Americans place a high value on walkable neighborhoods, nearby amenities and a range of housing options, according to a new survey from the National Association of REALTORS®. The findings from NAR’s 2026 Community and Transportation Preference Survey indicate that many residents are willing to pay more to live in communities that provide convenient access to daily destinations and reduce dependence on driving.
The survey found that 89% of respondents consider sidewalks and places to walk important when deciding where to live, while 82% said being within easy walking distance of shops and parks is an important factor. Nearly three-quarters (74%) said access to places where they can walk or exercise a pet is important.
“It’s clear that Americans place a high value on making sure the place they call home has the amenities they need to lead a happy and healthy life,” says NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn. “NAR members know this intuitively, but having hard data like this is an asset in our advocacy efforts at the federal, state and local level.”
Notably, the results also point to the market value of walkability. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) said they would be willing to pay more to live in a community where they could easily walk to parks, shops and restaurants. When presented with a choice between a larger lot requiring more driving and a smaller option in a walkable neighborhood, 59% selected the walkable option.
The survey found broad support for community designs aimed at reducing long driving trips. Forty-six percent of respondents said local governments should make it a high priority to encourage communities where residents can more easily access work, shopping and services without lengthy drives, while another 39% said it should be a middle priority. Support also extended to housing choice, with 63% viewing small-lot single-family homes favorably and 51% supporting townhomes, duplexes and other attached housing options.
Collectively, the findings suggest continued demand for housing and development patterns that combine accessibility, convenience and a variety of housing choices.
NAR’s Community and Transportation Preference Survey is a triennial survey of 2,000 residents in America’s 50 largest metropolitan areas to assess their preferences related to Smart Growth Principles and is part of NAR’s Building Better Communities campaign celebrating over 25 years of support to state and local REALTOR® associations to advance advocacy efforts to strengthen communities across America.
