The AARP Livability Index™ Categories Explained

The AARP Livability Index platform is a groundbreaking, web-based tool that scores every neighborhood and community in the United States for the services and amenities that affect peopleʼs lives the most. It provides a clear picture of how well a community meets the current and future needs of people of all ages, regardless of income, physical ability, race or ethnicity.

The AARP Livability Index platform relies on multiple, interconnected metrics and policies from trusted, high-quality sources to determine how communities perform, as measured by 61 indicators across seven categories of livability: housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement and opportunity.

These seven fact sheets explain the key measures the platform uses in each of the categories to score and rank neighborhoods and communities across the country.

Housing

Our homes are extensions of ourselves and our families. Their physical space is familiar and meets our daily needs. They have deep emotional value and should support our needs throughout a lifetime. Livable communities have housing for people of all ages and abilities. The AARP Livability Index platform looks at housing costs, options for people of all abilities, and availability. 

Neighborhood

Livable communities are vibrant, convenient, and safe places where people exchange friendly hellos with neighbors, walk to the park, or take a quick bus trip to the local library. The AARP Livability Index platform measures diverse, walkable neighborhoods with access to jobs, shops, restaurants, and gathering places. Neighborhoods should support daily living that adds value to people's lives and connects residents to places.

Transportation

In a livable community, people can move easily and safely from one place to another, vastly improving their quality of life. Whether walking, driving, cycling, or using transit, transportation options connect people to destinations across their communities. Successful transportation systems have a range of convenient, healthy, accessible, and low-cost options to meet the needs of all community members.

Environment

Livable communities promote health, safety, and environmental sustainability. Extreme weather and natural disasters, especially when followed by utility outages, can make living in certain places difficult. The AARP Livability Index platform measures a community's ability to promote sustainability and mitigate disasters.

Health

Livable communities are healthy places that make it easy to access quality medical care, be physically active, and foster healthy behaviors. Preventing poor health outcomes—caused by smoking and obesity— and ensuring people are satisfied with their medical care are ways that communities prioritize the health of their citizens. Health is woven throughout the categories measured in the AARP Livability Index platform. Access to healthy foods, jobs, education, social and mental well-being, walkable communities, and mitigating pollution exposure, are all part of maintaining health.

Engagement

Livable communities welcome all people, regardless of age or background, promote social interactions among diverse neighbors, and encourage community involvement. Engagement means having access to the internet and opportunities to socialize, learn, shop, and connect with civic and local organizations.

Opportunity

In a livable community everyone deserves an equal chance to live a good life. Both government and industry play a role in providing opportunities for all people. The AARP Livability Index platform measures factors that identify inclusive communities with strong regional economies and fiscally healthy local governments. These conditions help people of all ages and abilities live rich and fulfilling lives. Access to earning a living wage and receiving a competitive education are also important to ensuring opportunity for all.