With National Homeless Animals Day approaching – observed annually on the third Saturday of August – and over 94 million U.S. pet-owning households projected to spend $157 billion this year on their animal companions, the personal finance website WalletHub released an in-depth report on 2025’s Most Pet-Friendly Cities, as well as expert commentary.
In order to determine where Americans’ animal companions can enjoy the best quality of life without breaking the bank, WalletHub compared the creature-friendliness of the 100 largest cities across 23 key metrics. The data set ranges from minimum pet-care provider rate per visit to pet businesses per capita to walkability.
Most Pet-Friendly Cities
Scottsdale, Arizona was rated as the most pet-friendly city, coming in at number one. Tampa, Florida was number two, followed by Cincinnati, OH; Las Vegas, NV; Portland, OR; St. Louis, MO; Orlando, FL; Birmingham, AL; Lexington-Fayette, KY; and, rounding out the top 10, Austin, Texas.
Least Pet-Friendly Cities
The 10 least pet-friendly cities, based on the study, were Chicago, Illinois at number 91; followed by Detroit, MI; Chula Vista, CA; Durham, NC; New York, NY; Fresno, CA; Milwaukee, WI; Stockton, CA, Boston, MA; and at number 100, last on the list, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Key Stats
Corpus Christi, Texas, has the lowest average veterinary care costs (annual exam), which is 2.3 times lower than in Washington, DC, the city with the highest.
Fort Wayne, Indiana, has the lowest monthly dog-insurance premium, which is 3.3 times lower than in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, the cities with the highest.
Scottsdale, Arizona, has the most pet businesses (per square root of the population), which is 8.2 times more than in Newark, New Jersey, the city with the fewest.
“The most pet-friendly cities aren’t just those where it’s cheapest to own an animal and take care of its health, although cost is definitely a major consideration. Many factors contribute to a good environment for pets, from the availability of vets and pet-friendly stores to the prevalence of parks and how walkable each city is,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst. “Scottsdale is the most pet-friendly city in America, boasting an extremely high number of pet businesses and dog-friendly shops per capita. In addition, nearly 98 percent of rental listings in Scottsdale allow pets, one of the highest percentages in the country. If you have a pet that needs to spend time outside, nearly 27 percent of Scottsdale is parkland and the city has the third-best weather in America, though summers can get quite hot.”
To view the full report, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/most-pet-friendly-cities/5562
Expert Commentary
What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank?
“The first thing I would suggest is adopting a pet from a local shelter. These pets are almost always fully vaccinated and spay/neutered when you adopt them, so much of the upfront veterinary cost is already completed (and adoption fees are usually quite minimal). Then buy quality food, though it doesn’t have to be the extremely expensive food. Quality food will cut down on veterinary bills as your pet goes through life. I often supplement my dogs’ food with leftovers (make sure they are dog safe first!). Dogs spent most of their history eating our foods! So my dogs get leftover rice, vegetables, fruits, pasta, etc... I’m a vegetarian, but I’ll occasionally buy some chicken or ground turkey to add to the mix for them.”
Dr. Laura Hobgood – Professor; Chair of Religion and Environmental Studies, Southwestern University
“Pet ownership can be expensive, and understanding the long-term financial commitment needed to ensure the pet’s health and well-being is a critical component in any decision to welcome an animal into a home. Aside from the initial adoption or purchase fee, owners must consider the predictable long-term costs of food, veterinary care, housing, and other supplies. Ownership costs can vary widely depending on the type of pet, so choosing the right pet from the right place can make a significant difference. Adopting a dog or cat from a shelter or rescue organization, for example, makes good financial sense because the adoption fees are significantly lower than those charged by a breeder. Further, animals receive proper vaccinations and basic medical treatment before adoption, which can decrease the initial cost of adopting an animal. Selecting a pet that requires less space, or a modest appetite can also reduce the long-term costs of pet ownership.”
Eric V. Hull – Professor, Nova Southeastern University
What are the main reasons why some pet owners skip veterinary care?
“The main reason I hear is cost. And as, sadly, more and more veterinary offices are purchased by corporate interests, finding a locally owned veterinary clinic (usually owned by the vet themself) is most difficult to find. If you can, those costs will likely be lower! Sometimes people also skip veterinary care because they just get too busy and forget, which isn’t a good excuse at all.”
Dr. Laura Hobgood – Professor; Chair of Religion and Environmental Studies, Southwestern University
“According to a 2025 Gallup poll, pet owners who skip veterinary treatment for their pets do so primarily due to the prohibitive cost. For others in remote areas, veterinary care deserts limit access to veterinary care. Lack of transportation, fear of condemnation, language barriers, and lack of knowledge of where to go also contribute to an individual’s failure to provide veterinary care for their pet.”
Eric V. Hull – Professor, Nova Southeastern University
What measures can local authorities take to make their cities more pet friendly?
“The first thing I would say is to support that local animal shelter! Much of the personality of a pet community starts there. But also, to put in place ordinances that enhance the lives of pets (and their owners). For example, a no tethering ordinance (for dogs) so that dogs won’t end up on a chain stuck in a yard (that eventually can lead to an aggressive dog). For cats, ordinances that ban declawing except for medical purposes (those are few and far between). Also, ordinances that allow restaurants/pubs/other public places to have a designated pet-friendly area. The other thing is just education about how to behave in public with your pets. So, the city can provide ample supplies of clean-up stations for dogs, keeping the environment clean from pet waste makes all of the residents happier.”
Dr. Laura Hobgood – Professor; Chair of Religion and Environmental Studies, Southwestern University
“In addition to increasing access to housing, public accommodations, veterinary care, supplies, and outdoor play … cities can take the following broader steps to make their places more pet friendly. First, cities should include pets in natural disaster planning … Second, cities should add additional green space to urban areas … Third, cities can petition their state legislatures to enact more pet protective ordinances that ensure pet safety … Fourth, cities can become more pet friendly by working with state legislatures to enact laws that ban breed-specific discrimination … Cities can become more pet friendly by working with state lawmakers to develop policies that balance the legitimate interests in promoting safety and reducing insurance risks with the legitimate interests of responsible pet owners in having equal access to insurance and housing.”
Eric V. Hull – Professor, Nova Southeastern University
