Have a New Year’s resolution? These are the best and worst cities for keeping it

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If you’re having a hard time keeping your New Year’s resolution, a new study suggests you should consider this: Your location may be setting you up for failure.

Financial company WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on 57 metrics to determine where Americans are most likely to stick to their goals for 2025.

The metrics ranged from exercise opportunities to income growth to the employment outlook.

"Everyone has probably failed to keep a New Year’s resolution at one point, whether it’s losing weight, spending less money, quitting a vice or keeping up with a new hobby," Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said in a statement. "Living in the right city can do wonders for resolutions, though. For example, cities with good access to healthy food and exercise opportunities can make it much easier for people to improve their health. Cities with strong economies and good job markets can expedite finding a better career or improving your income. Finding out what your city excels in can help you set an achievable goal."

Seattle is best city for keeping New Year’s resolutions

The study found that Seattle is the best city for keeping New Year's resolutions, particularly those related to a person’s physical well-being.

The findings revealed that Seattle has the lowest percentage of physically inactive adults, at less than 13%, along with the sixth-lowest obesity rate in the country.

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The city also has the seventh-lowest percentage of adults who eat fruit less than once a day, too.

These statistics indicate that Seattle residents have good access to healthy food and places to work out, which may help even more people meet their health-related resolutions.

Seattle also stood out for its financial resolutions. The city has the second-lowest percentage of people who were delinquent on their debt payments and residents had very low levels of debt relative to their income.

People run on treadmills at a New York Sports Club January 2, 2003 in Brooklyn, New York. (Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Quitting smoking or other vices is another common New Year’s resolution, and Seattle has the lowest percentage of adults who smoke daily or on most days, the study revealed.

Top cities for Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

Seattle, WA
San Francisco, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
Austin, TX
Atlanta, GA
Portland, OR
Orlando, FL
San Diego, CA
Irvine, CA
Fremont, CA

San Francisco, Scottsdale also rank high

San Francisco also ranked high among the best cities for keeping a New Year’s resolutions because residents have had a lot of success with their financial and health resolutions.

Scottsdale, Arizona ranked as the third-best city for keeping New Year’s resolutions because of its opportunities for physical activity and career growth. Scottsdale boasts an extremely high number of fitness centers and weight loss centers per capita. As a result, it has the fourth-lowest percentage of adults who are physically inactive.