How livable is your community?
The AARP Livability Index scores neighborhoods and communities across the U.S. for the services and amenities that impact you the most.
Explore your community today.
Top Scoring Communities
See how the top-performing communities across the U.S. are meeting the current and future needs of all residents.
Large Cities
Population: 500,000 +
San Francisco, CA
Overall Livability Score: 65
New York, NY
Overall Livability Score: 63
Washington, DC
Overall Livability Score: 63
Mid-Sized Cities
Population: 100,000 to 499,999
Alexandria, VA
Overall Livability Score: 67
Cambridge, MA
Overall Livability Score: 67
Arlington, VA
Overall Livability Score: 67
Small Cities
Population: 25,000 to 99,999
St. Louis Park, MN
Overall Livability Score: 66
Watertown, MA
Overall Livability Score: 66
Belmont, MA
Overall Livability Score: 65
Small Towns
Population: 5,000 to 24,999
Aspen, CO
Overall Livability Score: 72
Los Alamos, NM
Overall Livability Score: 71
Great Neck Plaza, NY
Overall Livability Score: 71
What is
Livability?
People of all ages deserve to thrive in their communities over the course of their lives. To evaluate this we look at the intersection of housing, neighborhood convenience, environment, transportation, security, and opportunity within any given community to measure just how well those factors serve its population.
AARP, under the guidance of a diverse expert panel, has identified key elements to measure and clearly define livability. They are:
- Housing
Affordability and access
- Neighborhood
Proximity and Security
- Transportation
Safety and Convenience
- Environment
Clean Air and Water
- Engagement
Civic and Social Involvement
- Health
Prevention, Access and Quality
- Opportunity
Inclusion and Possibilities
What Goes into a Score?
The AARP Livability Index is created from more than 50 unique sources of data across the seven livability categories. Using these metrics and policies, the AARP Livability Index scores communities by looking at how livable each neighborhood is within the community.
Watch this Video for More on the AARP Livability Index
How Can I Improve Livability in My Community?
Discover the ways you can make an impact with resources across all 7 Livability Index Categories
Make the Best Choices for Livability for You and Your Community
Join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities to take action and use our reports and guidebooks to inform your livability decisions.
Which Older Adults Have Access to America’s Most Livable Neighborhoods? An Analysis of the AARP Livability Index
Who has access to the most livable communities—the places that score high on the AARP Livability Index? This report, combines what the AARP Livability Index tells us about neighborhoods with what the American Community Survey tells us about who lives there.
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The AARP Livability Index 2018: Transforming Communities for All Ages
This report provides a look at the AARP Livability Index, an interactive online tool, and shares some of its findings.
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Future of Housing
Under the Future of Housing Initiative we are developing strategies to address the senior housing crisis and make all of our communities affordable and welcoming for people regardless of age, background, circumstance, or physical ability.
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AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities
The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities serves as a catalyst to educate local leaders (both elected officials and engaged residents) and encourage them to implement the types of changes that make communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults.
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Where We Live: Communities for All Ages
The Where We Live series from AARP highlights inspiring ideas and solutions from America"s local leaders to improve their communities, respond to pressing issues, and build partnerships.
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AARP Community Challenge
The AARP Community Challenge grant program helps communities make immediate improvements and jump-start long-term progress in support of residents of all ages.
Read MoreConnect with the AARP Public Policy Institute
The AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) is a trusted resource that advances innovative, equitable, evidenced-based and actionable solutions that empower people to choose how they live as they age.
Our solutions are adopted in policies and practices that improve people’s lives. Read more
Connect with us and join the conversation.