Plano is among the top ten Best Cities for Keeping New Years’ Resolutions, partly because it has a low share of marijuana users, a small number of drug overdose-related deaths, and the highest median annual income, according to a new study.
“It means the city’s residents are less prone to smoking or drug addiction,” said Jill Gonzalez, an analyst for WalletHub. “A high income means that the city’s residents are more likely to keep any financial or work-related resolution they might have. When people have a high income, it’s easier for them to accomplish resolutions such as saving or investing more.”
The 2022 Best Cities For New Years’ Resolutions ranked Plano 8th, compared to its placement of 11th last year, when the city had a 59.1% homeownership rate.
The WalletHub report listed Dallas in 60th place out of 182 cities and Fort Worth at No. 71, with homeownership rates of 40.86% and 57.4%, respectively.
“Cities with a high homeownership rate and affordable rents make it easier for someone to keep their financial resolutions,” Gonzalez told The Dallas Express. “This is because the two metrics are an indication that the real estate market is affordable, but also that the residents earn enough money to be able to live comfortably.”
Overall, Scottsdale, Arizona landed the top spot as the best city for keeping New Years’ resolutions due to its lowest share of adults not exercising at 17% and the most weight loss centers per capita, according to WalletHub data.
“The areas where Plano would need to improve include the share of residents who say they eat healthy, income growth, the underemployment rate, binge drinking, the number of nightlife establishments per capita, the number of attractions, and singles- and sports fan-friendliness,” Gonzalez said in an interview.
WalletHub research found that the number of obese adults in Plano was 29.1% compared to 34.5% in Dallas and 39.1% in Fort Worth.
“The lower the share of obese adults, the higher the chances of keeping your health resolutions, especially if they’re related to losing weight,” Gonzalez said. “This is because you will feel more encouraged to exercise and reach your goals.”
The study further found that the unemployment rate in Plano is the lowest of the three North Texas cities at 3.8% compared to 4.8% in Dallas and 4.9% in Fort Worth.
“Employment is important with regards to people’s work resolutions,” Gonzalez said. “If a city has a strong labor market, people are more likely to find good jobs and higher salaries.”
Having an above-average score on GreatSchools.org is another indicator that residents will keep their New Year’s resolutions, according to Gonzalez.
“It increases the likelihood of people sticking to their education-related resolutions,” she said.
Some 46.67% of Plano’s public schools are rated with an above-average score while 20.88% of public schools in Dallas are rated above average and Fort Worth has 15.61% of its public schools rating above average.
Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, and Garland ranked in the bottom half of 2022’s Best Cities to Keep New Years’ Resolution at No. 96, No. 101, No. 125, and No. 128, respectively.
