg, FL

Dog-friendliness index: 69.27
Annual average precipitation: 70.45 days
Walk score: 42/100
Dog parks: 2.4 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 58
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $170,000

#18. Minneapolis, MN

Dog-friendliness index: 70.16
Annual average precipitation: 56.96 days
Walk score: 68/100
Dog parks: 1.7 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 46
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $227,500

#17. Saint Louis, MO

Dog-friendliness index: 71.27
Annual average precipitation: 68.61 days
Walk score: 64/100
Dog parks: 1.6 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 35
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $130,800

#16. Tampa, FL

Dog-friendliness index: 71.49
Annual average precipitation: 71.83 days
Walk score: 49/100
Dog parks: 3.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 64
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $189,800

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#15. Washington, DC

Dog-friendliness index: 71.83
Annual average precipitation: 75.98 days
Walk score: 66/100
Dog parks: 1.7 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 111
Dog shops: 3
Median home value: $551,300

#14. Arlington, VA

Dog-friendliness index: 73.72
Annual average precipitation: 75.95 days
Walk score: 68/100
Dog parks: 3.5 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 110
Dog shops: 2
Median home value: $655,000

#13. Long Beach, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 77.62
Annual average precipitation: 25.14 days
Walk score: 69/100
Dog parks: 1.9 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 45
Dog shops: 0
Median home value: $483,700

#12. Austin, TX

Dog-friendliness index: 77.95
Annual average precipitation: 50.36 days
Walk score: 39/100
Dog parks: 1.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 166
Dog shops: 7
Median home value: $282,700

#11. Scottsdale, AZ

Dog-friendliness index: 78.62
Annual average precipitation: 18.41 days
Walk score: 32/100
Dog parks: 1.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 117
Dog shops: 17
Median home value: $434,700

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#10. Chicago, IL

Dog-friendliness index: 80.73
Annual average precipitation: 61.72 days
Walk score: 78/100
Dog parks: 0.8 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 130
Dog shops: 3
Median home value: $238,500

#9. Phoenix, AZ

Dog-friendliness index: 82.07
Annual average precipitation: 18.41 days
Walk score: 40/100
Dog parks: 0.6 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 158
Dog shops: 13
Median home value: $200,800

#8. Sacramento, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 83.18
Annual average precipitation: 39.65 days
Walk score: 46/100
Dog parks: 2.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 60
Dog shops: 3
Median home value: $287,300

#7. New York, NY

Dog-friendliness index: 84.19
Annual average precipitation: 75.96 days
Walk score: 89/100
Dog parks: 1.5 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 179
Dog shops: 4
Median home value: $538,300

#6. Las Vegas, NV

Dog-friendliness index: 85.52
Annual average precipitation: 14.19 days
Walk score: 40/100
Dog parks: 4.2 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 43
Dog shops: 2
Median home value: $209,400

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#5. Denver, CO

Dog-friendliness index: 86.41
Annual average precipitation: 43.47 days
Walk score: 60/100
Dog parks: 1.4 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 81
Dog shops: 4
Median home value: $316,700

#4. San Diego, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 89.87
Annual average precipitation: 28.09 days
Walk score: 50/100
Dog parks: 1.1 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 200
Dog shops: 7
Median home value: $526,900

#3. Tucson, AZ

Dog-friendliness index: 90.09
Annual average precipitation: 22.70 days
Walk score: 41/100
Dog parks: 1.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 53
Dog shops: 4
Median home value: $139,400

#2. Albuquerque, NM

Dog-friendliness index: 90.65
Annual average precipitation: 27.97 days
Walk score: 42/100
Dog parks: 2.3 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 56
Dog shops: 3
Median home value: $189,200

#1. San Francisco, CA

Dog-friendliness index: 100.00
Annual average precipitation: 48.98 days
Walk score: 86/100
Dog parks: 3.4 per 100k residents
Dog restaurants: 171
Dog shops: 3
Median home value: $941,400

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