From Utah to California to North Carolina, Redfin ranked the 10 most neighborly places in the U.S. where residents socialize and neighbors lend each other a helping hand

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2026-- Salt Lake City is the most neighborly city in the United States this year, according to a new report from Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket. 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.

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Redfin's 10 most neighborly cities in America, 2026

Redfin analyzed multiple factors for the most populous U.S. cities, including rates of citizens who report community involvement, volunteering and helping neighbors. City rankings are based on data from a city’s greater metro area. The cities are:

1. Salt Lake City, UT
2. Portland, OR
3. Kansas City, MO
4. Denver, CO
5. Nashville, TN
6. Atlanta, GA
7. San Diego, CA
8. Austin, TX
9. Raleigh, NC
10. Tampa, FL

“Neighborhoods influence everything from the opportunities you have to the relationships you build,” said Redfin Chief of Real Estate Services Jason Aleem. “Finding the right fit can change your day‑to‑day life. That’s why Redfin’s home search experience brings together everything you need to understand a home and its surrounding community, and why our agents take the time to learn what matters most to each client.”

Rocket and Redfin unveiled a teaser yesterday for their upcoming advertising campaign, featuring Lady Gaga performing “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” — the beloved theme song from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The new commercial will debut during the Big Game on February 8, marking Redfin’s first national appearance on football's biggest night in the company’s 20-year history.

Most Neighborly Cities of 2026

1. S alt Lake City, UT
M edian 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)

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.

"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)

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.

“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

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)

Denver has a strong sense of community, with high rankings in socialization and charitable giving.

“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)

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)

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)

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)

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
  

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)

To view the full report, including graphics and a full methodology, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/news/most-neighborly-cities-2026

About Redfin

Redfin is a technology-driven real estate company with the country's most-visited real estate brokerage website. As part of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), Redfin is creating an integrated homeownership platform from search to close to make the dream of homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone. Redfin’s clients can see homes first with on-demand tours, easily apply for a home loan with Rocket Mortgage, and save thousands in fees while working with a top local agent.

You can find more information about Redfin and get the latest housing market data and research at https://www.redfin.com/news. For more information about Rocket Companies, visit https://www.rocketcompanies.com.

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Contact Redfin
Redfin Journalist Services:
Angela Cherry
press@redfin.com

Source: Redfin