The Burrow
Sep 5, 2025
There are now more than 1.6 billion vehicles on the road worldwide, and a global population of about 8.23 billion people, which means there are roughly 200 cars for every 1,000 people.1,2 As cities continue to grow, many residents are looking for alternatives to driving.
If you can’t drive, don’t have access to a car, or prefer to get around on foot, choosing the right place to live can make a huge difference in both lifestyle and expenses. And if you’re considering relocating to one of these cities, comparing home loan and refinancing options is just as important. Saving on transport frees up money, but choosing the right home loan can make your move even more financially advantageous.
To explore this, the home loan comparison experts at Compare the Market Australia analysed 90 global cities across eight factors, from access to services and car-free spaces to public transport, cycling routes, safety, rainfall, and commuting habits. The results reveal the world’s most (and least) walkable cities in 2025.
To see the results of our 2024 study, click here.
So, which cities are the easiest to navigate on foot? Europe dominates the list, with nine out of the top ten most walkable cities, while just one (Tokyo) breaks into the top tier from Asia.
Prague takes the crown this year as the world’s most walkable city with a total score of 63.11 out of 100. With 82% of the population living within 1km of a car-free space, and 71% near healthcare or schools, day-to-day errands are easily accessible on foot.
Safety is also high at 75.39, and public transport is both efficient and affordable — a one-way ticket costs just 32.30 Kč ($2.36 AUD). While the city doesn’t have the longest network of bike trails, its historic cobblestoned streets, compact size, and cultural landmarks make it one of the easiest cities to explore without ever needing a car.
Vienna has long been considered one of the most liveable cities in the world, and it shines when it comes to walkability too, with a total score of 62.95. Around 76% of residents live within a kilometre of services, and nearly three-quarters are close to car-free areas like plazas and parks.
Its public transport tickets cost around €2.41 ($4.31 AUD) for a single trip. Safety is another strength, with a score of 71.67, while moderate rainfall (59mm per month on average) keeps conditions walkable most of the year.
Whether you’re strolling through the Museums Quartier or catching a tram along the Ringstrasse, Vienna makes life on foot remarkably easy.
Tokyo is proof that even a bustling megacity can be walkable, following closely behind in third place with a total score of 62.59. Despite its sheer size, 77% of residents live close to schools and healthcare, and nearly half (48%) are within reach of car-free areas.
Its safety score is a solid 75.29, and tickets on its world-renowned transport system cost around ¥220 ($2.29 AUD). Tokyo is one of the rainiest cities in the top 10, with an average of 124mm of rainfall per month, so an umbrella is essential. Still, from the quiet grounds of Meiji Shrine to the buzzing streets of Shibuya, Tokyo makes walking a natural part of everyday life.
Wroclaw might fly under the radar, but it earns its spot in the top five thanks to a total score of 61.52, 84% of locals living near car-free zones and 73% within reach of services. Safety is reassuringly high at 74.46, and public transport is inexpensive (just 4.63 zł – equal to $1.94 AUD – for a one-way ticket.)
Rainfall is modest (58mm a month), meaning the weather rarely gets in the way. From colourful market squares to riverside paths, Wroclaw combines charm and practicality, making it one of Europe’s most pedestrian-friendly hidden gems.
Poland’s capital also ranks highly for walkability, with a total score of 60.86. Around 75% of residents live near services, and a growing number of car-free squares make exploring the city easier on foot. Warsaw’s safety score comes in at 74.65, and its public transport network is strong, with tickets among the cheapest in the top 10 at 4.44 zł ($1.86 AUD).
With an average rainfall of 58mm per month, the climate is relatively mild for walkers. From the charming Old Town cobblestones to its expanding metro system, Warsaw proves that large capitals can still be highly walkable.
Elsewhere in the top 10, London claims sixth place, thanks to its high number of walking trails (723). Madrid and Stockholm follow in seventh and eighth, both scoring strongly for low average monthly rainfall. Lisbon lands in ninth with 84% of residents living near services, and Helsinki rounds out the top 10 with 85% of the population living within 1km of car free spaces.
Australia’s Sydney misses the top ten, placing 19th, while Melbourne sits at 37th. Across the Pacific, New York City is the highest-ranked US city in 61st.
Australia doesn’t break into the global top ten, but several of its capitals still perform respectably. While urban sprawl and a strong car culture hold them back, strengths like trails, safety, and public transport are keeping walkability on the agenda.
Sydney is Australia’s most walkable city, ranking 19th worldwide with an overall score of 53.49 out of 100. It stands out for its 794 mapped walking trails (more than any other city in the dataset) from the Bondi to Coogee coastal path to bushland escapes in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Almost half of locals live close to car-free spaces, and safety is relatively strong at 65.94. Public transport doesn’t come cheap, with a one-way ticket costing $5.02 AUD. With 76mm of rainfall each month, the weather doesn’t always cooperate, but Sydney still leads the way in Australia for life on foot.
Melbourne comes in 37th globally, earning a walkability score of 49.57. It offers 653 mapped walking trails, including riverside paths along the Yarra and popular inner-city walks through Carlton Gardens.
Only 42% of residents live within 1km of a car-free area, and safety is weaker at 56.16. Rainfall averages 54mm a month, making conditions drier than Sydney. Even so, Melbourne’s compact CBD, café culture, and green spaces make walking an attractive option.
Brisbane ranks 39th overall, achieving a score of 49.16 out of 100. The subtropical city is home to 659 bike routes and 451 mapped walking trails, with popular spots including South Bank’s riverside paths and the Kangaroo Point cliffs.
Safety is relatively strong at 62.45, but only 35% of residents live within 1km of services and rainfall is high at 76mm per month. For many, cycling or taking the ferry fills the gap where walking falls short.
Adelaide takes 55th place globally, achieving a walkability score of 44.14. The city benefits from its compact grid layout and boasts 675 mapped bike routes. With a safety score of 66.95, it’s among the highest in Australia.
However, only 33% of residents live within walking distance of services, and there are just 346 mapped walking trails. Rainfall is lower than in other capitals at 43mm per month, giving Adelaide a more forgiving walking climate.
Perth ranks 60th worldwide, with a score of 41.47 out of 100, the lowest of Australia’s capitals. It offers 648 bike routes and relatively good access to car-free spaces, with 53% of residents nearby.
But just 26% of locals live within walking distance of services, making daily errands difficult on foot. Safety is lower at 58.22, while public transport struggles to cover the city’s sprawling suburbs. Tickets cost $5.02 AUD, and rainfall averages 49mm per month. Perth has scenic riverside and coastal trails, but its layout keeps it mostly car-dependent.
Not every city makes walking easy. At the other end of the rankings, sprawling layouts, poor public transport, and low safety scores mean cars remain a necessity.
Johannesburg is the least walkable city in 2025, ranking 90th worldwide with an overall score of 18.38 out of 100. Its safety score is the lowest in the dataset at 19.17, and only 8% of residents live within 1km of a car-free space such as a park or plaza.
Just 13% of locals live within 1km of healthcare or education, and despite attractions like rooftop bars in the CBD and the iconic Soweto cooling towers, Johannesburg remains highly car-dependent.
Newark comes in 89th, recording a walkability score of 19.18 out of 100. Below-average safety discourages commuters from travelling on foot.
Car-free spaces are scarce, and few residents live within easy reach of essential services, meaning most errands require a car. Despite being close to New York, Newark lacks the dense infrastructure that makes its neighbour more pedestrian-friendly.
Dallas ranks 88th globally, achieving a score of 21.94 out of 100. Only 10% of residents live within 1km of healthcare or education, and just 13% are close to a car-free area.
The city has a lower number of bike routes, and safety is below average. With limited public transport coverage, Dallas remains one of the hardest places to live without a car.
Houston follows closely behind in 87th place, with a total score of 23.80 out of 100. It has the lowest access to services of all cities studied, with only 8% of residents living within walking distance of healthcare or education.
Just 15% live close to a car-free area, and the city receives heavy rainfall, averaging 104mm per month. While Houston offers cultural attractions and dining, its sprawl and wet climate make it car-dependent.
Tampa rounds out the bottom five, placing 86th with a walkability score of 23.97 out of 100.
Car-free spaces are limited, and the city’s spread-out design means walking isn’t practical for most residents. Despite its coastal appeal, daily life in Tampa is firmly reliant on driving.
Living in a walkable city isn’t just about convenience. It can save money, improve health, and make daily life more enjoyable. By cutting down car use, residents spend less on transport, get more exercise, and help reduce emissions.
Stephen Zeller, General Manager of Money at Compare the Market, explains:
“As cities strive for greater sustainability, the need for walkable infrastructure becomes more important than ever,” Mr Zeller said.
“By investing in walkable infrastructure, cities like Prague and Vienna are setting a global example.
“With these improvements, the quality of life for residents increases significantly, and cities can become more sustainable in the long term.
“For those considering relocating, walkability is worth weighing up alongside housing costs.
“Lower transport expenses can leave more room in the budget, and comparing home loan and refinancing options can help make the most of those savings.”
This dataset ranks 90 worldwide cities, based on how walkable they are. To do this, 8 different factors were used. Once the data for the factors was collected, the factors were then normalised, to provide each factor with a score between 0 and 1. If data was not available, a score of 0 was given. The normalised values were then summed and multiplied, to give each city a total score out of 100. The cities were then ranked from highest to lowest, based on their total scores.
The factors used are as follows:
Indexing rules:
Additional Sources:
All data & exchange rates are correct as of 11/08/25. The ranking data shown is a compilation of multiple data sources and may not be representative of real life. All data is accurate with regards to the sources provided.