Austin makes big strides among nation's best cities for an active life

Austin Congress Avenue Bridge paddle board Lady Bird Lake Town Colorado River

Keep moving, Austin. Congress Avenue Kayaks/Facebook

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If your goal for 2019 is to develop a consistent fitness regimen and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you're in the right place.

According to WalletHub, Austin ranks 18 out of 100 in the personal finance website's annual list of the best and worst cities in America for an active lifestyle. Think being in the top 20 isn't that impressive? In 2016, Austin was all the way down at No. 54.

To get its list, WalletHub evaluated 38 key indicators of an active lifestyle through two main categories: budget and participation and sports and outdoors. Some of the 38 factors included monthly fitness club fees, average cost of sports apparel, number of basketball hoops, and — curiously — the cost of bowling.

Last year, WalletHub named Austin as one of the least-stressed cities in Texas, so this new accolade more than makes sense.

Among major Texas cities, Houston was the second-highest at No. 42, followed by Dallas (No. 53), Lubbock (No. 57), San Antonio (No. 61), Plano (No. 68), Laredo (No. 71), El Paso (No. 80), Fort Worth (No. 84), and Corpus Christi (No. 89).

Making a particularly bad showing were the three Texas cities in the bottom 10: Garland (No. 92), Arlington (No. 95), and Irving (No. 97).

Notably, El Paso ranked second for having the lowest monthly fitness club fees, but No. 77 for the highest percentage of physically inactive residents. Fort Worth scored a dismal 94th for the fewest swimming pools per capita, while Irving is No. 97 in fewest basketball hoops per capita.

So, other than Austin, where should the fit-minded be calling home? Honolulu is tops, followed by Chicago; San Francisco; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle.

fitness health promoted rankings reports wallethub

Fred Cantú's final broadcast is March 31. Fred Cantú/Facebook

Austinites will say goodbye to a longtime media friend when CBS TV anchor Fred Cantú signs off for the final time. A final broadcast on March 31 at 6:30 pm will celebrate Uncle Fred's more than 50 years on air.

Cantú technically signed off as a reporter on Friday, March 28. The Monday broadcast will be a special newscast dedicated to "Fred's Farewell," he told the Austin-American Statesman.

Cantú thanked everyone who had supported him throughout the years, including those in his stories, the other anchors, and especially his wife of 49 years. He also seemed relieved to abandon his 1 am alarm clock.

Born and raised in Brownville, Texas, Cantú started his career in the Rio Grande Valley before moving to Austin in 1980. He is a graduate of the University of Texas, where he studied electrical engineering. (His biography section on his website calls him a "notorious gadget head."

In reporting, he is known for his warmth and humor — as the nickname "Uncle Fred" reflects — and many viewers reflect with nostalgia on growing up with him on their screens. He has won Best TV Anchor in the Austin Chronicle's readers' poll five times, as well as a first place Texas AP Award for Best Feature.

Cantú announced his retirement in late February of 2025.

In the announcement he said, "Being in this business is all I ever wanted to do, even as a child. And I got to do it for 53 years, my entire working career."

Tune in to CBS Austin News at 6:30 pm on March 31 to see the final broadcast.

media

The Fit List

Austin makes big strides among nation's best cities for an active life

The Fit List

Austin makes big strides among nation's best cities for an active life

Fred's Farewell

Austin broadcasting icon Fred Cantú signs off after 53 years

Fred's Farewell

Austin broadcasting icon Fred Cantú signs off after 53 years