As millions of Americans set their sights on fitness goals for the new year, a new report from personal finance website WalletHub reveals the best and worst cities for maintaining an active lifestyle in 2025.
Honolulu, Hawaii, claimed the top spot, praised for its abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, community sports facilities, and favorable air quality. North Las Vegas, Nevada, ranked last among the 100 largest U.S. cities analyzed.
WalletHub evaluated cities based on 35 key metrics, including access to fitness clubs, bike scores, the number of playgrounds per capita, and the share of physically inactive adults. Cities like New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Chicago rounded out the top five, while cities such as Irving, Texas, and Hialeah, Florida, joined North Las Vegas at the bottom.
The report highlighted key differences between cities. For example, Orlando, Florida, boasts the most sporting goods stores per capita—over ten times more than North Las Vegas. Scottsdale, Arizona, leads in public golf courses, and Denver, Colorado, has the highest concentration of fitness trainers.
“Cities that support active lifestyles provide easy access to both indoor and outdoor activities, whether it’s biking to work, hiking nearby trails, or joining community sports leagues,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
Experts emphasized the importance of accessible public spaces, community-wide programs, and affordable fitness options to promote physical activity. They also stressed the role of partnerships between schools, health departments, and local governments in creating sustainable, long-term fitness initiatives.
For those looking to maintain an active lifestyle on a budget, experts recommend exploring free fitness apps, utilizing public parks, and engaging in simple exercises like walking or stair climbing.
The full report, including the rankings for all 100 cities, is available on WalletHub’s website.
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