San Jose has been named the second 'greenest city' in the nation, according to a recent WalletHub report released last month. The city earned an overall score of 70.20 out of 100, ranking just below Oakland, which took first place, and ahead of San Francisco, which secured third. This recognition places San Jose among the top cities across the country for environmental sustainability efforts.
The 2026 WalletHub report compared the 100 most populous U.S. cities using 28 different metrics. These metrics covered a range of categories including environmental quality, transportation, energy sources, lifestyle, and public policy. Key factors assessed by the report included greenhouse gas emissions, air and water quality, residents' access to green space, the use of renewable energy, and how frequently residents rely on personal cars for travel.
A significant contributor to San Jose's high ranking is its strong embrace of renewable energy sources. According to WalletHub, more than half of the city's electricity is generated from renewable sources. Furthermore, San Jose ranks among the nation's leaders in per-capita solar panel installations, indicating a substantial commitment to clean energy at the individual and community level.
Oakland, which placed first with a score of 70.83, was noted for its air quality and low greenhouse gas emissions. The East Bay city also benefits from a robust network of parks, community gardens, farmers' markets, and bicycle infrastructure, which provide residents with multiple ways to engage with their surroundings without needing a car. San Francisco, with a score of 69.94, also derives over half of its energy from renewable sources and received high marks for its community gardens, farmers' markets, and the number of commuters who carpool.
Beyond the Bay Area, other California cities also featured prominently in the national rankings. San Diego secured the sixth position, while Fremont and Irvine ranked seventh and eighth, respectively. Sacramento was listed at No. 12, Anaheim at No. 17, and Long Beach at No. 22. Los Angeles, a larger metropolis, ranked 24th overall. Its weakest performance was in the environment category, where it placed 85th, though its energy sources ranking was a more competitive 12th.
WalletHub's assessment focused on the "city proper" rather than surrounding metropolitan areas. The report also noted that comparable data for recycling rates was not available across all cities, preventing its inclusion in the evaluation. Despite these limitations, the strong showing of California cities, particularly San Jose, highlights ongoing efforts toward environmental responsibility in a state that frequently contends with environmental challenges such as wildfires, drought, and extreme heat.
