Which cities have the most overweight, obese populations?

WalletHub released its report on 2025's Most Overweight and Obese Cities in the United States, noting that the company compared 100 of the most populated U.S. metro areas across 19 key metrics. 

The company’s data set ranges from the share of physically inactive adults to projected obesity rates by 2030 to healthy-food access.

Most Overweight & Obese Cities:     

1. McAllen, Texas           

2. Little Rock, Ark.        

3. Jackson, Miss.           

4. Mobile, Ala.              

5. Knoxville, Tenn.          

6. Shreveport, La.       

7. Augusta, Ga.           

8. Lafayette, La.          

9. Fayetteville, Ark.       

10. Birmingham, Ala.    

11. Memphis, Tenn. 

12. Oklahoma City, Okla.

13. San Antonio, Texas

14. Baton Rouge, La.

15. Chattanooga, Tenn.

16. Wichita, Kan.

17. New Orleans, La.

18. Columbia, S.C.

19. Myrtle Beach, S.C.

20. El Paso, Texas

The McAllen, Texas, metro area has the highest share of obese adults, which is 2.4 times higher than in Asheville, N.C., the metro area with the lowest.

[Read more: Which states are the happiest?]

The McAllen, Texas, metro area has the highest share of physically inactive adults, which is 2.7 times higher than in Provo, Utah, the metro area with the lowest.

The Knoxville, Tenn. metro area has the highest share of diabetic adults, which is 2.5 times higher than in Bridgeport, Conn., the metro area with the lowest.

The Shreveport, La., metro area has the highest share of adults with high blood pressure, which is 1.8 times higher than in San Jose, Calif., the metro area with the lowest. 

“Obesity is becoming more and more prevalent in the United States, and it’s costing us big time," said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst. "In the most overweight and obese cities, residents often lack easy access to healthy food and recreation opportunities, so investing in those areas should help improve people’s diets and exercise regimens, and reduce the financial burden overall.”

Lupo added, “McAllen, Texas, ranks as the most overweight metro area in the country, with 45% of adults being obese and an additional 31% being overweight but not obese. McAllen residents are also very affected by weight-related diseases, with the eighth-highest diabetes rate and the fourth-highest heart-disease rate. A major contributing factor to McAllen’s obesity is that it has the second-lowest percentage of residents who live close to parks or recreational facilities, which leads to many people being inactive." 

[Read more: Which states have the cleanest eating habits?]

Kim Doughty, assistant professor, undergraduate program director, public health at Fairfield University, has a tip for eating healthy without breaking the bank: “Preparing food at home is itself a luxury that not everyone can afford, but dining out less and eating home-cooked meals more often will generally result in both a more healthful diet and reduced spending. I would suggest preparing meals and snacks in bulk when time allows, portion them out and refrigerate or freeze for quick and easy access later."

Doughty added, "There are many healthful, lower-cost foods consumers can rely on; for example: whole-grain breads, pastas and cereals are nutrient-dense sources of carbohydrates and beans, peanut butter and chicken breast are relatively affordable protein sources. Save on fresh produce by buying what is in season and planning meals around what is on sale. Frozen fruits and vegetables can be a great option to avoid waste if fresh produce won’t be eaten quickly.”