Portland Ranked 12th Most Fun City in U.S.

Monday, September 19, 2016
GoLocalPDX News Team

Portland has been ranked as the 12th most fun city in the country, according to a recent study done by WalletHub. 

"We define such a place as one that packs a little bit of everything for everyone — except maybe Johnny Knoxville and his extreme-thrill-seeking posse. In a city with enough variety, you won’t have to compromise with your amigos, your family or even yourself about the next fun activity to do alone or together," said WalletHub. 

Portland ranks 17th in entertainment and recreation, 5th in entertainment and parties and 108th in costs. 

The Rankings 

Portland ranks 12th behind Scottsdale, Arizona and Tampa, Florida at 10 and 11, while ranking ahead of Tempe, Arizona and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at 13 and 14 respectively

Oxnard, California is ranked as the least fun city, while Las Vegas, Nevada is ranked as the most fun city. 

For the full rankings, see the map below. 

The Method 

To identify the most fun cities in America, WalletHub's analysts compared the 150 most populated U.S. cities across three  categories, entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and costs. 

They then evaluated the categories using 51 relevant metrics. Each metric was graded on a 100 point scale, with 100 being the best score. 

WalletHub then calculated overall scores for each city using the weighted average across all metrics, which they then used to construct the final ranking. 

Entertainment & Recreation - Total Points: 40

• Number of Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Public Beaches per Capita: Half Weight (~0.65 Points)
• Number of Tennis Courts per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Public Golf Courses per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Public Swimming Pools per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Ball Diamonds per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Basketball Hoops per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Bike-Rental Facilities per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Fishing Spots per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Hiking Trails per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Boat Tours & Water Sports per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Water Parks per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Restaurants per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Ice Cream & Frozen-Yogurt Shops per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Movie Theaters per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Attractions: Double Weight (~2.58 Points)
• WalletHub “Sports Fans” Ranking: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)

Note: Includes football, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer.

• Percentage of the Population with Walkable Park Access: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Percentage of Designed Parkland Areas: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Parks” List: Half Weight (~0.65 Points)
• Number of Park Playgrounds per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Parkland as Percentage of City Area: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Acres of Parkland per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• WalletHub “Weather” Ranking: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Arcades per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Amusement Parks per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Sport Venues per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Fitness Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Recreational-Sport Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)
• Number of Festivals per Capita: Full Weight (~1.29 Points)

Nightlife & Parties - Total Points: 40

• “Access to Bars” Grade: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)

Note: This grade is a combination of bars per capita and bars per square mile, a measure of both availability (per capita) and proximity (per square mile).

• Number of Dance Clubs per Capita: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Number of Casinos per Capita: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Number of Beer Gardens per Capita: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Number of Music Venues per Capita: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Dance Party Index: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Number of Arts & Crafts-Supplies Establishments per Capita: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Public Drinking Allowed: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Time of Last Call: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
• Average Open Hours of Breweries: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)

Costs - Total Points: 20

• Average Price of Party Ticket: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
• Average Beer Price: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)

Note: This metric measures the price of a 6-pack Heineken (12 oz. containers), excluding any deposit.

• Average Wine Price: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
• Average Food Price (Pizza & Burger): Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
• Prevalence of Affordable Restaurants Rated at Least 4.5 Stars: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
• Movie Costs: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
• Bowling Costs: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
• Average Fitness-Club Fee: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
• Price for a 3-Star Hotel Room: Full Weight (~1.82 Points)
• Cost of Living: Double Weight (~3.64 Points)