We all know walking is good for us. While the old “10,000 steps” goal was never really based on science, studies have shown that generally speaking, the more you walk, the healthier you are. But the United States is a country custom-built for the car. While more than half of our trips outside the home are typically less than three miles roundtrip (and a quarter of all trips are less than a mile), a lot of us will choose to drive or take public transportation than walk. This has resulted in entire communities that are hard to walk around and inspired the very useful metric known as the Walk Score.
The Walk Score gives you a snapshot of how easy it is to live someplace without a car. A score of 100 means you can literally do everything on foot, a score of zero means you need a car to do just about everything. It’s a useful piece of data when you’re choosing where to live, but it actually impacts more than your own personal health. Here’s what you need to know about your community’s Walk Score.
A higher Walk Score means cleaner air
Gas-powered cars—even modern, efficient models—pump a lot of carbon dioxide (about 4.6 metric tons per car annually) and other pollutants into our air. Folks driving all over your town to do quick errands means they’re pumping that stuff into the air you breathe. A higher Walk Score translates into less driving, and that translates into cleaner air. And cleaner air means fewer respiratory diseases, higher quality of life, and a lower carbon footprint.
Property values increase with a higher Walk Score
There was once a time when suburban communities that required a car just to function were all the rage, but that’s been changing for decades—and the global pandemic may have been the final nail in its coffin. These days, higher Walk Scores equal higher property values because it’s seen as a “luxury” amenity—an increase of a single point in your home’s Walk Score can mean thousands of dollars in increased value.
This is meaningful if you’re buying a new property, of course, because your prospective neighborhood’s Walk Score might affect any future sale price if you decide to move. But it also means that working to increase your community’s Walk Score for your existing home can lift your property values, giving you more equity while living a healthier lifestyle.
Car expenses go down
Owning a car, as you may have noticed, is expensive—and getting more expensive all the time. The average new car price set a record in 2022 at $48,681, while used cars aren’t even that much cheaper at an average price of $27,564. And even if you already own a car, you’re probably spending close to $10,000 a year to fuel and maintain it—and that doesn’t count unexpected repairs.
A high Walk Score means you don’t have to drive as much. This reduces your fuel expenses and the wear and tear on the vehicle that leads to more repair bills. And if your Walk Score is high enough, you could even get rid of your car entirely (or downsize a two-car household into a one-car household), turning that depreciating asset into cash in your pocket without missing a beat.
Quality of life goes up
It’s simple: Walkable communities are happier. You get to meet your neighbors in an organic, relaxed way; you interact with local businesses and community leaders regularly; and you feel less isolated. Also, apparently your children will be better off financially, which could work out well for you, too. This benefits you directly, but also indirectly—your neighbors will be more likely to volunteer or to be engaged in local issues. It’s also a lot easier to throw a party when everyone can simply walk down to your house instead of having to fire up Google Maps and worry about finding a parking spot.