Kansas ranks as one of the least fun states: WalletHub study

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A recent study from WalletHub paints a bleak picture for Kansans as it places the Sunflower State near the bottom of its list of fun states to live in.

WalletHub released the results of its "Most Fun States in America (2024)" study on Monday, Aug. 20, ranking all 50 states of most to least fun based on a number of categories. Movie costs, accessibility to national parks and nightlife options are some of the indicators used in the study to determine which states are getting the most enjoyment.

“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," said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub analyst. "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.”

Kansas is ranked at 39 overall in the study. The Sunflower State is 39th for entertainment and recreation and placed 30th for nightlife. First place overall goes to Florida with West Virginia coming in last.

• Most fun states
  • 1 - Florida
  • 2 - California
  • 3 - Nevada
  • 4 - New York
  • 5 - Colorado
  • 6 - Illinois
  • 7 - Texas
  • 8 - Washington
  • 9 - Minnesota
  • 10 - Louisiana
• Least fun states
  • 40 - Indiana
  • 41 - North Dakota
  • 42 - Kentucky
  • 43 - New Hampshire
  • 44 - Connecticut
  • 45 - Vermont
  • 46 - Arkansas
  • 47 - Rhode Island
  • 48 - Delaware
  • 49 - Mississippi
  • 50 - West Virginia

WalletHub used the "Entertainment & Recreation" and "Nightlife" categories to come to its conclusions for the study. Each category was evaluated using 26 relevant metrics graded on a 100-point scale with a score of 100 indicating the highest number and variety of fun, cost-effective options. You can find the full study by clicking here.

Kansas Tourism shows there are numerous things to do in the Sunflower State as far as recreational activities, fun events and places to explore. You can learn more about things to do in Kansas by clicking here.

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