Cities With the Greenest Commutes

by Sabrina Perry

Using data from the American Community Survey, the experts at FindTheHome discovered the 50 best cities with the greenest commutes.

A majority of Americans, 59 percent, believe that stricter environmental regulations are worth the cost, according to Pew Research Center. These environmental beliefs don't stop most people from driving alone to work, however. Not only does this harm the environment with CO2 emissions, but it contributes to traffic congestion and longer commute times. Taking public transportation, carpooling, walking and biking are easy ways to lessen your carbon footprint, and people in some cities do so much more than others.

Using data from the American Community Survey, the analysts at FindTheHome looked at cities larger than 50,000 people and discovered the 50 cities with the greenest commutes. These cities have the highest percentages of workers over 16 years old who take public transportation, carpool, walk or bike to work.

Given that environmental attitudes and political leanings are often related, state party affiliation tends to correlate with certain environmental views.

Of the 50 cities listed, 41 reside in Democratic-leaning states, according to Gallup polls. Six of which are in California and 13 in New Jersey -- two stereotypically blue states. Of the nine remaining cities, one lies in a Republican-leaning state and the other eight are in competitive states (those that don't lean one way or another).

Note: Though it may seem that some cities are tied in terms of percentage of "Green Commuters" (those who take public transportation, carpool, walk or bike to work), they are not. These percentages have been rounded to the nearest tenth.

50. Camden, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 34.5%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 13.5%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.3%
Percent Walking to Work: 5.8%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 14.9%
Population: 77,294

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

49. Paterson, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 34.8%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 12.3%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 4.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 18.1%
Population: 146,341

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

48. Lakewood, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 34.9%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 3.2%
Percent Biking to Work: 1.2%
Percent Walking to Work: 9%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 21.5%
Population: 51,944

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

47. Bloomington, IN

Percent of Green Commuters: 35.1%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 6.6%
Percent Biking to Work: 4.9%
Percent Walking to Work: 14.7%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 8.9%
Population: 81,963

Political Leaning of State: Republican

46. Huntington Park, CA

Percent of Green Commuters: 35.2%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 13.4%
Percent Biking to Work: 1.4%
Percent Walking to Work: 5%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 15.4%
Population: 58,787

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

45. Boulder, CO

Percent of Green Commuters: 35.2%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 9%
Percent Biking to Work: 10.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 10.1%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 6%
Population: 102,002

Political Leaning of State: Competitive

44. Miami Beach, FL

Percent of Green Commuters: 35.3%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 10.4%
Percent Biking to Work: 5.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 12.9%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 6.9%
Population: 90,669

Political Leaning of State: Competitive

43. Baltimore, MD

Percent of Green Commuters: 35.5%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 18.2%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.8%
Percent Walking to Work: 6.7%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 9.8%
Population: 622,271

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

42. Ann Arbor, MI

Percent of Green Commuters: 35.7%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 10.4%
Percent Biking to Work: 4.6%
Percent Walking to Work: 14.7%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 6.1%
Population: 115,985

Political Leaning of State: Competitive

41. Urban Honolulu, HI

Percent of Green Commuters: 35.9%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 12.5%
Percent Biking to Work: 1.9%
Percent Walking to Work: 8.7%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 12.8%
Population: 345,130

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

40. New Rochelle, NY

Percent of Green Commuters: 36.1%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 20.7%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 7.1%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 8.2%
Population: 78,476

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

39. Daly City, CA

Percent of Green Commuters: 36.4%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 20.4%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.2%
Percent Walking to Work: 2.6%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 13.3%
Population: 103,897

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

38. Quincy, MA

Percent of Green Commuters: 36.8%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 26.2%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 2.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 8.2%
Population: 92,920

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

37. Reading, PA

Percent of Green Commuters: 36.9%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 8.7%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.4%
Percent Walking to Work: 7.7%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 20%
Population: 88,051

Political Leaning of State: Competitive

36. New Haven, CT

Percent of Green Commuters: 37.3%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 12.4%
Percent Biking to Work: 2.8%
Percent Walking to Work: 12.8%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 9.3%
Population: 130,553

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

35. Mount Vernon, NY

Percent of Green Commuters: 37.4%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 24.4%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 6.2%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 6.8%
Population: 67,962

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

34. Oakland, CA

Percent of Green Commuters: 37.5%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 19.1%
Percent Biking to Work: 2.9%
Percent Walking to Work: 4.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 11.2%
Population: 402,339

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

33. Trenton, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 37.5%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 12%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.5%
Percent Walking to Work: 4.4%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 20.6%
Population: 84,459

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

32. White Plains, NY

Percent of Green Commuters: 37.9%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 20.8%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.5%
Percent Walking to Work: 9.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 7.4%
Population: 57,505

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

31. East Orange, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 38%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 23.2%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 5.8%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 8.9%
Population: 64,538

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

30. Iowa City, IA

Percent of Green Commuters: 38.5%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 9.6%
Percent Biking to Work: 3.9%
Percent Walking to Work: 16.4%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 8.6%
Population: 70,597

Political Leaning of State: Competitive

29. Revere, MA

Percent of Green Commuters: 38.8%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 26.6%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 2.8%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 9.2%
Population: 53,258

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

28. Hartford, CT

Percent of Green Commuters: 39.1%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 17.4%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.7%
Percent Walking to Work: 7.6%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 13.4%
Population: 125,211

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

27. Davis, CA

Percent of Green Commuters: 39.3%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 6.1%
Percent Biking to Work: 21.9%
Percent Walking to Work: 3.7%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 7.6%
Population: 66,093

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

26. Arlington, VA

Percent of Green Commuters: 39.4%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 27%
Percent Biking to Work: 1.5%
Percent Walking to Work: 5.1%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 5.8%
Population: 220,173

Political Leaning of State: Competitive

25. Pittsburgh, PA

Percent of Green Commuters: 39.4%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 16.9%
Percent Biking to Work: 1.8%
Percent Walking to Work: 10.9%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 9.9%
Population: 306,045

Political Leaning of State: Competitive

24. Yonkers, NY

Percent of Green Commuters: 40.9%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 26.3%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 5%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 9.6%
Population: 198,654

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

23. Seattle, WA

Percent of Green Commuters: 41%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 19.6%
Percent Biking to Work: 3.7%
Percent Walking to Work: 9.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 8.4%
Population: 637,850

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

22. Bayonne, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 41.2%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 23.1%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 8%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 10%
Population: 64,763

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

21. New Brunswick, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 41.7%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 10.8%
Percent Biking to Work: 1.3%
Percent Walking to Work: 14%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 15.7%
Population: 55,804

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

20. Silver Spring, MD

Percent of Green Commuters: 42.6%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 27.9%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.6%
Percent Walking to Work: 3.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 10.8%
Population: 75,748

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

19. Evanston, IL

Percent of Green Commuters: 43.5%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 21.6%
Percent Biking to Work: 3.5%
Percent Walking to Work: 12.5%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 6%
Population: 75,282

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

18. Passaic, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 43.7%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 18.5%
Percent Biking to Work: 1.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 6.1%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 18.1%
Population: 70,651

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

17. Hempstead, NY

Percent of Green Commuters: 44%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 24.9%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.4%
Percent Walking to Work: 4.7%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 14%
Population: 54,801

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

16. Chicago, IL

Percent of Green Commuters: 44.2%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 27.2%
Percent Biking to Work: 1.4%
Percent Walking to Work: 6.7%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 8.9%
Population: 2,712,608

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

15. Philadelphia, PA

Percent of Green Commuters: 45.7%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 26.5%
Percent Biking to Work: 2%
Percent Walking to Work: 8.5%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 8.8%
Population: 1,546,920

Political Leaning of State: Competitive

14. Malden, MA

Percent of Green Commuters: 46.2%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 30.4%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.6%
Percent Walking to Work: 3.4%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 11.8%
Population: 60,309

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

13. Newark, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 48.7%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 26.8%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.4%
Percent Walking to Work: 8.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 13.3%
Population: 278,750

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

12. Brookline, MA

Percent of Green Commuters: 52.2%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 26.7%
Percent Biking to Work: 4.1%
Percent Walking to Work: 15.8%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 5.5%
Population: 59,016

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

11. Berkeley, CA

Percent of Green Commuters: 52.7%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 20.8%
Percent Biking to Work: 8.5%
Percent Walking to Work: 16.2%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 7.1%
Population: 115,688

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

10. San Francisco, CA

Percent of Green Commuters: 54.5%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 32.9%
Percent Biking to Work: 3.8%
Percent Walking to Work: 10.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 7.5%
Population: 829,072

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

9. Somerville, MA

Percent of Green Commuters: 54.8%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 30.5%
Percent Biking to Work: 5.3%
Percent Walking to Work: 11.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 7.7%
Population: 77,560

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

8. Boston, MA

Percent of Green Commuters: 56.3%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 33.3%
Percent Biking to Work: 1.9%
Percent Walking to Work: 14.7%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 6.4%
Population: 639,594

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

7. Washington D.C.

Percent of Green Commuters: 60.1%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 38%
Percent Biking to Work: 3.9%
Percent Walking to Work: 12.4%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 5.8%
Population: 633,736

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

6. Cambridge, MA

Percent of Green Commuters: 63.1%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 27.7%
Percent Biking to Work: 6.9%
Percent Walking to Work: 24.5%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 4%
Population: 106,844

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

5. Jersey City, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 63.3%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 47.5%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.4%
Percent Walking to Work: 8.3%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 7.1%
Population: 255,861

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

4. West New York, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 65.9%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 43.4%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.6%
Percent Walking to Work: 11.6%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 10.3%
Population: 51,511

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

3. Union City, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 65.9%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 40.7%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.4%
Percent Walking to Work: 13%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 11.8%
Population: 68,001

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

2. Hoboken, NJ

Percent of Green Commuters: 66.9%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 55.1%
Percent Biking to Work: 0.8%
Percent Walking to Work: 8.1%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 2.9%
Population: 51,979

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

1. New York City, NY

Percent of Green Commuters: 72.1%
Percent Taking Public Transportation to Work: 56.2%
Percent Biking to Work: 1%
Percent Walking to Work: 10.1%
Percent Carpooling to Work: 4.8%
Population: 8,354,889

Political Leaning of State: Democratic

 

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