Did you know research shows that skipping meat can save the average person at least $750 per year? It can indeed. A recent study conducted by the website WalletHub called 2018’s Best Cities for Vegans & Vegetarians shows where the best places and the cheapest places are for following a plant-based diet.
WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities across 16 key indicators of vegan- and vegetarian-friendliness. The data set ranges from the share of restaurants serving meatless options to the cost of groceries for vegetarians to salad shops per capita.
Cutting out meat
Changing to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle is now easier than ever for most individuals as both lifestyles have come a long way over the years. There are now all kinds of ways to cut out meat and not have to worry about feeling unfulfilled. Today, you can walk into any grocery store or specialty shop and you will find an array of products to satisfy your vegan or vegetarian needs. From tofu turkey to meatless chili and soups, there’s plenty of food items to take the place of meat should you choose to go that route.
If you live in a city, neighborhood, or town where there are already vegetarian and vegan restaurants, cafes, and more that cater to those lifestyles, good for you. Having these venues makes it easier should you decide to definitly change, continue, or if you have been thinking about making a drastic change to your daily diet.
Where to save money
Below are the top cities for observing a vegan and/or vegetarian lifestyle should you decide to relocate, or if you simply go on vacation and need to find a vegan and/or vegetarian venue.
So, if you thought vegans and vegetarians dined only on lettuce, think again, there’s a whole new world to discover if you opt to change for a healthier and potentially less costly lifestyle in terms of food.
| Top 20 Cities for Vegans & Vegetarians | ||||
| 1 | New York, NY | 11 | Washington, DC | |
| 2 | Portland, OR | 12 | Tampa, FL | |
| 3 | Orlando, FL | 13 | Chicago, IL | |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | 14 | Phoenix, AZ | |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | 15 | Miami, FL | |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | 16 | Atlanta, GA | |
| 7 | Austin, TX | 17 | Anaheim, CA | |
| 8 | Scottsdale, AZ | 18 | Nashville, TN | |
| 9 | San Diego, CA | 19 | Houston, TX | |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | 20 | Madison, WI | |
Best vs. worst
- Scottsdale, Ariz., has the highest share of restaurants serving vegetarian options, 33.44 percent, which is 16.8 times higher than in Laredo, Texas, the city with the lowest at 1.99 percent.
- Scottsdale, Ariz., has the highest share of restaurants serving vegan options, 20.23 percent, which is 37.5 times higher than in Newark, New Jersey, the city with the lowest at 0.54 percent.
- San Francisco has the most community-supported agriculture programs (per square root of population), 0.0128, which is 18.3 times more than in Houston, the city with the fewest at 0.0007.
- New York has the most salad shops (per square root of population), 0.2510, which is 42.5 times more than in Laredo, Texas, the city with the fewest at 0.0059.
As you can see, there are quite a few options for those seeking to change their diets and say goodbye to meat and lead a vegan and/or vegetarian lifestyle.
To view the full report and your city’s rank, please click here.
