The 25 Most Pet-Friendly Cities in the U.S.

Between food, toys, and medical bills, owning a pet is a huge commitment. That commitment is even greater in parts of the country that are less accommodating to your furry family members. If you're looking to live in a city that's as welcoming to pets as your home is, check out this list.

To rank the most pet-friendly cities in 2021, WalletHub compared the largest metros in the U.S. across 23 criteria. Indicators of pet-friendliness include a high number of veterinarians and pet businesses per capita, affordable medical care, and walkability. The personal finance website pulled data from such sources as the U.S Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Yelp for its report.

Scottsdale, Arizona, was named the best city for pet owners in the country, earning an overall score of 63.28 out of 100. Though it didn't make the top 50 in the budget category, it made up for it by scoring No. 1 in health and wellness and No. 3 in outdoor pet-friendliness. Tampa, Florida, comes in second place with a rating of 62.25. It's followed by Orlando, Florida, with 62.2 points, and Las Vegas, Nevada, with 60.48. You can view the full list of the top cities for pets in the year 2021 below.

Once you've chosen a pet-friendly city to call home, the next step is finding the right housing situation. Hunting down an apartment that allows pets doesn't have to be an intimidating process. Here are some tips for finding a place that's right for you and your four-legged friend.

Scottsdale, Arizona
Tampa, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada
Birmingham, Alabama
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Petersburg, Florida
Cincinnati, Ohio
San Diego, California
New Orleans, Louisiana
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Atlanta, Georgia
Boise, Idaho
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Austin, Texas
Denver, Colorado
Seattle, Washington
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Portland, Oregon
Plano, Texas
Lincoln, Nebraska
Phoenix, Arizona
Miami, Florida
Omaha, Nebraska
Sacramento, California