A House of Mutombo Proprietary Index
The Kindness City Index
The Kindness City Index ranks American cities by verified acts of kindness, adjusted for the size of each city. A town of 2,000 and a city of two million each earn a fair chance to rank.
The Index: Every Ranked City
Ranked by the Kindness City Score, weighted acts per 100,000 residents, built from verified acts. Cheers choose the weekly Fan Favorite and stay separate from the score. Open a city to meet the people behind its rank.
1
HoustonTexasBig CitiesKindness City Score 3.21
Leading
138 people
2
AtlantaGeorgiaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 1.13
Leading
14 people
Atlanta is 2.08 points behind Houston. Nominate a local hero
3
MiamiFloridaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 1.02
Leading
10 people
Miami is 0.11 points behind Atlanta. Nominate a local hero
4
PortlandOregonBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.91
Leading
11 people
Portland is 0.11 points behind Miami. Nominate a local hero
5
DetroitMichiganBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.80
Leading
9 people
Detroit is 0.11 points behind Portland. Nominate a local hero
6
DenverColoradoBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.79
Strong
11 people
Denver is 0.01 points behind Detroit. Nominate a local hero
7
MeredithNew HampshireHometownsKindness City Score 0.77
Leading
2 people
Meredith is 0.02 points behind Denver. Nominate a local hero
8
QuestaNew MexicoHometownsKindness City Score 0.77
Leading
2 people
Questa is tied with Meredith. Nominate a local hero
9
SpokaneWashingtonMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.77
Leading
2 people
Spokane is tied with Questa. Nominate a local hero
10
New OrleansLouisianaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.76
Leading
7 people
New Orleans is 0.01 points behind Spokane. Nominate a local hero
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11
KahuluiHawaiiHometownsKindness City Score 0.75
Leading
2 people
Kahului is 0.01 points behind New Orleans. Nominate a local hero
12
YukonOklahomaHometownsKindness City Score 0.75
Leading
1 person
Yukon is tied with Kahului. Nominate a local hero
13
MeridianMississippiHometownsKindness City Score 0.74
Leading
2 people
Meridian is 0.01 points behind Yukon. Nominate a local hero
14
WashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.73
Strong
9 people
Washington is 0.01 points behind Meridian. Nominate a local hero
15
RobbinsIllinoisHometownsKindness City Score 0.73
Strong
2 people
Robbins is tied with Washington. Nominate a local hero
16
MurrayUtahHometownsKindness City Score 0.73
Strong
1 person
Murray is tied with Robbins. Nominate a local hero
17
Idaho FallsIdahoHometownsKindness City Score 0.72
Strong
2 people
Idaho Falls is 0.01 points behind Murray. Nominate a local hero
18
Rapid CitySouth DakotaHometownsKindness City Score 0.71
Strong
2 people
Rapid City is 0.01 points behind Idaho Falls. Nominate a local hero
19
BloomingtonIndianaHometownsKindness City Score 0.71
Strong
1 person
Bloomington is tied with Rapid City. Nominate a local hero
20
BendOregonHometownsKindness City Score 0.69
Strong
2 people
Bend is 0.02 points behind Bloomington. Nominate a local hero
21
DavenportIowaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.69
Strong
2 people
Davenport is tied with Bend. Nominate a local hero
22
AkronOhioMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.69
Strong
1 person
Akron is tied with Davenport. Nominate a local hero
23
FairbanksAlaskaHometownsKindness City Score 0.69
Strong
1 person
Fairbanks is tied with Akron. Nominate a local hero
24
San FranciscoCaliforniaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.68
Strong
8 people
San Francisco is 0.01 points behind Fairbanks. Nominate a local hero
25
Baton RougeLouisianaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.68
Strong
3 people
Baton Rouge is tied with San Francisco. Nominate a local hero
26
BismarckNorth DakotaHometownsKindness City Score 0.68
Strong
2 people
Bismarck is tied with Baton Rouge. Nominate a local hero
27
Deer LodgeMontanaHometownsKindness City Score 0.68
Strong
1 person
Deer Lodge is tied with Bismarck. Nominate a local hero
28
GrotonConnecticutHometownsKindness City Score 0.68
Growing
1 person
Groton is tied with Deer Lodge. Nominate a local hero
29
LamoniIowaHometownsKindness City Score 0.68
Growing
1 person
Lamoni is tied with Groton. Nominate a local hero
30
LansingMichiganMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.68
Strong
1 person
Lansing is tied with Lamoni. Nominate a local hero
31
MorrisonColoradoHometownsKindness City Score 0.68
Growing
1 person
Morrison is tied with Lansing. Nominate a local hero
32
SurryMaineHometownsKindness City Score 0.68
Growing
1 person
Surry is tied with Morrison. Nominate a local hero
33
WelchWest VirginiaHometownsKindness City Score 0.68
Growing
1 person
Welch is tied with Surry. Nominate a local hero
34
KinstonNorth CarolinaHometownsKindness City Score 0.67
Growing
1 person
Kinston is 0.01 points behind Welch. Nominate a local hero
35
PalmdaleCaliforniaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.67
Strong
1 person
Palmdale is tied with Kinston. Nominate a local hero
36
FargoNorth DakotaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.66
Strong
2 people
Fargo is 0.01 points behind Palmdale. Nominate a local hero
37
College ParkMarylandHometownsKindness City Score 0.66
Growing
1 person
College Park is tied with Fargo. Nominate a local hero
38
DouglasvilleGeorgiaHometownsKindness City Score 0.66
Growing
1 person
Douglasville is tied with College Park. Nominate a local hero
39
ElkhornNebraskaHometownsKindness City Score 0.66
Growing
1 person
Elkhorn is tied with Douglasville. Nominate a local hero
40
MorgantownWest VirginiaHometownsKindness City Score 0.66
Growing
1 person
Morgantown is tied with Elkhorn. Nominate a local hero
41
BillingsMontanaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.65
Strong
2 people
Billings is 0.01 points behind Morgantown. Nominate a local hero
42
Salt Lake CityUtahMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.65
Strong
2 people
Salt Lake City is tied with Billings. Nominate a local hero
43
BurlingtonVermontHometownsKindness City Score 0.65
Growing
1 person
Burlington is tied with Salt Lake City. Nominate a local hero
44
Cape GirardeauMissouriHometownsKindness City Score 0.65
Growing
1 person
Cape Girardeau is tied with Burlington. Nominate a local hero
45
CovingtonKentuckyHometownsKindness City Score 0.65
Growing
1 person
Covington is tied with Cape Girardeau. Nominate a local hero
46
HiloHawaiiHometownsKindness City Score 0.65
Emerging
1 person
Hilo is tied with Covington. Nominate a local hero
47
LittletonColoradoHometownsKindness City Score 0.65
Emerging
1 person
Littleton is tied with Hilo. Nominate a local hero
48
SimpsonvilleSouth CarolinaHometownsKindness City Score 0.65
Emerging
1 person
Simpsonville is tied with Littleton. Nominate a local hero
49
CasperWyomingHometownsKindness City Score 0.64
Emerging
1 person
Casper is 0.01 points behind Simpsonville. Nominate a local hero
50
MaricopaArizonaHometownsKindness City Score 0.64
Emerging
1 person
Maricopa is tied with Casper. Nominate a local hero
51
BroomfieldColoradoHometownsKindness City Score 0.63
Emerging
1 person
Broomfield is 0.01 points behind Maricopa. Nominate a local hero
52
CamdenNew JerseyHometownsKindness City Score 0.63
Emerging
1 person
Camden is tied with Broomfield. Nominate a local hero
53
WilmingtonDelawareHometownsKindness City Score 0.63
Emerging
1 person
Wilmington is tied with Camden. Nominate a local hero
54
WoonsocketRhode IslandHometownsKindness City Score 0.63
Emerging
1 person
Woonsocket is tied with Wilmington. Nominate a local hero
55
FayettevilleNorth CarolinaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.62
Growing
2 people
Fayetteville is 0.01 points behind Woonsocket. Nominate a local hero
56
Sioux FallsSouth DakotaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.62
Growing
2 people
Sioux Falls is tied with Fayetteville. Nominate a local hero
57
WorcesterMassachusettsMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.62
Growing
2 people
Worcester is tied with Sioux Falls. Nominate a local hero
58
Santa FeNew MexicoHometownsKindness City Score 0.62
Emerging
1 person
Santa Fe is tied with Worcester. Nominate a local hero
59
ComptonCaliforniaHometownsKindness City Score 0.61
Emerging
2 people
Compton is 0.01 points behind Santa Fe. Nominate a local hero
60
TacomaWashingtonMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.61
Growing
2 people
Tacoma is tied with Compton. Nominate a local hero
61
BeavertonOregonHometownsKindness City Score 0.61
Emerging
1 person
Beaverton is tied with Tacoma. Nominate a local hero
62
DearbornMichiganMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.61
Growing
1 person
Dearborn is tied with Beaverton. Nominate a local hero
63
HattiesburgMississippiHometownsKindness City Score 0.61
Emerging
1 person
Hattiesburg is tied with Dearborn. Nominate a local hero
64
SyracuseNew YorkMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.61
Growing
1 person
Syracuse is tied with Hattiesburg. Nominate a local hero
65
TuscaloosaAlabamaHometownsKindness City Score 0.61
Emerging
1 person
Tuscaloosa is tied with Syracuse. Nominate a local hero
66
MilwaukeeWisconsinBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.60
Strong
2 people
Milwaukee is 0.01 points behind Tuscaloosa. Nominate a local hero
67
ClevelandOhioMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.60
Growing
1 person
Cleveland is tied with Milwaukee. Nominate a local hero
68
WestminsterColoradoMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.60
Growing
1 person
Westminster is tied with Cleveland. Nominate a local hero
69
PhoenixArizonaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.59
Strong
13 people
Phoenix is 0.01 points behind Westminster. Nominate a local hero
70
ColumbiaSouth CarolinaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.59
Growing
1 person
Columbia is tied with Phoenix. Nominate a local hero
71
NewportVirginiaHometownsKindness City Score 0.59
Emerging
1 person
Newport is tied with Columbia. Nominate a local hero
72
StamfordConnecticutMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.59
Growing
1 person
Stamford is tied with Newport. Nominate a local hero
73
Kansas CityKansasMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.58
Growing
1 person
Kansas City is 0.01 points behind Stamford. Nominate a local hero
74
Little RockArkansasMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.58
Growing
1 person
Little Rock is tied with Kansas City. Nominate a local hero
75
AnchorageAlaskaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.57
Emerging
2 people
Anchorage is 0.01 points behind Little Rock. Nominate a local hero
76
NewarkNew JerseyMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.56
Emerging
2 people
Newark is 0.01 points behind Anchorage. Nominate a local hero
77
Fort LauderdaleFloridaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.56
Emerging
1 person
Fort Lauderdale is tied with Newark. Nominate a local hero
78
OaklandCaliforniaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.55
Emerging
2 people
Oakland is 0.01 points behind Fort Lauderdale. Nominate a local hero
79
Winston-SalemNorth CarolinaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.55
Emerging
2 people
Winston-Salem is tied with Oakland. Nominate a local hero
80
Des MoinesIowaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.55
Emerging
1 person
Des Moines is tied with Winston-Salem. Nominate a local hero
81
GreenwichConnecticutHometownsKindness City Score 0.55
Emerging
1 person
Greenwich is tied with Des Moines. Nominate a local hero
82
Newport NewsVirginiaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.55
Emerging
0 people
Newport News is tied with Greenwich. Nominate a local hero
83
RaleighNorth CarolinaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.54
Emerging
1 person
Raleigh is 0.01 points behind Newport News. Nominate a local hero
84
RichmondVirginiaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.54
Emerging
1 person
Richmond is tied with Raleigh. Nominate a local hero
85
BostonMassachusettsBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.53
Strong
5 people
Boston is 0.01 points behind Richmond. Nominate a local hero
86
AuroraColoradoMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.53
Emerging
2 people
Aurora is tied with Boston. Nominate a local hero
87
NashvilleTennesseeBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.52
Growing
4 people
Nashville is 0.01 points behind Aurora. Nominate a local hero
88
TulsaOklahomaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.52
Emerging
1 person
Tulsa is tied with Nashville. Nominate a local hero
89
OrlandoFloridaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.50
Emerging
1 person
Orlando is 0.02 points behind Tulsa. Nominate a local hero
90
OmahaNebraskaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.49
Emerging
2 people
Omaha is 0.01 points behind Orlando. Nominate a local hero
91
TucsonArizonaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.47
Growing
2 people
Tucson is 0.02 points behind Omaha. Nominate a local hero
92
BaltimoreMarylandBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.47
Growing
1 person
Baltimore is tied with Tucson. Nominate a local hero
93
WichitaKansasMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.45
Emerging
1 person
Wichita is 0.02 points behind Baltimore. Nominate a local hero
94
DallasTexasBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.44
Growing
4 people
Dallas is 0.01 points behind Wichita. Nominate a local hero
95
LouisvilleKentuckyBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.44
Growing
2 people
Louisville is tied with Dallas. Nominate a local hero
96
St. LouisMissouriMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.44
Emerging
1 person
St. Louis is tied with Louisville. Nominate a local hero
97
Las VegasNevadaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.40
Growing
1 person
Las Vegas is 0.04 points behind St. Louis. Nominate a local hero
98
MemphisTennesseeBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.39
Growing
1 person
Memphis is 0.01 points behind Las Vegas. Nominate a local hero
99
MinneapolisMinnesotaMid-Size CitiesKindness City Score 0.39
Emerging
1 person
Minneapolis is tied with Memphis. Nominate a local hero
100
Bay AreaCaliforniaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.38
Growing
2 people
Bay Area is 0.01 points behind Minneapolis. Nominate a local hero
101
Oklahoma CityOklahomaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.38
Growing
1 person
Oklahoma City is tied with Bay Area. Nominate a local hero
102
ColumbusOhioBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.37
Emerging
2 people
Columbus is 0.01 points behind Oklahoma City. Nominate a local hero
103
SacramentoCaliforniaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.37
Emerging
2 people
Sacramento is tied with Columbus. Nominate a local hero
104
PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.36
Emerging
7 people
Philadelphia is 0.01 points behind Sacramento. Nominate a local hero
105
CharlotteNorth CarolinaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.36
Emerging
2 people
Charlotte is tied with Philadelphia. Nominate a local hero
106
Fort WorthTexasBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.33
Emerging
1 person
Fort Worth is 0.03 points behind Charlotte. Nominate a local hero
107
ChicagoIllinoisBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.32
Emerging
9 people
Chicago is 0.01 points behind Fort Worth. Nominate a local hero
108
AustinTexasBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.31
Emerging
1 person
Austin is 0.01 points behind Chicago. Nominate a local hero
109
Los AngelesCaliforniaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.29
Emerging
10 people
Los Angeles is 0.02 points behind Austin. Nominate a local hero
110
IndianapolisIndianaBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.29
Emerging
1 person
Indianapolis is tied with Los Angeles. Nominate a local hero
111
San AntonioTexasBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.29
Emerging
1 person
San Antonio is tied with Indianapolis. Nominate a local hero
112
New YorkNew YorkBig CitiesKindness City Score 0.13
Emerging
9 people
New York is 0.16 points behind San Antonio. Nominate a local hero
★
Across AmericaKindness that reaches nationwide
Everywhere
3 peoplenationwide
All fifty statesLevels are set within each size group: Leading (top 10%), Strong (next 20%), Growing (next 30%) and Emerging, so big cities, mid-size cities and hometowns each crown their own leaders. Each person counts once, in the city they serve; 3 people serve nationwide.
Fan Favorite
This week's Fan Favorite: No cheers yet this week be the first to cheer your city
Cheers choose the weekly Fan Favorite and stay separate from the score.
112cities ranked
409people profiled
HoustonNo. 1 this week
How the Kindness City Index Works
The Index ranks American cities by verified acts of kindness, scored under a published methodology, Methodology version 6. Each week, editors verify new acts, score them and update each city's rank.
1
We verify the act
Each act must be real, specific and completed, and documented well enough to check: a record from the people who received the help, or independent news reports. It must serve others and reach people in the city credited, have happened within the past 36 months, carry no unresolved controversy, and any foundation behind it must be validated. A video counts once its date and place are confirmed.
›
2
We weigh the act
Each verified act earns a weight from three parts: how strong its evidence is (an independent record earns full credit, two news reports 90%, one report 75%, and material a person or foundation publishes about itself 60%), how recent it is (full value for 12 months, then half for each year after), and how strongly the community responded in the first 24 hours, measured as Lift and Spread together, called Resonance. An act with a typical response counts as one act, a standout as up to 1.5 and a quiet one as 0.5.
›
3
We rank the city
Each person contributes up to three of their best acts. A city's score is its weighted acts per 100,000 residents, with a cushion of five typical acts so a small sample cannot swing the ranking. Cities are rated Leading, Strong, Growing or Emerging within their size group: Big Cities of 500,000 residents or more, Mid-Size Cities of 100,000 to 499,999, and Hometowns under 100,000.
›
4
Rankings refresh every Monday
New acts join the Index as they clear review, and each card shows its city's move since the last snapshot. Cities level on score rank by the number of residents with verified acts, then alphabetically.
One example: Houston
On November 6, 2026, at Lockhart Elementary in Houston, Amen Thompson and his mom stocked a new resource den where students can pick up essentials. See the source.
Cheers choose the weekly Fan Favorite and stay separate from the score. House of Mutombo works with retired players through the NBRPA's city chapters. Sponsors receive visibility, and rankings remain independent. Before publication, editors review the engagement behind acts at the top of the rankings for bots and bought engagement.
Each entry is verified before it counts, against foundation records for athletes and local reporting or direct confirmation for local heroes. Each entry names and links its source. Read the full methodology.