New York is the fifth-most fun state, according to a new WalletHub study.
How does one define fun? What is considered a "fun state" could be very subjective and depend on a variety of factors.
Some could look for fun in their state through nightlife or entertainment, while others could define their fun through sports teams or access to public nature spots. Regardless of what your definition of fun looks like, living in a state that offers access to the things you love can ultimately provide a better living experience, according to WalletHub.
"Living in one of the most fun states can boost your mental, physical and emotional health by giving you a wide range of activities to choose from, both indoor and outdoor," WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said.
"These states help residents stay active and socialize, and they’re also ideal for travelers who want to make the most out of the limited amount of time that they have to explore."
To determine the most ideal states, "with fun and affordability in mind," WalletHub compared all 50 states across 26 indicators of cost-efficient, enjoyable activities, ranging from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita.
Here is what to know about New York's ranking.
How fun is New York State?
New York is the fifth-most fun state in America, with an overall score of 58.40, according to WalletHub.
The Empire State scored the No. 4 spot for the entertainment & recreation rank and No. 3 for the nightlife rank. New York's high score reflects its high accessibility to a variety of activities and places to explore, including:
- Tying for first place for most restaurants per capita with California, Florida and Texas
- Tying for first place for most marinas per capita with Florida, Connecticut, Maryland and Massachusetts
- Tying for first place for most performing arts theaters per capita with California
- It has the fourth-most golf courses and country clubs per capita
- It has the fourth-most fitness centers per capita
- And New York has the third-most movie theaters per capita.
WalletHub's 10 most fun states
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- Nevada
- New York
- Colorado
- Washington
- Texas
- Minnesota
- Arizona
WalletHub's 10 least fun states
- No. 50: West Virginia
- No. 49: Mississippi
- No. 48: Vermont
- No. 47: Arkansas
- No. 46: Delaware
- No. 45: Rhode Island
- No. 44: Connecticut
- No. 43: New Hampshire
- No. 42: Alabama
- No. 41: Maine
How WalletHub assessed most and least fun states
To determine the most fun states in America, WalletHub compared all 50 states across two categories: entertainment & recreation and nightlife.
The entertainment & recreation category analyzed these factors:
- Number of attractions
- Variety of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments
- Ideal weather
- Restaurants per capita
- Amusement parks per capita
- Golf courses & country clubs per capita
- Movie theaters per capita
- Fitness centers per capita
- Skiing facilities per capita
- Marinas per capita
- Shoreline mileage
- Beach quality
- Access to scenic byways
- Number of state fairs & events per capita
- Access to national parks
- Personal spending on recreation services per capita
- State & local direct general expenditures on parks & recreation per capita
The nightlife category analyzed these factors:
- Average beer & wine price
- Movie costs
- Nightlife options per capita
- "Access to bars" grade
- Time of last call
- Music festivals per capita
- Performing arts theaters per capita
- Casinos per capita
Data used to create the ranking was collected as of July 21, 2026, and was sourced from multiple entities, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Park Service, TripAdvisor, American Gaming Association and WalletHub research.
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York State. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't helpfamilies with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York lands in top five for most fun states
