2026 Pedestrian Safety Rankings: The Safest and Most Dangerous U.S. Cities

The freedom to walk through a city safely is far from guaranteed. In some places, pedestrian-focused infrastructure makes getting around on foot easier and more secure. In others, vehicle-first street design can make even an ordinary walk dangerous.

That contrast affects daily life for residents and visitors alike. Comfortable, supportive shoes can improve the experience, but safe sidewalks, crossings, and traffic conditions actually make the experience possible.

For our 2026 rankings, we examined pedestrian fatality data and Walk Scores for 35 major U.S. cities. The findings reveal which cities are moving pedestrian safety forward and which are falling dangerously behind.

The Safest Cities for Pedestrians in 2026

Fewer pedestrian fatalities and stronger walkability sent these 10 cities to the top. These final rankings reveal where people on foot have the greatest safety advantage.

This year’s top 10 stretch from coast to coast, but the Northeast holds a noticeable advantage for the second year in a row. Boston takes the #1 spot, while New York and Philadelphia also finish among the top four. The Midwest follows with three cities in the top six: Louisville, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

Milwaukee delivers another standout performance, recording the lowest pedestrian fatality rate for the second consecutive year. Its rate dropped slightly from 0.93 to 0.92 deaths per 100,000 people, with Boston finishing close behind.

Washington, D.C., Louisville, and San Francisco have both the highest Walk Scores and the highest pedestrian fatality rates among the top 10, illustrating the complex relationship between walkability and safety.

The Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians in 2026

At the other end of the rankings are the cities where walking carries the greatest risk. These 10 places posted the weakest overall results, revealing where dangerous streets and car-focused infrastructure are putting pedestrians in harm’s way.

A clear geographic pattern emerges at the bottom of the rankings: all 10 cities are located in the South or Southwest. The Southwest alone claims half the list, pointing to the continued pedestrian safety challenges facing these largely car-dependent parts of the country.

Albuquerque once again ranks as the most dangerous city for pedestrians. Although its fatality rate improved from 4.68 to 4.41 deaths per 100,000 people, it remains nearly five times higher than Milwaukee’s nation-leading low. Arizona is once again represented by Phoenix, Mesa, and Tucson in the bottom 10, with all three cities recording higher fatality rates than last year.

Walkability remains another common concern. Walk Score measures how easily people can reach errands and amenities on foot, with lower scores signaling greater car dependence. Charlotte, Jacksonville, and Nashville receive the lowest Walk Scores in the bottom 10, further illustrating how limited walkability and higher pedestrian risk often appear together.

Complete Rankings: The Safest and Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians

Now it’s time to see the full picture. Explore how all 35 cities in our analysis rank for pedestrian safety and find out where your city stands.

Safety Tips for Sharing the Road

Safer streets depend on everyone who uses them. Small, intentional choices from drivers and pedestrians can reduce risks and help prevent serious injuries.

The following recommendations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can help everyone travel more safely.

Driving Safety Tips:

• Look out for pedestrians everywhere. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at intersections, near crosswalks, or in neighborhoods where people are likely to be walking.
• Slow down and prepare to stop at crosswalks. Use extra caution when turning or approaching marked crossings. Come to a full stop and allow others to do the same.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. It may be stopping for someone you can’t see.
• Follow the speed limit, especially in school zones and neighborhoods. Speeding reduces your ability to stop quickly and increases the severity of a crash if one happens.

Walking Safety Tips:

• Use sidewalks whenever available. If there’s no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and stay as far from moving vehicles as possible.
• Cross at crosswalks or intersections. Always look left, right, and left again, and be extra alert for cars turning in either direction.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways. Stay alert in parking lots and residential areas, where vehicles may be backing up or pulling out unexpectedly.
• Follow the rules of the road. Obey signs and signals, and always assume drivers may not see you.

Methodology and Sources

To create our 2026 rankings, we analyzed metro areas with populations over 500,000 as of 2022.

We used the latest pedestrian fatality data from the Governors Highway Safety Association’s 2024 preliminary report and paired it with each city’s Walk Score—a metric that reflects walkability based on access to amenities, population density, and street design.

Cities were scored out of 50 for fatality rates and out of 50 for walkability. These were combined into a total pedestrian safety score out of 100.

We also included safety tips based on guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

About Us

At KURU, we’re on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve sold over 3 million pairs and received more than 49,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them with foot pain conditions (such as plantar fasciitis) and got them back to doing what they love.

For all media inquiries, please contact us at pr@kurufootwear.com.