Many seniors say they know within weeks whether a place feels right.

Is it the weather? Is it the tax rate? Nope. Neither.

It's whether people are patient when you move a little slower. It's whether anyone notices when you need help. It's the lady in the flower shop who can't speak a word of English, but who goes to the back and brings out someone who can to help you out.

At our age, we'll take all of that we can.

Lonnie Ali – Muhammad Ali's widow – should be credited for incubating a study to find the Most Compassionate Cities in the U.S. — incubated and commissioned the study along with the Ali Center, a Louisville-based nonprofit co-founded by Muhammad Ali and Lonnie in 2005. which commissioned and owns the study.

The study drew enough attention that Lonnie Ali was invited to present the findings at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health .

Harvard thought so much of the idea that researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health called in Lonnie Ali to get schooled on the subject and they've been collaborating on ways ways to measure compassion in cities — not as a feel-valuable slogan, but as something that shows up in real behavior.

Muhammad Ali Index seeks to measure compassion, inspire action | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Lonnie Ali discussed compassion and health, and the humanitarian legacy of her late husband, boxer Muhammad Ali, at a Harvard Chan School event.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthAmy Roeder

How “Compassion” Shows Up After 60

To someone half our age, compassion doesn't get much attention because it's almost abstract to them. For folks after 60, however, compassion has taken the lead and doesn't seem to want to give it up.

Walkability: It shows up where a city quietly makes room for people...

who’ve lived a long time — and still want to belong.

Neighborliness: It shows up in places where neighbors check in on each other in person...





not just check online (when's the last time you borrowed a cup of sugar from a neighbor?)

Dignity: It shows up where people don't sit on their hearts...

and local governments respect aging as a respected stage of life — not a problem to manage.

Volunteerism: It shows up in cities where there are literally hundreds of opportunities for citizens to help their community...

People who would rather actually get up and go several zip codes away and help out their fellow man instead of writing a check and copping the "Hey, I gave 'em some cash so I contributed" plea.

Where Compassion Shows Up in the Daily Life of American Seniors

What did Ali Center researchers determine to be America's Most Compassionate places?

Let's count 'em down...

America's Most Compassionate Cities — 2025

2025 Compassion Report

America's Most Compassionate Cities

Share of residents who gave their city the highest compassion ratings (9 or 10 out of 10).

1

Atlanta31.4%

Standout: Cultural diversity & healthcare access

Top city pride: Cultural diversity & natural beauty

2

Louisville28.8%

Standout: Community events & festivals

Top city pride: Parks & community togetherness

3

Chicago28.2%

Standout: Cultural diversity & local cuisine

Top city pride: Cultural diversity (33.8%)

4

New York City28.1%

Standout: Arts & entertainment scene

Top city pride: Cultural diversity & arts

5

Seattle27.5%

Standout: Natural beauty & parks

Top city pride: Natural beauty (38.7%)

6

Denver25.9%

Standout: Natural beauty & outdoor access

Top city pride: Natural beauty (38.9%)

7

San Antonio25.9%

Standout: Historical landmarks & heritage





Top city pride: Historical landmarks (35.0%)

8

Los Angeles25.4%

Standout: Cultural diversity & natural beauty

Top city pride: Cultural diversity

9

Dallas24.8%

Standout: Safety & low crime rates

Top city pride: Cultural diversity

10

Jacksonville24.5%

Standout: Natural beauty & community events

Top city pride: Natural beauty

11

Phoenix21.4%

Standout: Natural beauty & outdoor access

Top city pride: Natural beauty

12

Las Vegas18.0%

Standout: Arts, entertainment & cuisine

Top city pride: Cuisine & entertainment

Source: 2025 eCivility & Compassion Report (September 2024). Q: "How compassionate do you think your local city is?" Percentage shown = residents rating their city 9 or 10 out of 10. n=5,417 U.S. adults across 12 cities. Standout factors from Q22: "What makes you proud of your city?"

There are other cities who fit this model, too, but the study is still in its first year, and the Ali Center has said it plans to expand the Index to more cities over time.

Moving to Save Money? Don’t Forget Property Taxes

Some states give seniors big breaks — others quietly take them back.

Smart Senior DailySmart Senior Daily Staff The Signal is Clear The cities where older adults tend to feel most at home aren't necessarily the warmest, the cheapest, or the most scenic . They're the ones where people still notice each other .

That may be the most Muhammad Ali thing about this whole project. The man who once said " Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth " didn't leave a legacy of statistics. He left a standard of behavior.

The cities at the top of this list aren't there because their mayors gave a speech about kindness. They're there because their residents — when asked directly — said they actually feel it.

For those of us who've learned to read a room pretty quickly, that matters more than the tax rate.

📌 The U.S.' Most Compassionate Cities — And Why Seniors Feel It First (Centre Wellington)
🏢 Smart Senior Daily
📍 Centre Wellington