Want to get a leg up on all of your healthy efforts? Consider relocating to a small-sized city that makes it a little bit easier to improve your health.
Forget everything you thought you knew about the best small cities to improve your health in the U.S. Does your mind go straight to California, what with its green smoothies and yoga-bodied locals? We thought so, but we’ve got news.
Nary a single California city made the top 10, much less any locale west of the Appalachians. According to our calculations, the best places to get ahold of your health are on the East Coast, with the majority settled in the Deep South, which also happens to be a great place to pay less for healthcare. That’s right, home of sweet tea, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy — and also four out of five of America’s most overweight cities. Hmmm. Maybe there’s a bigger need for these health-promoting outposts in the South? Food for thought.
Finding the best small cities for healthy living
So, what’re the criteria for landing on the list of the 10 best small cities to improve your health? First, you need to have a population of less than 100,000. Then we looked at the number of health clubs, health/diet food retailers, vitamin and supplement stores, weight control services, nutritionists and yoga studios per 10,000 people to come up with a per capita ranking.
Here are the small cities that tipped the scales in favor of healthy living.
10. Rockville, MD
Located just north of Washington, D.C., and less than an hour south of Baltimore, Rockville is anchored by its Town Square, where you’ll find restaurants, shops and a grassy lawn that turns into an ice-skating rink in the winter.
You know what else you’ll find? Gyms and lots of them — 33 total for a population of 68,000. At that rate, you’ll never have to wait for a turn on the elliptical.
Rents are a little pricey, which is no surprise considering you’re just a half-hour away (or a $9.50 train ride) from the nation’s capital. Expect to pay $1,712 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in Rockville.
9. Wilmington, DE
Located across the Delaware River from New Jersey, Wilmington is a stone’s throw from Philadelphia. But don’t get distracted by the lure of those gooey cheesesteaks. You’re here for your health, remember? You’ll want to skip the crab cakes and craft breweries, too. Sigh!
The good news? There are plenty of parks and gorgeous gardens to stroll through, so racking up your steps should be super easy. You’ll also have easy access to plenty of vitamin shops (14) and ample weight control services to keep you on track.
Unfortunately, average rent prices are jumping in the country’s second-smallest state, but living in Wilmington is still relatively affordable. A one-bedroom will set you back $1,083 a month.
8. Bradenton, FL
Think of the eighth spot on our top 10 list as the gateway to the South. From here on out, we won’t veer from the region as we make our way to the top spot. As for Bradenton, this small Gulf Coast city is located south of Tampa Bay and north of Sarasota — not a bad place to be if you’re keen on white sand beaches and crystal blue waters.
In addition to the Riverwalk hugging the coast, you’ll find the quaint Village of the Arts chock full of galleries, shops and studios. There are also plenty of purveyors of health foods, vitamins and supplements around these parts.
Ready to settle into the Gulf Coast life? A one-bedroom apartment in Bradenton will cost around $1,130 monthly on average.
7. Alpharetta, GA
Located north of Atlanta, this suburban city is full of parks, green space and trails to inspire you to get moving. In addition to all that natural beauty, Alpharetta is also home to an impressive array of tech companies for a city of its size — there’s a reason it’s calling itself the Technology City of the South.
Apparently, tech execs frequent the gym between brainstorming sessions about the next big tech breakthrough. You’ll find no fewer than 33 gyms for the city’s 66,000 residents, along with plenty of shops to stock up on protein shakes, detox teas and superfood supplements.
You can take advantage of all that Alpharetta has to offer for around $1,416 a month.
6. Fort Myers, FL
Located on the Caloosahatchee River (try saying that three times fast) not far from the edge of the Everglades, this South Florida city is an easy jaunt to popular Sanibel Island, which is known for its shell beaches. All that Florida sun must inspire a healthy lifestyle as Fort Myers is home to a whopping 20 vitamin and supplement shops (the most in our top 10).
Too hot to stroll those white sandy beaches? Not to worry, you’ll also have access to 33 gyms, which appears to be a popular number of fitness outposts on our top 10. Will those warm Gulf waters help you improve your health? Maybe, but feeling like you’re on vacation year-round should certainly improve your mental health.
The cost to call the Sunshine State home? Here in Fort Myers, a one-bedroom will cost you $1,149 a month.
5. Greenville, SC
The solitary South Carolina city on our top 10, this charming spot nestled in the Appalachian foothills is halfway between the higher profile Southern cities of Atlanta and Charlotte. Greenville boasts ample scenic green spaces, and downtown is no exception.
Falls Park features 32-acres of lawns and gardens, and a 355-foot cantilevered pedestrian bridge overlooking a scenic 40-foot waterfall. Since you’re on a health kick, you’ll want to bypass the South Carolina barbecue and famed 16-inch funnel cakes (sorry). Focus instead on Paris Mountain State Park, and it’s miles of multi-use trails winding around picturesque lakes and hills.
Ready to settle in to this scenic Southern enclave? Expect to pay around $1,000 for a one-bedroom in Greenville, a relative bargain compared to nearby Atlanta and Charlotte prices.
4. Boca Raton, FL
Located north of Miami, Boca Raton is best known for its beaches, golf courses and parks — not a bad place to get outside and move your body if you don’t mind a little humidity. Don’t worry, there are plenty of places with air condition to work out, as well, including an impressive 44 gyms. Build up an appetite from all that bodywork? Stock up on healthy eats at one of 14 health food stores.
While you’ll find some of the country’s toniest gated neighborhoods here in Boca, you don’t necessarily have to pull in six figures to set up shop in these parts (though it wouldn’t hurt). Expect to spend around $1,922 each month for an average entry-level one-bedroom apartment.
3. Pensacola, FL
Did we mention that Florida small cities occupy five of the top 10 spots when it comes to the best cities for improving your health? Unlike its South Florida cohorts, Pensacola is situated on the westernmost edge of the Florida panhandle, just east of the Alabama border and just three hours from New Orleans. And yes, it’s still hot.
Whether you want to spend your time beach-combing, diving for shipwrecks or honky-tonking at the notorious Flora-Bama beach bar, you’ll find plenty of ways to soak up that endless sunshine. You’ll also find ample resources to help you lose weight. Pensacola features the most weight-control centers among our top 10, with 14 for its 52,000 residents.
So, how do rent prices here stack up to Florida cities elsewhere on our list? A one-bedroom apartment in Pensacola costs around $943 a month, the most affordable on our top 10 list.
2. Marietta, GA
Not unlike Alpharetta, Marietta is another Atlanta suburb located north of the city, though this one will get you slightly closer to the ATL. Downtown’s historic Marietta Square is home to a grassy picnic area and fountain, plus restaurants, antique shops and a bit of Civil War history. Nearby, you’ll find the “Gone with the Wind” museum, celebrating Atlanta-native Margaret Mitchell.
A popular city for families, Marietta is also home to all the resources you need to get serious about improving your health, including 40 gyms and an impressive per capita of both vitamin shops and weight-control centers. Fortunately, you won’t break the bank paying for rent in Marietta. You can find a one-bedroom apartment for around $1,031 a month on average.
1. Sarasota, FL
Florida’s southern neighbor to No. 8 Bradenton, Sarasota is a gateway to some of the state’s most picturesque beaches. How do you feel about sugary white sand? Turquoise waters? You’re in luck. Sarasota is the jumping off point for Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Lido Key, three neighboring barrier islands that stand between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. But you’re here for the health-promoting amenities, right?
In that case, you’ll find no fewer than 46 gyms, 14 health food stores, 18 vitamin shops and a whole lot more, making this America’s best small city for improving your health. Hey, it takes a lot of effort to keep up that beach bod year-round.
So, how much can you expect to pay in rent for all that coastal wellness? A one-bedroom apartment will cost you $1,314 each month.
Small cities with the most health options
If you’ve got your heart set on living somewhere other than the Deep South, keep reading. Here are the country’s top small cities for health-focused amenities, regardless of population or per capita.
| Rank | City | State | Population | Total establishments | Per Capita (10K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarasota | FL | 57,738 | 88 | 15.24 |
| 2 | Marietta | GA | 60,806 | 71 | 11.68 |
| 3 | Pensacola | FL | 52,713 | 57 | 10.81 |
| 4 | Boca Raton | FL | 99,244 | 93 | 9.37 |
| 5 | Greenville | SC | 68,563 | 64 | 9.33 |
| 6 | Fort Myers | FL | 82,254 | 76 | 9.24 |
| 7 | Alpharetta | GA | 66,255 | 58 | 8.75 |
| 8 | Bradenton | FL | 57,644 | 44 | 7.63 |
| 9 | Wilmington | DE | 70,635 | 53 | 7.50 |
| 10 | Rockville | MD | 68,268 | 49 | 7.18 |
| 11 | Palm Desert | CA | 53,185 | 38 | 7.14 |
| 12 | Missoula | MT | 74,428 | 50 | 6.72 |
| 13 | Lancaster | PA | 59,420 | 39 | 6.56 |
| 14 | Doral | FL | 61,824 | 38 | 6.15 |
| 15 | Ocala | FL | 60,429 | 37 | 6.12 |
| 16 | Santa Monica | CA | 91,411 | 52 | 5.69 |
| 17 | Coral Gables | FL | 50,999 | 28 | 5.49 |
| 18 | Walnut Creek | CA | 69,825 | 38 | 5.44 |
| 19 | Franklin | TN | 80,914 | 44 | 5.44 |
| 20 | Summerville | SC | 51,692 | 28 | 5.42 |
| 21 | Newport Beach | CA | 85,326 | 46 | 5.39 |
| 22 | Santa Fe | NM | 84,612 | 44 | 5.20 |
| 23 | Palm Beach Gardens | FL | 56,284 | 29 | 5.15 |
| 24 | Asheville | NC | 92,452 | 46 | 4.98 |
| 25 | Jupiter | FL | 65,524 | 32 | 4.88 |
| 26 | San Rafael | CA | 58,704 | 28 | 4.77 |
| 27 | Lake Charles | LA | 78,001 | 35 | 4.49 |
| 28 | Jackson | TN | 66,903 | 30 | 4.48 |
| 29 | Gaithersburg | MD | 68,289 | 30 | 4.39 |
| 30 | Olympia | WA | 52,555 | 23 | 4.38 |
| 31 | Santa Cruz | CA | 64,725 | 28 | 4.33 |
| 32 | Folsom | CA | 79,022 | 34 | 4.30 |
| 33 | White Plains | NY | 58,111 | 25 | 4.30 |
| 34 | Arcadia | CA | 58,610 | 25 | 4.27 |
| 35 | Saint Charles | MO | 70,764 | 30 | 4.24 |
| 36 | Eau Claire | WI | 68,866 | 29 | 4.21 |
| 37 | West Des Moines | IA | 66,641 | 28 | 4.20 |
| 38 | Santa Barbara | CA | 91,350 | 38 | 4.16 |
| 39 | Appleton | WI | 74,526 | 31 | 4.16 |
| 40 | Redmond | WA | 67,678 | 28 | 4.14 |
| 41 | Tustin | CA | 79,795 | 33 | 4.14 |
| 42 | Troy | MI | 84,272 | 34 | 4.03 |
| 43 | Mount Pleasant | SC | 89,338 | 36 | 4.03 |
| 44 | Frederick | MD | 72,146 | 29 | 4.02 |
| 45 | Redondo Beach | CA | 67,412 | 27 | 4.01 |
| 46 | Melbourne | FL | 82,826 | 33 | 3.98 |
| 47 | Encinitas | CA | 62,904 | 25 | 3.97 |
| 48 | Edmond | OK | 93,127 | 37 | 3.97 |
| 49 | Dothan | AL | 68,247 | 27 | 3.96 |
| 50 | Leesburg | VA | 53,917 | 21 | 3.89 |
The best big cities for healthy living
If you need a few more people around, here are the 25 best large cities for healthy living. Florida is still topping the list.
| Rank | City | State | Population | Total establishments | Per Capita (10K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando | FL | 285,713 | 178 | 6.23 |
| 2 | Miami | FL | 470,914 | 278 | 5.90 |
| 3 | Baton Rouge | LA | 221,599 | 115 | 5.19 |
| 4 | West Palm Beach | FL | 111,398 | 56 | 5.03 |
| 5 | Columbia | SC | 133,451 | 66 | 4.95 |
| 6 | Costa Mesa | CA | 113,615 | 56 | 4.93 |
| 7 | Lafayette | LA | 126,143 | 62 | 4.92 |
| 8 | Clearwater | FL | 116,478 | 55 | 4.72 |
| 9 | Atlanta | GA | 498,044 | 230 | 4.62 |
| 10 | Fort Lauderdale | FL | 182,595 | 84 | 4.60 |
| 11 | Scottsdale | AZ | 255,310 | 117 | 4.58 |
| 12 | Carlsbad | CA | 115,877 | 52 | 4.49 |
| 13 | Wilmington | NC | 122,607 | 53 | 4.32 |
| 14 | Rochester | NY | 206,284 | 89 | 4.31 |
| 15 | Saint Louis | MO | 302,838 | 130 | 4.29 |
| 16 | Ann Arbor | MI | 121,890 | 51 | 4.18 |
| 17 | Knoxville | TN | 187,500 | 78 | 4.16 |
| 18 | Pittsburgh | PA | 301,048 | 125 | 4.15 |
| 19 | Vancouver | WA | 183,012 | 73 | 3.99 |
| 20 | Boulder | CO | 107,353 | 41 | 3.82 |
| 21 | Tampa | FL | 392,890 | 149 | 3.79 |
| 22 | Ventura | CA | 111,128 | 42 | 3.78 |
| 23 | Lakeland | FL | 110,516 | 41 | 3.71 |
| 24 | Alexandria | VA | 160,530 | 59 | 3.68 |
| 25 | Salt Lake City | UT | 200,591 | 73 | 3.64 |
Cities with the most overall health options
Let’s throw the population out for second and just focus on the overall number of healthy living options. And no surprise, the list here is highlighted by some of the largest cities in the country.
| Rank | City | State | Population | Total establishments | Per Capita (10K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | NY | 8,398,748 | 587 | 0.70 |
| 2 | Houston | TX | 2,325,502 | 468 | 2.01 |
| 3 | Los Angeles | CA | 3,990,456 | 337 | 0.84 |
| 4 | Chicago | IL | 2,705,994 | 293 | 1.08 |
| 5 | Miami | FL | 470,914 | 278 | 5.90 |
| 6 | San Diego | CA | 1,425,976 | 273 | 1.91 |
| 7 | San Antonio | TX | 1,532,233 | 256 | 1.67 |
| 8 | Atlanta | GA | 498,044 | 230 | 4.62 |
| 9 | Las Vegas | NV | 644,644 | 229 | 3.55 |
| 10 | Dallas | TX | 1,345,047 | 216 | 1.61 |
Methodology
To determine the best small cities for improving your health, we looked at every city in the U.S. with a population between 50,000 and 100,000 according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 population estimates and added up the total number of health clubs, health/diet food retailers, vitamin and supplement stores, weight control services, nutritionists and yoga studios. From there, we divided the total number of health-related establishments by the total population to give us a list of cities with the most businesses per person. To standardize this ranking for cities of different sizes, we multiplied that number by 10,000 to determine the number of establishments per 10,000 people. The cities with the highest per capita ratio were deemed to be the best small cities for improving your health in our quantitative report.
Total health establishment counts are from a database of 8 million commercially available business listings. These listings may not reflect recent openings or closings.
The rent information included in this article is based on average entry-level January 2020 one-bedroom multifamily rental property unit inventory on Apartment Guide and Rent. and is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
