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15 Most Boring Cities in America

These 15 U.S. cities may offer affordability or space, but they consistently rank the lowest for dining, nightlife, and entertainment options.

A woman bored
Updated June 21, 2025
Fact checked

There are numerous exciting cities throughout the U.S., each filled with vibrant culture, thriving nightlife, outdoor adventures, and fine dining. However, there are still plenty of places in America where excitement is lacking and boredom rules.

One of the smartest money moves as a homeowner is to live in a place with close access to things that excite you. Living in a boring city can only work for so long before ennui sets in.

Here are the 15 most boring cities in the country, as ranked by FinanceBuzz. Our scoring criteria included factors such as population makeup, culinary scene, access to outdoor adventures, nightlife, and recreational activities.

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Tulsa, Oklahoma – 23.3

Hove Photography/Adobe downtown tulsa oklahoma

Tulsa has a vibrant history, but it falls short in nightlife and culinary diversity by quite a bit. With fewer than five music venues per 100,000 people, there's very little going on.

Colorado Springs, Colorado – 23.1

Neil/Adobe downtown colorado springs with pikes peak

While there are plenty of outdoor adventures and scenic beauty, Colorado Springs has little else going on. Lack of nightlife, food diversity, and a remote location make it lack the zest of other parts of the country.

Lexington, Kentucky – 22.7

Christopher Boswell/Adobe lexington kentucky

There's some southern charm in Lexington, but little else is going on. With low scores in nightlife and a lack of serious attractions, you'll have to make your own fun most of the time.

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Louisville, Kentucky – 21.9

Christopher Boswell/Adobe Louisville Kentucky on the Ohio River

Besides the Kentucky Derby, there's a significant lack of cultural events in Louisville. Without a diverse music/art scene and loads of chain restaurants, there's something sorely lacking here in what could be a very charming city.

Albuquerque, New Mexico – 21.6

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Cityscape

Given its remote location, it's no surprise that Albuquerque scores low in nightlife and culinary categories. Besides outdoor adventures, there's little else to do in this mountain town.

Phoenix, Arizona – 20.5

tim/Adobe scottsdale arizona downtown phoenix

The city seems to be growing more every year, but there's little else to entertain that population. Phoenix has 1.7 concert venues per 100,000 residents, which is the third-lowest of any city in the country, so there's little to do, especially during the blazing summer months.

Tallahassee, Florida – 20.5

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe tallahassee florida usa with purple sky

This bustling college town has youthful energy but little else. So if college tailgating isn't your favorite thing, you're going to be bored by the lack of cultural amenities, concert venues, and outdoor adventures.

Columbus, Ohio – 20.3

f11photo/Adobe columbus ohio skyline

Another big-time college town that will bore you quickly unless you're going to an Ohio State football game. The city has some of the lowest numbers of nightclubs and must-see attractions per capita in the country.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – 20.0

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe oklahoma city oklahoma

The city lacks robust outdoor adventures and has a poor parks score. 53% of all restaurants are chains, so there's a dearth of culinary options as well. Unless you're a big NBA fan, you'll find there's little else to do in Oklahoma's capital beyond watching the Thunder.

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San Antonio, Texas – 19.2

Kevin Ruck/Adobe san antonio texas

San Antonio is home to numerous historical attractions, including the Alamo and the River Walk. However, beyond that, there is little else to do, as the city ranks low in terms of nightlife, events, and concert venues.

Memphis, Tennessee – 19.0

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe memphis tennessee skyline over beale street

Despite a vibrant music scene, there's little else going on in Memphis. The city has the fewest hiking trails per capita of any locale on this list. And if you're not a big music fan, you'll find even fewer nightlife options.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota – 18.2

Susan/Adobe Lovely park Sioux City South Dakota

The remote location and sparse population make Sioux Falls a less-than-ideal place for interesting eateries and nightlife attractions. While there is plenty of wilderness surrounding the city, 58 percent of the restaurants are chains, the highest in the country.

Corpus Christi, Texas – 14.8

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe corpus christi skyline during sunset

Located way at the bottom of the state, there is little to do in Corpus Christi. With no award-winning restaurants and a lack of sports teams and concerts, you'll really have to love beach life if you want to live here.

Wichita, Kansas – 14.7

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe buildings and monuments in wichita kansas during day time

While the city has the largest population in the state of Kansas, there's a significant lack of food options and tourist attractions. There are a lot of outdoor activities to do, but without a bustling nightlife or cosmopolitan bent, you'll find there's little else to do.

Jacksonville, Florida – 14.3

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe jacksonville, florida, usa city skyline

Believe it or not, Jacksonville is actually the largest city in the U.S. by area, spanning a whopping 875 square miles. Still, that means a super low population density and a lack of nightclubs and restaurants. Since everything is so spread out and public transit is nonexistent, you'll have to find ways to entertain yourself at home.

Bottom line

Drazen/Adobe Confused couple of tourists

These sprawling metropolises might have all the trappings of fun cities, but they lack the interesting things that keep citizens engaged. One of the most surprising financial mistakes you can make is relocating to a city lacking in excitement and entertainment. Not just that, but the majority of the cities on this list are filled with chain restaurants, which limit your healthy food options when you go out to eat.

To get the best of both worlds, consider moving out to the suburbs of a major metro area, or move to a place that has exactly the kind of excitement you're looking for. If you're going to live there, you might as well have fun too.

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