On this year’s Earth Day, Realtor.com released a list of the Top 10 U.S. Cities With the Best Eco-Friendly Commutes. The cities were chosen for their high rates of car-free commuters, strong public transit networks, and infrastructure that supports walking and biking. From Hoboken, New Jersey to Arlington, Virginia, these cities show that a well-designed urban environment can reduce our carbon footprint, improve quality of life, and drive up real estate value.
But as we scanned the list, one major U.S. city in the Caribbean was nowhere to be found: San Juan, Puerto Rico.
San Juan has the density, the culture, and the climate to be a national leader in eco-friendly commuting. So why isn’t it? And what would it take to get there?
Let’s first look at the top 10 eco-commute cities and why they’re leading the way:
The Top 10 Eco-Commute Cities in the U.S.
1. Hoboken, NJ
With nearly 80% of residents commuting without a car, Hoboken tops the list. Its compact 2-square-mile layout and direct access to NYC via PATH trains and ferries make car ownership unnecessary.
2. Cambridge, MA
Home to Harvard and MIT, Cambridge has committed to 25 miles of protected bike lanes by 2026 and offers direct subway access into Boston.
3. Brookline, MA
This Boston suburb scores high for walking and biking, thanks to the Green Line T service and a mix of residential and commercial areas that support local living.
4. Berkeley, CA
With access to BART, robust bus routes, and university-backed commuter programs, Berkeley is a West Coast standout.
5. Washington, DC
Nearly two-thirds of DC commuters go car-free thanks to a well-developed Metro system and eco-friendly bus fleet.
6. San Francisco, CA
Despite its steep hills, SF scores a perfect 10 in both walkability and transit-friendliness due to its dense layout and iconic transit systems like Muni and BART.
7. Somerville, MA
This dense Boston-area city invests heavily in transit accessibility and bicycle infrastructure.
8. Boston, MA
The Go Boston 2030 initiative is reimagining city streets to favor bikes and pedestrians while improving safety.
9. Seattle, WA
A growing light rail system, extensive bus network, and a bold Bicycle Master Plan help Seattle make the cut.
10. Arlington, VA
With its “urban village” strategy and proximity to DC, Arlington is a model of suburban sustainability.
What These Cities Have in Common
Despite their geographic differences, these cities share a few core attributes:
High-density housing close to job centers
Robust public transit systems (subway, light rail, or BRT)
Safe, well-maintained pedestrian and bike infrastructure
Zoning that supports mixed-use neighborhoods
Government policies that incentivize eco-friendly development
And here’s the catch: they’re expensive. Most of the cities on this list have median home prices well over $750,000, with some soaring above $1.5 million. The real estate market has clearly responded to the demand for green commuting options.
Why Isn’t San Juan on This List?
San Juan has the density and urban character of cities like Boston and Hoboken. It has warm weather year-round. It has a compact downtown, historic neighborhoods, and a vibrant cultural life.
But what it lacks is reliable infrastructure to support a car-free lifestyle.
Let’s break it down:
1. Public Transit is Limited and Underfunded
While the Tren Urbano light rail system exists, it covers only a limited area of the San Juan metro region. Bus service is often infrequent, unreliable, or under-publicized. Compared to DC or Boston, San Juan’s transit options simply don’t meet the needs of a modern commuter.
2. Cycling Infrastructure is Fragmented
There are pockets of San Juan with bike lanes, such as parts of Condado and Isla Verde, but there is no cohesive city-wide bike network. Biking in traffic can be hazardous, and few protected lanes exist to make cycling accessible for more than just the brave.
3. Walkability Varies Block to Block
Some areas, like Old San Juan, Santurce, and parts of Río Piedras, are highly walkable. But sidewalk infrastructure is inconsistent, and pedestrian safety is often compromised by poor maintenance or obstructed pathways.
4. Car Culture Still Dominates
Puerto Rico has one of the highest car ownership rates per capita in the U.S. Decades of car-centric development and sprawling suburbs have left many neighborhoods completely dependent on driving.
What San Juan Needs to Do to Join the List
If San Juan wants to become one of the top eco-commuting cities in the U.S., it will need a bold, multi-pronged approach:
✅ Expand Public Transit
Investing in the expansion of Tren Urbano and increasing the reliability and coverage of AMA buses is critical. A bus rapid transit (BRT) system, similar to what cities like Bogotá have used successfully, could be a game changer for corridors like Ponce de León or Avenida Roosevelt.
✅ Build a Connected Bicycle Network
San Juan should commit to a citywide grid of protected bike lanes—especially in flat, high-density neighborhoods. Incentives for e-bikes and public bike-share programs could accelerate adoption.
✅ Improve Sidewalks and Pedestrian Zones
Safe, continuous sidewalks are basic infrastructure. San Juan should prioritize sidewalk upgrades, enforce accessibility laws, and create pedestrian-only streets in key areas like Condado, Santurce, and Río Piedras.
✅ Embrace Mixed-Use Zoning and Urban Villages
Learn from Arlington, VA’s “urban village” model—focus development around transit hubs and allow for vertical growth and mixed-use buildings that combine housing, commerce, and services.
✅ Launch Green Commute Incentives
Offer transit passes, carpool lanes, and incentives to businesses that allow flexible or remote work. Partner with universities to subsidize student and faculty transit options, just like UC Berkeley does.
The Real Estate Opportunity
If San Juan can rise to the challenge, the real estate market will follow.
The Realtor.com article notes that properties in eco-friendly commuting cities are commanding premiums. Walkability and transit access are now major drivers of home values. In the long run, making San Juan a greener city isn’t just about sustainability—it’s also a smart economic investment.
Puerto Rico already offers year-round sunshine, historic charm, a rich cultural life, and beachfront beauty. Adding sustainable urban mobility would make it irresistible to a growing segment of buyers—especially those coming from high-priced markets like New York, Boston, or San Francisco.
At Paraiso Realty, We Believe in a Greener Puerto Rico
As a locally owned real estate company with over 20 years of experience living and working on the island, Paraiso Realty believes that how we build—and how we move—matters.
We support urban revitalization, walkable communities, and sustainable development that serves both residents and the environment.
The next generation of homebuyers is looking for more than a beautiful house. They want a livable neighborhood. A lower carbon footprint. A better quality of life.
We’re here for that.
Let’s build the kind of future where San Juan isn’t left off the next Realtor.com list—but proudly leading it.
Find Your Paraiso in Puerto Rico.