Best & Worst Cities for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions (2024)

Adam McCann, WalletHub Financial WriterJan 3, 2024

Adam McCann, WalletHub Financial Writer
Jan 3, 2024

It’s easy to make New Year’s resolutions. The hard part is keeping them. But before you blame yourself entirely for your previous lack of success, consider this: Your location may be setting you up for failure.

To determine where Americans are most likely to stick to their goals for 2024, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on 57 metrics that speak to their conduciveness to self-improvement. Metrics range from exercise opportunities to income growth to the employment outlook.

“The financial hangover from the holidays can be a doozy. Many people find themselves carrying debt from the holidays well into the new year. That’s why it is important for Americans to consider adding a financial resolution to their new year plan. This can go a long way toward reducing your financial stress, which can improve your overall well-being.”

Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst

Table of Contents

Main Findings

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Best Cities for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Health Resolutions Rank	Financial Resolutions Rank	School & Work Resolutions Rank	Bad-Habit Resolutions Rank	Relationship Resolutions Rank
1	Seattle, WA	67.86	9	3	51	29	3
2	San Francisco, CA	67.21	5	10	94	103	1
3	Scottsdale, AZ	66.84	1	15	10	42	25
4	Irvine, CA	64.76	3	41	5	5	71
5	San Diego, CA	64.53	6	105	72	48	5
6	Orlando, FL	64.46	21	101	2	39	12
7	Fremont, CA	64.09	2	2	100	4	90
8	Salt Lake City, UT	64.09	28	59	26	11	18
9	Austin, TX	63.92	42	39	28	44	7
10	San Jose, CA	63.26	17	8	134	2	37
11	Atlanta, GA	63.10	50	33	35	52	10
12	Overland Park, KS	63.00	49	1	8	10	79
13	Tampa, FL	62.75	25	95	12	57	15
14	Huntington Beach, CA	62.67	4	78	29	15	72
15	Portland, OR	62.22	18	23	135	113	6
16	Madison, WI	61.88	55	9	77	12	31
17	Columbia, MD	61.73	22	7	128	1	129
18	Plano, TX	61.65	43	13	21	6	62
19	Virginia Beach, VA	61.07	44	53	18	28	36
20	Honolulu, HI	61.02	10	151	121	38	9
21	Miami, FL	60.60	24	180	4	16	22
22	Denver, CO	60.52	15	32	151	149	8
23	Minneapolis, MN	60.48	66	4	132	76	20
24	Boise, ID	60.38	60	51	24	19	42
25	Las Vegas, NV	60.21	13	145	98	156	2
26	Raleigh, NC	60.20	48	42	65	17	35
27	Charlotte, NC	60.06	62	38	57	45	28
28	Portland, ME	59.84	37	18	71	85	39
29	Chicago, IL	59.65	76	17	166	96	4
30	Chandler, AZ	59.47	30	19	36	55	78
31	St. Petersburg, FL	59.46	16	73	11	137	44
32	Sacramento, CA	59.07	35	79	81	73	29
33	Los Angeles, CA	59.05	27	142	137	47	16
34	South Burlington, VT	58.97	33	12	3	37	160
35	Pittsburgh, PA	58.88	68	20	59	165	13
36	Charleston, SC	58.73	81	65	17	128	17
37	Washington, DC	58.56	23	46	178	126	11
38	Omaha, NE	58.35	86	6	107	60	40
39	Colorado Springs, CO	58.05	36	88	69	74	43
40	Fort Lauderdale, FL	57.94	26	156	40	59	47
41	Fargo, ND	57.67	105	47	85	13	49
42	Boston, MA	57.46	39	83	144	120	23
43	Tempe, AZ	57.46	47	80	87	68	50
44	Gilbert, AZ	57.37	52	16	20	54	114
45	Sioux Falls, SD	57.08	121	43	44	7	84
46	Lincoln, NE	57.05	111	14	89	36	51
47	Phoenix, AZ	57.01	41	58	104	87	53
48	Chesapeake, VA	56.77	95	63	25	34	69
48	Bismarck, ND	56.77	106	11	82	8	104
50	Pembroke Pines, FL	56.73	14	158	19	27	124
51	Durham, NC	56.71	71	52	33	30	103
52	West Valley City, UT	56.54	80	34	27	33	117
53	Grand Rapids, MI	56.43	110	40	47	21	80
54	New York, NY	56.00	57	162	180	14	19
55	Houston, TX	55.96	92	72	140	86	26
56	Albuquerque, NM	55.94	58	66	114	92	54
57	Cedar Rapids, IA	55.87	126	5	147	23	81
58	Dallas, TX	55.82	82	108	60	78	41
59	Henderson, NV	55.77	31	81	31	133	89
60	Fort Worth, TX	55.54	109	56	38	58	65
61	Garden Grove, CA	55.21	38	123	80	26	115
62	Jacksonville, FL	55.15	83	131	23	154	32
63	St. Paul, MN	54.93	88	21	167	97	48
64	Santa Clarita, CA	54.93	20	136	78	35	119
65	Oakland, CA	54.92	29	85	177	22	95
66	Pearl City, HI	54.91	32	93	22	40	176
67	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	54.85	59	113	16	66	125
68	Oceanside, CA	54.61	7	137	138	65	123
69	Spokane, WA	54.60	64	75	43	131	82
70	Reno, NV	54.55	65	118	41	163	45
71	Burlington, VT	54.42	72	70	126	63	94
72	Rapid City, SD	54.34	140	69	68	9	88
73	Columbus, OH	54.30	131	27	117	136	30
74	Santa Rosa, CA	54.11	12	100	141	79	157
75	San Antonio, TX	54.00	103	135	70	111	33
76	Glendale, CA	53.98	8	163	118	41	153
77	Cape Coral, FL	53.96	78	116	13	56	145
78	Nashua, NH	53.86	90	30	123	62	108
79	Chula Vista, CA	53.78	11	134	133	51	127
80	Jersey City, NJ	53.76	40	61	170	46	111
81	Warwick, RI	53.65	61	28	86	118	136
82	Peoria, AZ	53.58	89	50	52	69	134
83	Mesa, AZ	53.49	54	67	66	90	128
84	Louisville, KY	53.49	84	48	158	148	46
85	Des Moines, IA	53.20	137	26	110	53	77
86	Arlington, TX	53.18	87	109	42	61	109
87	Cincinnati, OH	53.15	113	84	143	171	21
88	St. Louis, MO	53.10	63	68	150	181	24
89	Aurora, IL	53.05	118	25	146	24	131
90	Nashville, TN	53.02	117	92	91	172	27
91	Kansas City, MO	53.02	153	31	109	127	34
92	Oklahoma City, OK	53.01	142	22	83	102	68
93	Juneau, AK	52.98	67	62	149	82	138
94	Glendale, AZ	52.94	69	120	99	101	87
95	Tulsa, OK	52.92	145	74	34	121	55
96	Anaheim, CA	52.89	34	160	145	31	116
97	Port St. Lucie, FL	52.85	101	110	9	64	151
98	Cheyenne, WY	52.71	157	36	39	20	149
99	Anchorage, AK	52.67	116	44	108	105	83
100	Billings, MT	52.40	100	37	116	135	93
101	El Paso, TX	52.40	112	139	103	71	56
102	Yonkers, NY	52.39	70	119	163	3	166
103	Huntsville, AL	52.36	170	35	7	108	91
104	Worcester, MA	52.32	93	96	95	77	105
105	Irving, TX	52.19	96	91	37	98	122
106	Missoula, MT	52.11	79	128	97	141	59
107	Providence, RI	52.10	124	117	73	121	57
108	Lexington-Fayette, KY	52.05	108	57	119	142	64
109	Vancouver, WA	52.02	45	86	168	107	126
110	Modesto, CA	51.88	46	77	142	130	140
111	Long Beach, CA	51.74	19	178	154	50	112
112	Rochester, NY	51.70	120	115	136	88	70
113	Aurora, CO	51.65	53	112	122	89	133
114	Tucson, AZ	51.64	74	130	152	129	60
115	Greensboro, NC	51.64	114	124	67	72	101
116	Salem, OR	51.42	94	99	88	104	130
117	Philadelphia, PA	51.30	73	49	173	178	38
118	Tacoma, WA	51.22	99	76	155	112	96
119	Riverside, CA	51.09	77	125	56	100	139
120	Tallahassee, FL	50.65	135	171	49	70	66
121	Milwaukee, WI	50.42	123	87	169	134	58
122	Casper, WY	50.36	143	60	74	124	120
123	Buffalo, NY	50.26	129	89	159	109	75
124	Springfield, MO	50.11	127	143	55	140	92
125	Fort Wayne, IN	50.00	141	54	61	83	147
126	Grand Prairie, TX	49.82	139	103	45	91	143
127	Manchester, NH	49.78	128	71	139	80	154
128	Indianapolis, IN	49.72	136	45	157	158	61
129	Santa Ana, CA	49.68	51	164	127	43	167
130	Garland, TX	49.62	102	94	62	94	164
131	Knoxville, TN	49.52	132	154	32	176	52
132	Richmond, VA	49.46	97	121	130	167	85
133	Chattanooga, TN	49.41	158	106	48	144	86
134	New Haven, CT	49.27	119	127	120	81	150
135	Columbia, SC	49.18	146	159	92	117	67
136	Fresno, CA	49.16	104	141	84	106	142
137	Nampa, ID	48.94	148	133	111	32	152
138	Fontana, CA	48.91	133	148	96	93	107
139	Oxnard, CA	48.83	56	149	171	67	178
140	Bakersfield, CA	48.50	98	98	129	157	132
141	Laredo, TX	48.12	177	82	1	115	165
142	Newport News, VA	48.10	125	147	79	114	158
143	Stockton, CA	47.95	85	126	153	84	173
144	New Orleans, LA	47.94	130	179	162	180	14
145	Amarillo, TX	47.86	159	111	46	138	137
146	Charleston, WV	47.82	171	29	6	175	148
147	Wichita, KS	47.67	164	24	112	160	110
148	Lubbock, TX	47.64	149	144	54	147	106
149	Norfolk, VA	47.53	156	152	93	153	73
150	Lewiston, ME	47.30	144	64	63	161	169
151	Fort Smith, AR	47.24	169	55	15	162	161
152	Las Cruces, NM	47.22	178	132	115	49	118
153	Baltimore, MD	47.08	122	104	160	179	76
154	Cleveland, OH	47.04	147	90	172	170	74
155	Hialeah, FL	46.99	91	182	30	18	181
156	Winston-Salem, NC	46.89	163	122	64	119	144
157	Little Rock, AR	46.62	154	102	76	150	163
158	Columbus, GA	46.37	150	138	53	132	172
159	Corpus Christi, TX	46.15	160	157	75	155	100
160	Mobile, AL	45.98	166	140	50	164	113
161	Akron, OH	45.83	161	107	156	139	121
162	Ontario, CA	45.80	138	170	106	95	159
163	Moreno Valley, CA	45.63	134	161	124	110	168
164	North Las Vegas, NV	45.06	115	166	148	159	141
165	Wilmington, DE	45.05	168	114	161	116	146
166	Bridgeport, CT	44.98	75	165	181	25	182
167	Toledo, OH	44.60	151	97	174	177	99
168	Brownsville, TX	44.35	182	146	14	75	174
169	Birmingham, AL	44.02	172	175	105	174	63
170	Baton Rouge, LA	43.95	152	169	176	152	102
171	Montgomery, AL	43.71	175	150	90	143	155
172	Detroit, MI	43.54	162	129	179	173	97
173	San Bernardino, CA	43.48	155	173	125	123	170
174	Fayetteville, NC	43.21	165	174	113	145	156
175	Memphis, TN	43.11	167	168	175	151	98
176	Dover, DE	42.33	176	172	101	99	180
177	Huntington, WV	41.42	173	153	58	182	135
178	Augusta, GA	40.46	174	155	165	168	171
179	Jackson, MS	39.98	181	167	164	125	162
180	Gulfport, MS	39.28	179	177	101	169	175
181	Shreveport, LA	39.12	180	176	131	166	177
182	Newark, NJ	39.11	107	181	182	146	179

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

In-Depth Look at the Top Cities for 2024

Seattle, WA

Seattle is the best city for keeping your New Year's resolutions, particularly those related to your physical and financial well-being. As a part of its strong focus on healthy living and an active lifestyle, the Emerald City offers easy access to fresh, locally sourced food, which can make it easier to maintain a healthy diet and achieve healthy lifestyle resolutions.

Seattle also has a low percentage of people who are delinquent on their debt payments, thanks in part to the robust job market and thriving tech industry in the area. Such an environment can make it easier to accomplish your financial resolutions.

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco came in second among the best cities for keeping your New Year’s resolutions in 2024 because residents have had a lot of success with their financial and health resolutions. San Franciscans have the lowest median loan debt per person and the third-highest median credit score, suggesting that many residents don’t even need to focus on financial resolutions this year.

This city also has the lowest percentage of obese adults due to the active lifestyle and wellness focus of its residents. The temperate climate and beautiful natural surroundings inspire people to engage in outdoor physical activities, which can help them maintain a positive outlook and reduce healthcare costs.

Scottsdale, AZ

The West’s Most Western Town ranks third among the best cities for keeping New Year’s resolutions in 2024 because of its opportunities for physical activity and career growth.

Scottsdale features the highest number of fitness establishments per capita and the lowest monthly fitness club fees. The city is also surrounded by the stunning Sonoran Desert and several hiking trails, which makes it easy for residents to stay active outdoors or find a peaceful retreat to improve their mental well-being.

If your resolutions involve career growth or job changes, the city offers a diverse job market as well as one of the highest median household incomes and highest employment growth rate in the country.

% of Obese Adults

Lowest

Lowest
1. San Francisco, CA
2. Fremont, CA
3. San Jose, CA
4. Irvine, CA
5. Pearl City, HI

Highest

Highest
T-177. Brownsville, TX
T-177. Huntington, WV
179. Jackson, MS
180. Birmingham, AL
181. Detroit, MI
182. Akron, OH

% of Adults Not Exercising

Lowest

Lowest
1. South Burlington, VT
2. Irvine, CA
3. Seattle, WA
4. Huntington Beach, CA
5. Scottsdale, AZ

Highest

Highest
178. Newark, NJ
T-179. Detroit, MI
T-179. Brownsville, TX
181. Laredo, TX
182. Hialeah, FL

Median Annual Income (Adjusted for Cost of Living)

Highest

Highest
T-1. Columbia, MD
T-1. Gilbert, AZ
T-1. Overland Park, KS
T-1. Fremont, CA
T-1. Scottsdale, AZ

Lowest

Lowest
178. Bridgeport, CT
179. Cleveland, OH
180. Hialeah, FL
181. Newark, NJ
182. Detroit, MI

Median Credit Score

Highest

Highest
1. Fremont, CA
2. Garden Grove, CA
T-3. San Francisco, CA
T-3. Scottsdale, AZ
T-3. Bismarck, ND

Lowest

Lowest
177. Detroit, MI
178. Jacksonville, FL
179. Las Vegas, NV
180. San Diego, CA
181. Corpus Christi, TX

% of Public Schools Rated by GreatSchools.org with above Average Score

Highest

Highest
1. Irvine, CA
2. Pearl City, HI
3. South Burlington, VT
4. Fremont, CA
5. Huntington Beach, CA

Lowest

Lowest
T-178. St. Louis, MO
T-178. Jackson, MS
T-178. Lewiston, ME
T-178. Columbia, SC
T-178. Burlington, VT

Unemployment Rate

Lowest

Lowest
T-1. Bismarck, ND
T-1. Fargo, ND
T-1. Lincoln, NE
T-1. Sioux Falls, SD
T-1. Miami, FL
T-1. Hialeah, FL

Highest

Highest
176. Stockton, CA
177. North Las Vegas, NV
178. Wilmington, DE
179. Newark, NJ
180. Detroit, MI

Prevalence of Adult Binge Drinking

Lowest

Lowest
1. Jackson, MS
2. Dover, DE
3. Huntington, WV
4. Birmingham, AL
5. North Las Vegas, NV

Highest

Highest
178. Cedar Rapids, IA
179. Madison, WI
180. Billings, MT
181. Charleston, SC
182. Missoula, MT

% of Adult Smokers

Lowest

Lowest
1. Fremont, CA
2. Irvine, CA
3. Seattle, WA
T-4. San Jose, CA
T-4. Columbia, MD

Highest

Highest
T-177. Toledo, OH
T-177. Rochester, NY
179. Huntington, WV
180. Akron, OH
181. Cleveland, OH
182. Detroit, MI

Restaurants per Capita

Most

Most
T-1. Miami, FL
T-1. Orlando, FL
T-1. Las Vegas, NV
T-1. San Francisco, CA
T-1. Los Angeles, CA

Fewest

Fewest
178. Moreno Valley, CA
179. Lewiston, ME
180. South Burlington, VT
181. West Valley City, UT
182. Pearl City, HI

Parkland Acres per Capita

Most

Most
T-1. Anchorage, AK
T-1. Honolulu, HI
T-1. Chesapeake, VA
T-1. Scottsdale, AZ
5. Fremont, CA

Fewest

Fewest
98. Stockton, CA
99. Miami, FL
100. Newark, NJ
101. Santa Ana, CA
102. Hialeah, FL

Ask The Experts

To gain some more insight into the challenges in keeping resolutions and tips for overcoming them, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

What tips do you have for people looking to improve their financial habits in the new year?
Why do so many people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions? What can they do to increase their odds of success?
What age-appropriate resolutions can help kids build skills and habits that will serve them well into adulthood?
Without a doubt, inflation has affected Americans’ financial plans. Given that paying off debt or saving a lot of money might not be feasible plans for the time being, what should people keep in mind in order to make – and keep – realistic financial resolutions?
Does using the phrasing of “New Year’s Resolutions” deter people from making them? How else can we refer to them?

Ask the Experts

Ellen Langer
Professor, Department of Psychology – Harvard University
Read More

Mark Muraven
Ph.D. – Professor & Chair, Department of Psychology – University at Albany
Read More

Michelle van Dellen
Ph.D. – Professor & Chair, Behavioral and Brain Sciences Program, Social Psychology – University of Georgia
Read More

James Diller
Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA – Professor & Chair, Department of Psychological Science – Eastern Connecticut State University
Read More

Brady J. Phelps
Ph.D. – Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Behavior Analyst – South Dakota State University
Read More

Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

Set Realistic Goals: Ensure that your resolutions are both practical and well-defined. Having a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish will set you up for success. Also, sharing your goals with others can provide motivation and support. Consider sharing your resolutions with a friend or relative, or finding a partner who can hold you accountable and keep you on track.
Make a Plan and Break It Down: It can be helpful to break down your resolution into smaller, achievable steps or goals, making the overall objective less overwhelming and easier to track. Make sure to create a clear and actionable plan for each of these milestones and your ultimate goal. Write down the necessary steps you need to take and set specific deadlines for each one.
Be Positive and Adaptable: Maintaining a positive and adaptable approach is essential for achieving your resolutions, as life is unpredictable, and circumstances may change. Keeping a positive attitude is crucial for staying motivated. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, focus on your progress and celebrate your victories, no matter how small they seem. Additionally, be open to adjusting your resolutions or plans as necessary to ensure you stay on track.
Stay Consistent and Patient: Consistency and patience are crucial to achieving your resolutions. Integrating your new habits into your daily routine is essential, and remember that change requires time. It's normal to experience setbacks during the process, so don't become disheartened if you don't see immediate results.

Methodology

In order to determine the best cities for keeping your New Year’s resolutions, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across five key dimensions: 1) Health Resolutions, 2) Financial Resolutions, 3) School & Work Resolutions, 4) Bad-Habit Resolutions and 5) Relationship Resolutions.

We evaluated those dimensions using 57 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for achieving one’s New Year’s goals. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available only at the state level. For metrics marked with two asterisks (**), we used the square root of the population to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the city proper in each case, excluding cities in the surrounding metro area.

Health Resolutions – Total Points: 20

Share of Obese Adults: Double Weight (~4.00 Points)
Share of Adults Not Exercising: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Access to Exercise Opportunities: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Access to Healthy-Food Stores: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Inadequate Fruit & Vegetable Consumption*: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of adults who eat fewer than one serving of fruit or vegetables per day.
Share of Residents Who Say They Eat Healthy: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric is based on Gallup and Sharecare's 2016 Community Rankings for Healthy Eating report, which examines healthy eating across the nation.
Fitness Centers per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Weight-Loss Centers per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Average Monthly Fitness-Club Fee: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)

Financial Resolutions – Total Points: 20

Median Annual Income: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living.
Income Growth (2017–2021): Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Median Credit Score: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Median Credit-Card Debt: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: “Debt” was calculated per person as share of median earnings.
Share of Delinquent Debtors: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Mortgage Debt: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: “Debt” was calculated per person as share of median earnings.
Non-Mortgage Debt: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: “Debt” was calculated per person as share of median earnings.
Debt-to-Income Ratio: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Share of Households with Emergency Savings: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of households that saved for unexpected expenses or emergencies in the past 12 months.
Homeownership Rate: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Rental Affordability: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Annual Price for Two-Bedroom Apartment Rental / Median Annual Household Income.
Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Median House Price / Median Annual Household Income.
Poverty Rate: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Financial-Products Comparison: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
Note: This metric measures the real intent of the population to compare “credit cards”, “mortgage rates”, “car insurance” and “car loans”. “Real intent” is measured using the average monthly search volumes for those specific terms.

School & Work Resolutions – Total Points: 20

Share of Public Schools Rated by GreatSchools.org with Above Average Score: Double Weight (~2.50 Points)
Average Quality of Universities: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Note: This metric measures the average WalletHub “College & University Score”.
High School Dropout Rate: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Job Opportunities: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Number of Job Openings per Number of Population in Labor Force – Unemployment Rate.
Median Annual Income: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living.
Income Growth (2017–2021): Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Unemployment Rate: Double Weight (~2.50 Points)
Underemployment Rate: Double Weight (~2.50 Points)
Job Security: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: (Number of Employees in 2023 August – Number of Employees in 2022 August) / Number of Employees in 2022 August.
Job Satisfaction: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Sharecare’s Community Well-Being “Purpose” Index Score: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Note: The “Purpose” Rank is defined as “Liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals.”
Employment Outlook: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Note: This metric is based on the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
Business Startup-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.25 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best Large Cities to Start a Business” ranking.

Bad-Habit Resolutions – Total Points: 20

Binge Drinking: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Note: This metric measures the age-adjusted prevalence of binge drinking among adults aged 18 and older.
Share of Adult Smokers: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Share of Marijuana Users: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of the population aged 12 and older who used marijuana in the past month.
Access to Opioids: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of opioid pain-reliever prescriptions per 100 residents.
Drug Overdose-Related Deaths: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Share of Adults with Gambling Disorders*: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Share of Adults with Inadequate Sleep: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of adults sleeping fewer than seven hours per night.
Share of Adults in Fair or Poor Health: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
Share of Adults Who Visited a Doctor and/or Dentist in the Past Year: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)

Relationships Resolutions – Total Points: 20

Nightlife Establishments per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Restaurants per Capita**: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Attractions: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: “Attractions” include, for instance, zoos, museums and theaters.
Playgrounds per Capita: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Parkland Acres per Capita: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Average Wedding Cost: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: “Cost” was calculated as share of median earnings.
Family-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family” ranking.
Fun Opportunities: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Most Fun Cities in America” ranking.
Singles-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Singles” ranking.
Sports Fan-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best Sports Cities” ranking.
Sharecare’s Community Well-Being “Social” Index Score: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: The “Social” Rank is defined as “Having supportive relationships and love in your life.”
Share of Residents Who Regularly Talk or Spend Time with Friends and Family: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of November 29, 2023 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Council for Community and Economic Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Wedding Report, County Health Rankings, Yelp, Numbeo, TransUnion, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, GreatSchools, Corporation for National and Community Service, National Council on Problem Gambling, Indeed, Chmura Economics & Analytics, ManpowerGroup, Google Ads, Sharecare, TripAdvisor, The Trust for Public Land, Gallup – Sharecare and WalletHub research.

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