The vegan lifestyle might not be for everyone, but once upon a time, it was a far more difficult feat in this country. You were lucky if you found any plant-based options at all, let alone fully vegan restaurants and stores. But that story has changed over the last decade or so. Between a rise in meat alternatives like Beyond and Impossible, the increasing availability of nearly every dairy substitute you could imagine from oat milk to vegan cheese (even fast food restaurants are getting in on the action), it’s easier than ever for vegans to find reliable options. But some cities are acclimating faster than others when it comes to being vegan-friendly and one city in particular is well above them all. A recent study by WalletHub ranked the best cities for veganism based on affordability, accessibility, quality, and diversity of options — and none other than Los Angeles tops the list.
It’s not necessarily surprising that LA is the de facto vegan capital of the country, considering its stereotype for being a health-conscious town, but LA residents eat vegan options a whopping 187% more often than the rest of the country’s average. Not only are they eating vegan more often, it’s also the second best in affordable plant-based restaurants. With a robust number of farmers markets, organic farms, community gardens, and vegan community meet ups per capita; Los Angeles is a cultural hub for produce lovers.
Other cities climbing the ranks
The second city on the list might not be what you expect. Orlando, Florida comes just behind LA with a particular strength in diversity, quality, and accessibility. Orlando is home to a vast array of juice and smoothie bars, salad shops, and a high volume of restaurants with vegan options. Even better, its plant-based products are extremely affordable. Third on the list goes to Portland, Oregon, which once held the top spot but remains an absolute haven for a plant-based lifestyle. Portland residents are known for embracing veganism, ordering that kind of food 148% more often than the national average.
Surprisingly, there are a few smaller cities climbing the vegan ranks as well, so it’s not just huge metropolitan areas that have options if you’re on the hunt for a vegan-friendly destination. Madison, Wisconsin comes in at 17th and is 8th highest when it comes to a vegetarian lifestyle. In fact, this past year Madison hosted a fully vegan fall festival with more than 50 vendors. Scottsdale, Arizona has the highest percentage of vegan restaurants per capita, tied with St. Petersburg, Florida and Washington D.C. So whether you’re looking to dip your toe into vegan cuisine or committed to making it your day-to-day, you’re in luck as it’s becoming easier to do so coast to coast.
