What makes a city the healthiest in America? Health is determined by many environmental factors—not just your personal habits. Moderate weather encourages you to get outside, while plenty of parks and recreational opportunities make it easier to be physically active. Access to healthy food options lowers the barrier to nutritious eating, and a bustling social scene helps you build community—whether you’re a single young adult or raising a family.
Each of these factors is what boosted Berkeley, Calif. to the top of Niche’s list of 2025 healthiest places in America. Read more about what this Northern California city has to offer.
Desirable climate
It’s never too hot or cold in Berkeley. The summer only reaches highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s, while the winter highs are in the 60s and lows only get down to the 40s.
You’re also likely to see more sunshine than rain in Berkeley. It averages 256 sunny days per year and only 67 rainy days, while the rest of the U.S. averages 205 sunny days and 106 rainy days. With more sunny, temperate days, residents of Berkeley are likely to get out and move more than in other cities.
Plentiful parks and green spaces
Getting outside in Berkeley is made easy by the city’s more than 50 parks and dozens of green spaces—including nature reserves, wildlife environments and urban parks—which play a pivotal role in overall mental well-being. One study found that living in an area with plentiful green space is associated with less mental distress, anxiety, and depression, lower cortisol levels, and lower prevalence of disease.
Berkeley also hosts several adult sports leagues to make the most of those parks, including softball and volleyball—or you can reserve a pickleball court if that’s more your speed. For runners—beginner or experienced—the local Berkeley Run Club already has nearly 5,000 members and is welcoming people of all fitness levels and abilities.
Access to healthy food
Living in a food desert, or an area lacking access to affordable and nutritious food, can place people at greater risk of multiple chronic health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and mental health conditions according to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.
Residents of Berkeley, however, have several health food stores and farmer’s markets available to them. The city is also home to the Berkeley Food Network, a local nonprofit that works to bring healthy food to the most disenfranchised communities across Berkeley.
Perks for young professionals and families
Community is a core part of healthy living, and so is feeling like you and your family have a place you can flourish. Not only was Berkeley at the top of Niche’s healthiest cities list, but it also claimed the no. 7 spot on its list of Best Cities for Young Professionals, which was based on the number of millennial residents and access to jobs, affordable housing, and entertainment.
Additionally, Berkeley received top marks for its high median income of $108,558—over 25% more than the national median household income of $80,610. And families will find highly-rated public schools and numerous family-friendly activities, including camps and recreational sports leagues.
For more on healthy living:
- These are the 10 happiest cities in America, according to new research
- America’s happiest city: Over 1,000 acres of parks, average temperatures in the 60s, and a bustling economy
- Finland is the world’s happiest country yet again. Here are the top 10 on the list
- The Fortune 50 Best Places to Live will serve multigenerational families for the long haul
