Unveiling the Future: Top and Bottom Cities for an Active Lifestyle in 2025!

WalletHub released its recent analysis on the Top & Bottom Cities for an Active Lifestyle in 2025.

WalletHub assessed the 100 largest cities in the U.S. using 35 essential indicators. The dataset varies from the average monthly gym membership fee to the city’s cycling score to the proportion of inactive adults.

Top 5 Cities for an Active Lifestyle

1. Honolulu, Hawaii
2. New York, N.Y.
3. San Francisco, Calif.
4. Las Vegas, Nev.
5. Chicago, Ill.

Best Cities for an Active Lifestyle		Worst Cities for an Active Lifestyle
1. Honolulu, Hawaii		91. Fresno, Calif.
2. New York, N.Y.		92. Winston-Salem, N.C.
3. San Francisco, Calif.		93. Newark, N.J.
4. Las Vegas, Nev.		94. Garland, Texas
5. Chicago, Ill.		95. Hialeah, Fla.
6. Los Angeles, Calif.		96. Wichita, Kan.
7. Denver, Colo.		97. Corpus Christi, Texas
8. San Diego, Calif.		98. Fort Wayne, Ind.
9. Philadelphia, Pa.		99. Irving, Texas
10. Cincinnati, Ohio		100. North Las Vegas, Nev.

[Read more: Which cities are the healthiest?]

Detailed examination of the top cities:

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu is the leading city for an active lifestyle in 2025, particularly because it encourages community sports more than any other city. For instance, it features a notably high number of baseball fields, skate parks, volleyball courts, and tennis courts per capita.

The tropical paradise ambiance of Honolulu makes it conducive for outdoor activities to thrive. Even if team sports aren’t your thing, the city’s closeness to the ocean provides easy access to swimming and surfing, making it the top city for hiking paths as well. Additionally, it has the third-highest acreage of parks per capita. Honolulu also offers a bike-sharing initiative and the eighth-highest percentage of individuals who cycle or walk to work.

Honolulu ranks third nationwide for air quality as well, which enhances your breathing during outdoor pursuits.

New York, N.Y.

The second top city for an active lifestyle is New York City, where you can achieve plenty of physical activity just by walking to your job, eateries, and various locations. New York is recognized as the second-most walkable city across the United States, and it also offers numerous options for organized recreation. It stands out as one of the finest cities regarding the availability of dance studios, swimming classes, bike rental options, basketball fields, soccer grounds, and ice skating rinks.

New York also presents ample opportunities for youngsters to remain active, boasting the second-highest number of playgrounds per capita. Instilling effective fitness habits from a young age is essential.

Moreover, New Yorkers exhibit a significant interest in staying fit. Residents of NYC frequently search for workout-related terms on Google more than those in any other city. This indicates that if you’re keen on staying active, you are likely to encounter numerous like-minded individuals with whom you could potentially exercise.

San Francisco, Calif.

San Francisco holds the third position as the best city for remaining active, largely because 100% of its inhabitants live within a reasonable distance to physical activity options. Aside from being a large urban area, the Golden Gate City also has a very high number of hiking trails per capita, and it is conveniently located adjacent to the bay.

Your daily commute in San Francisco can easily double as your workout. It ranks as the most walkable city in the nation, complemented by a bike-sharing initiative. The city is teeming with opportunities to engage in sports; it offers a substantial number of soccer fields, dance institutions, and athletic clubs per capita.

Additionally, San Francisco boasts the seventh-best air quality in the country, facilitating the enjoyment of exercising outdoors.

[Read more: Which states vaccinate the most?]

Best vs. Worst:

Orlando, Fla., has the highest number of sporting goods outlets per capita, a staggering 10.5 times more than North Las Vegas, Nev., which holds the least.

Scottsdale, Ariz., has the greatest quantity of public golf courses per capita, boasting 49.3 times more than Bakersfield, Calif., which has the fewest.

Denver, Colo., has the highest concentration of fitness coaches and aerobics instructors per capita, 5.8 times more than Corpus Christi, Texas, which has the fewest.

Las Vegas offers the most playgrounds per capita, being 22.2 times more than Hialeah, Fla., which has the fewest.

“The leading cities for remaining active provide opportunities for all types of individuals, from those favoring team sports to those who simply wish to secure their daily exercise by walking or cycling to their workplace. They also tend to be large cities that still maintain close proximity to stunning natural locales for hiking and swimming. Finally, the top cities for an active lifestyle comprise populations that show a strong interest in exercise, fostering connections that help individuals find workout partners and maintain motivation,” stated Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst. 

To access the complete report and discover your city’s ranking, please visit here.