The best cities in the United States for food lovers have been identified in a recent study by WalletHub, with Florida leading the pack. WalletHub’s 2024 list of the best cities for foodies ranks over 180 major cities based on 28 key indicators related to food-friendliness. Chip Lupo, an analyst at WalletHub, spoke with Fox News Digital in a video interview and highlighted factors such as the accessibility and affordability of high-quality restaurants with ratings of 4.5 stars or higher.
Lupo mentioned that among the top 10 foodie cities, while they scored well in diversity, accessibility, and quality, many ranked low in terms of affordability. Despite the high prices at restaurants, food enthusiasts are willing to pay more for a top-notch dining experience, even in the current economic climate. The list of top foodie cities for 2024 saw a reshuffling from the previous year, with Orlando, last year’s top-ranked city, now in third place.
The top 10 cities for foodies in the US are as follows:
10. San Diego
9. Denver
8. Seattle
7. Las Vegas
6. Sacramento
5. Tampa
4. Portland
3. Orlando
2. San Francisco
1. Miami
Miami was crowned the best city in the United States for food lovers due to the high availability of affordable restaurants with excellent ratings. This, combined with a high number of restaurants per capita and quality dining options, contributed to Miami’s top ranking. Additionally, Miami is the city with the third-highest number of farmers markets, indicating a strong home cooking culture.
Florida as a state performed well overall, with three cities in the top five. The state’s lack of state income tax, higher disposable income for residents, and a business-friendly environment were cited as contributing factors to Florida’s success in the foodie rankings. On the flip side, cities like Shreveport, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Nampa, Idaho; and Montgomery, Alabama, ranked lower on the list, with Pearl City, Hawaii, coming in last due to the high cost of living and lack of affordability.
Lupo emphasized the importance of promoting a diverse lineup of fine dining options in cities like Pearl City to improve their ranking in future reports. For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle. Brittany Kasko, a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital, contributed to this report.
