Salt Lake City has officially been named the most neighborly city in the United States for 2026, topping Redfin’s annual ranking thanks to its strong community spirit, high volunteerism rates, and active civic engagement.
In a report released by real estate brokerage Redfin on January 28th, Salt Lake City, Utah, emerged as the clear leader among metro areas recognized for fostering deep social connections, community support, and neighborly behavior. The ranking analyzed major U.S. cities based on factors such as volunteering rates, charitable giving, social clubs per capita, and how often neighbors help one another.
Highlights:
- Salt Lake City ranked #1 in Redfin’s 2026 neighborliness report.
- 43% of residents volunteered in the past year—the highest rate nationwide.
- Affordable housing, tight-knit neighborhoods, and civic pride drive strong community ties.
- Sugar House and The Avenues stand out as especially community-focused areas.
- Redfin used civic, social, and housing data to assess U.S. cities.
High Volunteerism, Deep Community Ties
Salt Lake City took the No. 1 spot largely due to its remarkably high share of residents who actively volunteer and engage in civic activities. According to the data, 43% of Salt Lake City residents volunteered over the past year, the highest percentage among all cities surveyed. Additionally, 44% reported helping a neighbor at least once per month, placing it among the top three cities in this metric…