Moving to a More Walkable City Increases Step Count

by Arkadi

August 15, 2025

Introduction

Recent findings emphasize a surprising correlation between urban walkability and daily physical activity, specifically step count. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, individuals who relocated to more walkable cities exhibited an increase in their daily step count, which was not a conscious choice but rather a natural consequence of their new environments.

The Study's Design and Data Collection

The research team analyzed data from 5,424 users of the Azumio Argus smartphone application, resulting in a comprehensive dataset that includes 248,266 days of minute-by-minute step recordings. The participants had relocated at least once within a three-year observation window, allowing for a thorough examination of how changes in their living environment impacted their physical activity levels.

Throughout this study, the researchers accounted for essential variables such as age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), enhancing the validity of their findings. This dataset created a countrywide natural experiment, revealing intriguing patterns in physical activity.

Findings: Increased Physical Activity

Upon analyzing the data, the researchers discovered that moving to a more walkable city positively impacted daily step counts. For instance, individuals relocating to New York City, known for its high walkability score of 89, increased their average daily steps by approximately 1,400, rising from 5,600 to 7,000 steps per day.

Moreover, the study noted a general trend wherein significantly more walkable locations were associated with increases of about 1,100 daily steps, while less walkable locations reflected similar declines.

Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) Increases

Importantly, the study also assessed whether the additional steps contributed to an increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which is recognized for its health benefits. The researchers found that the surge in step counts primarily comprised brisk walking. Significantly, a large increase in walkability (approximately 50 points or higher) resulted in an extra hour of MVPA per week.

Understanding the Influence of Built Environment

While researchers acknowledged potential selection biases—specifically whether individuals chose to move to walkable cities due to walkability—evidence indicated that such motivations were unlikely to skew results. Census data suggested that 77% to 98% of participants moved due to family, employment, or housing reasons rather than walkability considerations.

“Our study shows that how much you walk is not just a question of motivation. There are many things that affect daily steps, and the built environment is clearly one of them.” – Tim Althoff, Lead Researcher

Implications for Urban Planning

The findings of this study underscore the significant role of shared public infrastructure in promoting healthier lifestyle behaviors, such as walking. Enhancements in urban walkability could provide a non-intrusive nudge towards increased physical activity for city residents.

Investing in infrastructure that fosters a walkable environment can potentially yield substantial public health benefits, making it an essential consideration for urban planners and policymakers.

Conclusion

This innovative research highlights the growing importance of big data from mobile devices in the field of public health. As cities evolve, prioritizing walkability should be a central tenet for improving the health and well-being of their populations.

Literature

  • [1] Althoff, T., et al. (2025). Countrywide natural experiment links built environment to physical activity. Nature, pages 1-7.
  • [2] Ding, D., et al. Daily steps and health outcomes in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. The Lancet Public Health.
  • [3] Bakker, E. A., et al. (2021). Dose–response association between moderate to vigorous physical activity and incident morbidity and mortality for individuals with different cardiovascular health status: A cohort study among 142,493 adults from the Netherlands. PLOS Medicine, 18(12), e1003845.

This research demonstrates the profound impact that urban planning can have on public health outcomes, encouraging the re-evaluation of city designs to facilitate more active lifestyles.