Barking up the right tree

This Dallas suburb collars top spot among America's most pet-friendly cities

Plano boasts the nation's highest number of dog-friendly trails per capita.

Photo courtesy of DOGPOP

There’s no doubt that pet owners in Plano love their four-legged friends, and a new ranking of the most pet-friendly cities in America says just as much.

WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities in terms of pet budget, pet health and wellness, and outdoor pet-friendliness to determine the best and worst places for our furry friends. Plano ranks 28th best in the nation.

Plano impresses as the fifth-best city for a pet’s health and wellness, which the study determines by tallying up the number of veterinarians, animal trainers, caretakers, dog-friendly restaurants, and more per capita. The study also scores health and wellness in terms of home sizes, pet-friendliness in the rental market, and welcoming hotels.

Interestingly, while the city boasts the nation's highest number of dog-friendly trails per capita, Plano also has the second-fewest number of dog-friendly parks per capita, both contributing to its No. 31 ranking in outdoor pet-friendliness. The ranking also considered Plano's weather (No. 45), share of parklands (No. 47), and walk score (No. 67).

When it comes to costs, though, Plano is one of the most expensive cities in the country, ranking 93rd in pet budget, which factors in veterinary care costs (Plano ties for highest in the U.S.) and dog insurance premiums.

Despite the high costs, Plano ranks better overall than most other DFW cities, including Arlington (No. 46), Garland (No. 56), Dallas (No. 59), and Irving (No. 77). Fort Worth sneaks in just ahead of Plano, as the No. 25 most pet-friendly city in America.

Texas has no shortage of pet hot spots, according to WalletHub, with Austin ranking No. 4 overall, followed by San Antonio at No. 22 and Houston at No. 35. The top dog on the list is Scottsdale, Arizona. The least pet-friendly city, though, is Fresno, California.

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Fun times in the city

Dallas swings a spot on new list of most fun cities in U.S. for 2024

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Dallas just wants to have fun, according to WalletHub's new ranking of the most fun cities in America in 2024.

The annual report ranked Dallas No. 31 out of 182 U.S. cities.

WalletHub's experts compared each city using 65 metrics to determine their level of "fun." Metrics were split among three main categories: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost.

According to the study's findings, Dallas was 24th nationally in the category for nightlife and parties, and ranked No. 39 in the "entertainment and recreation" category. That may be especially alluring for anyone who wants to explore the city's vast entertainment opportunities (especially during the holiday season), family-friendly recreational activities, top dining destinations, and more. Plus, Dallas is home to entertainment juggernauts like the State Fair of Texas and TopGolf.

Dallas performed poorly in the overall cost category, earning No. 114 out of all 182 cities. However, this category mostly compares flat costs rather than affordability based on local cost of living.

Potential new Dallasites should do their research before deciding to move here, rather than basing their decision on short trips and vacations alone. But we won't blame them for wanting to live in one of the best cities in the world.

"The top cities offer affordable options for year-round fun for their residents, which is good for residents’ wallets and their mental health," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo in the report.

Austin (No. 6) and Houston (No. 9) were the only Texas cities to earn a spot in the top 10 most fun U.S. cities list. Austin moved up one spot from last year, while Houston made a 10-place jump.

Other fun-filled Texas cities that made it in the top 100 are El Paso (No. 53), Fort Worth (No. 55), Plano (No. 78), Arlington (No. 79), and Corpus Christi (No. 99).

The top 10 most fun U.S. cities are:

No. 1 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 2 – Orlando, Florida
No. 3 – Miami, Florida
No. 4 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 5 – New Orleans, Louisiana
No. 6 – Austin, Texas
No. 7 – San Francisco, California
No. 8 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 9 – Houston, Texas
No. 10 – New York City, New York

Cities were evaluated based on the number of attractions per capita, nightlife activities per capita, the average prices for eating at a restaurant or buying a movie ticket, and more. Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, The Trust for Public Land, and the Council for Community and Economic Research, among others.

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