Texas Cities Make WalletHub’s List of America’s ‘Most Fun Cities’ for 2025

DALLAS — Several Texas cities landed on WalletHub’s list of the Most Fun Cities in America, with Houston and Austin ranking among the top 10 nationwide.

WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across the U.S. using 65 data points designed to measure how easy and affordable it is to enjoy life locally. Factors included the number of fitness clubs, cost of movies, nightlife options, food affordability, park access, and brewery hours.

Las Vegas took the No. 1 spot overall, followed by Orlando, Fla., and Miami. Atlanta and New Orleans rounded out the top five.

Where Texas Cities Landed

Among Texas cities, Houston ranked sixth nationally, and Austin came in eighth, both earning high scores for entertainment options, nightlife, and year-round events.

Dallas fell just outside the top 25, ranking 26th overall in the report.

WalletHub also noted that Americans spend an average of 4.7% of their annual household budget on entertainment, a sign that leisure and recreation continue to play a significant role in everyday spending.

Other Cities in the Top 20

In addition to Texas, cities such as Chicago, Denver, St. Louis, and San Diego appeared in the top 20, highlighting a mix of major metros and mid-sized destinations that offer strong entertainment scenes and vibrant city life.

The annual report is intended to help travelers, new residents, and locals alike identify cities that offer a wide range of fun activities without breaking the bank.