Multiple cities in the Bay Area and Northern California were named in WalletHub’s 2026 Greenest Cities in America list.
Oakland, San Jose and San Francisco were the top three cities on the list, respectively, while Fremont was placed seventh.
WalletHub’s ranking was composed of 100 cities in the U.S. compared on metrics of environment, transportation, energy sources, and lifestyle and policy.
Oakland has the second-lowest greenhouse gas emissions and the best air quality in the country, alongside the lowest light pollution levels in the country. The city also has the 30th-highest percentage of designated parkland among the 100 cities in WalletHub’s list with 12%.
In addition, Oakland has the 20th-most bicycle lanes and paths, a high number of community garden sites and farmers’ markets, and ranked 24th in most green job openings per capita.
San Jose boasts the fifth-highest number of solar panel installations per capita and the fifth-highest percentage of electricity coming from renewable sources at 50%.
San Jose also has the fourth-lowest Urban Heat Island Effect Index in the country, with the use of green energy in the city helping to keep it from being an excessively hot environment.
San Jose also bans plastic bags, has a bike-sharing program and employs many initiatives that promote the use of green energy.
San Francisco’s approach to locally sourced food helped it reach top three in WalletHub’s list. It leads the country in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) groups and community garden sites per capita. It also has the fourth-most farmers’ markets per capita.
Like San Jose, San Francisco gets more than 50% of its energy from renewable sources, the fifth-highest percentage in the country.
Residents’ water conservation efforts placed San Francisco at the ninth-lowest daily water consumption per capita in the country.
San Francisco also has the 13th-most alternative-fuel stations for vehicles and the 20th-most solar panel installations per capita. The city is also ranked fourth in transportation for the low percentage of commuters who drive to work by themselves.
While Fremont was seventh overall, the city was joint-ranked first for environment and energy sources.
The city issued a statement saying the ranking was the result of a strong commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preserving ample green space and advancements in renewable energy.
Stockton was ranked 27th in WalletHub’s 100 greenest cities list and joint-first in energy sources.