Dallas has secured a notable position in WalletHub’s latest ranking of America’s most fun cities for 2025, landing at 26th place. This improvement reflects the city’s vibrant entertainment and nightlife scenes, which contribute significantly to its appeal. The study assessed 182 cities across 65 metrics, evaluating aspects such as the number of sports venues, music venues, and shopping centers per capita, along with the average cost of dining out.
Insights from WalletHub’s Ranking
According to WalletHub’s “Most Fun Cities in America (2025)” report, the metrics were categorized into three main areas: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost. Dallas achieved its strongest performance in the nightlife and parties category, ranking 23rd overall. However, there remains room for growth in the entertainment and recreation category at 35th, and the cost category, where it ranked 99th.
Despite these challenges, Dallas’ position is an improvement from its 2024 ranking of 31st, indicating a growing reputation as a fun city. The findings highlight the ongoing evolution of Dallas, where diverse entertainment options are increasingly available.
In North Texas, Fort Worth is ranked 60th, while Arlington and Plano follow, standing at 71st and 78th, respectively. The competition among Texas cities remains fierce, with Houston claiming the title of the most fun city in the state, ranking 6th overall. Austin, which previously held the 6th position, has dropped to 8th in this year’s list.
Comparative Analysis of Fun Cities
WalletHub’s evaluation reveals that the top spot continues to belong to Las Vegas, Nevada. The full list of the top ten most fun cities includes:
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Orlando, Florida
3. Miami, Florida
4. Atlanta, Georgia
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
6. Houston, Texas
7. San Francisco, California
8. Austin, Texas
9. Portland, Oregon
10. Cincinnati, Ohio
Interestingly, both Chicago and New York City have fallen out of the top ten. Chicago is now ranked 11th, while New York City sits at 14th.
The report’s author notes the importance of choosing a location that maximizes both fun and financial considerations. “In a city with enough variety, you won’t have to compromise with your friends, family, or even yourself about the next fun activity to do alone or together,” the author stated.
As cities continue to compete for the title of the most enjoyable place to live, Dallas is making its mark as a city that balances excitement with accessibility. With ongoing developments in entertainment and nightlife, the city is poised for further advancements in future rankings.
