Comparing Metropolitan Areas by Transit-Accessible Jobs

The University of Minnesota has released its annual "Access Across America" report.

1 minute read

November 13, 2017, 2:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Subway Sign

littleny / Shutterstock

Angie Schmitt shares news of the "Access Across America: Transit 2016" report released by researchers at the University of Minnesota that ranks the nation's largest metropolitan regions by the quality of job access to transit.

"Using detailed data on population, employment, and transit schedules, the rankings weigh how many jobs residents can typically access via bus or train in a given amount of time," explains Schmitt. "The more jobs are within reach of more people in less time, the better a region’s rank will be."

According to the report, New York leads the nation in jobs access by transit, followed by San Francisco and Chicago. The top ten is unchanged since last year, reports Schmitt, though 36 out of the 49 largest metropolitan areas in the country improved between 2015 and 2016. The cities with the largest improvements: Cincinnati (11.23 percent), Charlotte (11.02 percent), and Orlando (10.83 percent).

For additional detail on the study, see a press release from the University of Minnesota. Planetizen last picked up news of the "Access Across America report in 2014

Friday, November 10, 2017 in Streetsblog USA

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

30 minutes ago - Investopedia

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company