From Utah to California to North Carolina, Redfin ranked the 10 most neighborly places in the U.S. Here are the top cities where residents socialize and neighbors lend each other a helping hand.
Salt Lake City is the most neighborly city in the United States this year. The Utah capital tops the list because residents help out their neighbors and prioritize volunteering in their daily lives, and it has a healthy pool of relatively affordable homes.
Next come Portland, OR and Kansas City, MO, both places where people are bonded with their neighbors. Here’s where to look if you need to borrow a cup of sugar.
This is according to a Redfin ranking of the most neighborly metro areas in the U.S. For this report, metro areas are referred to as “cities.” We ranked places by their “neighborliness” based on factors including volunteerism, helping neighbors and community involvement. Please see the end of this report for more details on methodology.
“Living in a close-knit community isn’t just about feeling welcome; it can shape your day-to-day quality of life,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “Neighbors who connect, help each other out and participate in local activities create a stronger sense of security, belonging and well-being. When cities are both affordable and neighborly it’s a win-win for residents: they enjoy a lower cost of living, and a better quality of life that is rich with human connection. Policymakers can foster neighborly cities by supporting dense, affordable housing that is built near community amenities like parks, playgrounds and libraries where local residents can get to know each other.”
1. Salt Lake City, UT
Median home-sale price: $544,000
Median home-sale price, YoY change: 3.7%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Volunteerism. Share of residents who volunteered in the last year: 43% (ranks #1 among the metros in this analysis)
- Lending a hand. Share of residents who help a neighbor at least once a month: 44% (ranks #3 among the metros in this analysis)
Neighborly neighborhoods: Sugar House, known for an accessible business district and locally owned businesses, and The Avenues, which has active neighborhood associations that organize block parties and clean-up days.
Utah’s capital earns the title of most neighborly city in America because it ranks highly for its residents’ volunteerism and community vibes. Community involvement is a hallmark of life in Salt Lake City, whether it’s through local charities, neighborhood cleanups or simply checking in on one another. One example: The Love Your Block initiative, in which neighbors collaborate on projects like murals, playground enhancements and tiny libraries. And on Salt Lake City community forums, many residents share stories about neighbors putting “Harvest Bags” of groceries on their porches during Halloween season, offering free food alongside candy.
“In Salt Lake, we build our lives and livelihoods around a shared passion for the place we call home,” said Daniel Lopez, a local Redfin Premier agent. “We have all chosen to live and work here for a reason, and that immediately unifies us as neighbors. We take out each other’s trash bins, we meet on the trails and the slopes, we fill our stadiums, and we host gatherings. We find fulfillment in giving back to our community.”
2. Portland, OR
Median home-sale price: $545,000
Median home-sale price, YoY change: 1.2%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Charitable giving. Share of residents who donated at least $25 to a charitable organization last year: 58% (ranks #3 among the metros in this analysis)
- Community dialogue. Share of residents who discuss civic, societal or local issues with neighbors at least once a month: 22% (ranks #4 among the metros in this analysis)
Neighborly neighborhoods: The Hawthorne District and Kenton, both known for their walkability.
Portland’s neighborly spirit shines through its active social networks and high ranking for charitable giving. Residents also enjoy supporting local businesses, participating in neighborhood projects and engaging in social clubs or communal gardens. Portland is home to one of the biggest clothing swaps in the Pacific Northwest, which fosters community connection by attracting hundreds of residents who trade clothes, free of charge. Rose City is also home to an organization that builds community-based micro-villages for people experiencing homelessness.
“Home prices have come down from their peak, and it’s a bit more affordable to buy here in Portland than it was a few years ago. But still, I’m seeing quite a few buyers team up with friends and family, partly to help cover costs and partly to live in a communal environment,” said local Redfin agent Meme Loggins. “This past fall, a client bought a three-bedroom home because he plans to have two roommates live with him, and I’ve also seen some adult children co-buying with their parents.”
3. Kansas City, MO
Median home-sale price: $337,473
Median home-sale price, YoY change: 3.4%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Lending a hand. Share of residents who help a neighbor at least once a month: 51% (ranks #1 among the metros in this analysis)
- Social organizations. Number of social clubs per capita: Ranks #3 among the metros in this analysis
Neighborly neighborhoods: Brookside, known for an annual art festival that draws residents from all over the city, and River Market, home to a year-round farmers market and various community festivals.
In Kansas City, neighbors are often quick to lend a hand to one another; it ranks highly in socialization and neighbors helping neighbors. The city stands out for its warm, friendly residents and community-oriented way of life.
“When I moved to Kansas City 10 years ago, I was surprised to see that most houses either don’t have fences or they just have a four-foot fence. I’ve come to see that as a symbol of our close-knit community,” said Jo Chavez, a local Redfin Premier agent. “One of my clients moved into a new neighborhood a few years ago. Two weeks after they moved in, I stopped by to follow up on a repair and their house was full of neighbor kids. They told me that on day one, a group of kids came over to say hi to their children, and since then, the group of kids had been a fixture in their backyard. Over the years, I’ve watched a lot of clients go from not knowing a soul in their new area to hosting football watch parties in their driveways and helping neighbors clean up their leaves.”
4. Denver, CO
Median home-sale price: $570,000
Median home-sale price, YoY change: -0.9%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Charitable giving. Share of residents who donated at least $25 to a charitable organization last year: 64% (ranks #1 among the metros in this analysis)
- Lending a hand. Share of residents who help a neighbor at least once a month: 49% (ranks #2 among the metros in this analysis)
Neighborly neighborhoods: Washington Park, home to the city’s biggest urban park and flower garden, and Park Hill, known for its local coffee shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques.
Denver has a strong sense of community, with high rankings in socialization and charitable giving. One example is a Denver-based nonprofit called A Little Help, which matches volunteers with older adults for rides, errands, social visits and snow shoveling, among other things. Homeowners and renters can also take advantage of the city’s Extreme Community Makeover movement, in which residents partner on projects like neighborhood cleanups and home improvement projects.
“When people think of Denver, they often picture great weather, hiking, and proximity to world-class skiing. But for those who live here, the Mile High City’s strong sense of community is just as compelling—especially for people looking for more than just a place to sleep,” said Tamara Mattox-Kabat, a local Redfin Premier agent. “This year, first-time buyers have a real opportunity to put down roots because there is more inventory and less investor activity, and we are in a buyer’s market. As rents continue to rise, some young Denverites are choosing to buy instead. For those planning to stay put for five to 10 years, homeownership may make more financial sense, while allowing them to build equity and establish long-term connections within a neighborhood.”
5. Nashville, TN
Median home-sale price: $463,000
Median home-sale price, YoY change: 0.7%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Community dialogue. Share of residents who discuss civic, societal or local issues with neighbors at least once a month: 28% (ranks #1 among the metros in this analysis)
- Volunteerism. Share of residents who volunteered in the last year: 37% (ranks #3 among the metros in this analysis)
Neighborly neighborhoods: Eastwood, known for walkability and easy access to parks, and Sylvan Park, with local eateries and a neighborhood association that organizes events.
The neighborly appeal of Nashville comes from its vibrant social culture and tight-knit communities, especially in residential neighborhoods where local events and music festivals bring people together.
6. Atlanta, GA
Median home-sale price: $385,000
Median home-sale price, YoY change: -2.3%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Local clubs. Number of civic organizations per capita: Ranks #3 among the metros in this analysis
- Volunteerism. Share of residents who volunteered in the last year: 29% (ranks #11 among the metros in this analysis)
Neighborly neighborhoods: Candler Park, known for local businesses and festivals, and Grant Park, home to community events like an annual summer festival and a farmers market.
Atlanta has long been known for its strong sense of community across diverse neighborhoods; one reason it ranks highly is the prevalence of social clubs and civic organizations. People who live in Atlanta frequently participate in volunteer activities.
7. San Diego, CA
Median home-sale price: $900,000
Median home-sale price, YoY change: 2.3%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Lending a hand. Share of residents who help a neighbor at least once a month: 34% (ranks #9 among the metros in this analysis)
- Community dialogue. Share of residents who discuss civic, societal or local issues with neighbors at least once a month: 18% (ranks #8 among the metros in this analysis)
Neighborly neighborhoods: University Heights, which has a strong sense of community through events like holiday parades and street fairs, and Point Loma, home to community centers and local events like a summer concert series.
The good life in San Diego goes beyond the beach: The coastal city is known for its friendly residents; it ranks highly partly because neighbors often help neighbors. San Diego neighborhoods are often tight-knit, with neighbors gathering at beaches, parks or community centers.
8. Austin, TX
Median home-sale price: $431,277
Median home-sale price, YoY change: -4.2%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Volunteerism. Share of residents who volunteered in the last year: 36% (ranks #6 among the metros in this analysis)
- Community dialogue. Share of residents who discuss civic, societal or local issues with neighbors at least once a month: 18% (ranks #9 among the metros in this analysis)
Neighborly neighborhoods: Mueller, which has walking trails and parks along with regular farmers markets, and Brentwood, home to lots of local shops and annual events.
In the Texas capital, neighborly culture thrives alongside its reputation as a creative hub. Residents often connect through volunteer work, neighborhood events and local music and arts festivals.
9. Raleigh, NC
Median home-sale price: $430,000
Median home-sale price, YoY change: -2.4%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Park proximity. Share of residents who live within half a mile of a park: 93% (ranks #1 among the metros in this analysis)
- Social organizations. Number of social clubs per capita: Ranks #5 among the metros in this analysis
Neighborly neighborhoods: Five Points, which has parks and shops within walking distance, and Mordecai, known for its community gardens and active neighborhood groups.
Raleigh combines Southern hospitality with the vibes of a modern, growing city. Residents build strong neighborly ties through school and community activities.
10. Tampa, FL
Median home-sale price: $385,000
Median home-sale price, YoY change: 1.3%
Select metrics that make the city neighborly
- Community dialogue. Share of residents who discuss civic, societal or local issues with neighbors at least once a month: 24% (ranks #2 among the metros in this analysis)
- Lending a hand. Share of residents who help a neighbor at least once a month: 36% (ranks #6 among the metros in this analysis)
Neighborly neighborhoods: Hyde Park, a walkable area known for shopping, dining
and farmers markets, and Seminole Heights, which has regular community events,
neighborhood gatherings and vibrant local businesses.
Tampa’s residents don’t just live side-by-side—they show up for one another. Service is woven into the city’s culture, whether folks are pitching in for community projects around Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, or jumping in to help neighbors during tough times.
Methodology
This is according to a Redfin ranking of the most neighborly U.S. metro areas (we call them “cities” in this report). Cities are deemed “neighborly” if they earn top scores in the criteria we selected. We looked at individual cities within each of the top 75 metro areas that meet baseline housing and population criteria, then ranked each city based on social and community factors. We then calculated how each metro ranks on average for each factor, and identified the metros with the highest average rank across all factors. Metrics listed above, such as the percent of residents volunteering or donating, represent the population-weighted average for the metro area among the cities that meet the baseline housing and population criteria.
Housing criteria (Redfin data): Affordable and active housing market (median single-family home priced no more than $500/sq. ft). As of December 2025.
Population stat from the U.S. Census:
- Population size (cities with at least 30,000 residents located in the top 75 metros)
Community and social engagement:
- Charitable giving, volunteering rates, and rates of working with, helping, meeting, or discussing issues with neighbors (Census Volunteering and Civic Life Survey)
- Social connections, access to parks, and membership in social associations (County Health Rankings and Roadmaps)
- Economic connectedness and civic organizations per capita (Social Capital Atlas)
- Overall community health (Social Capital Index)
The notable neighborhoods in this report are from Redfin’s AI-powered conversational search feature.
