Texas Cities Among “Grinchiest” In The Nation For Holiday Cheer, Report Finds

This might come as a surprise but not everybody loves the holidays! A recent analysis by financial data outlet FinanceBuzz ranked U.S. cities based on holiday activities and events, revealing some surprising results.

KXAN highlighted the report, noting that while San Antonio held the “Grinchiest” city title last year, this year, Los Angeles snagged the dubious honor. Texas cities showed improvement, avoiding the top spot but still making a notable presence, with four landing in the top 20.

FinanceBuzz assessed 75 major U.S. cities using a range of holiday-related factors, including shopping and charitable giving data, Google Trends searches, and more. Each city received a score out of 100, with lower scores indicating less holiday cheer.

Houston ranked fourth overall with a holiday score of just 36.5. The city’s low rate of annual charitable giving, one of the 10 lowest in the U.S., and minimal volunteer activities contributed to its less-than-merry rating.

San Antonio followed closely in fifth place, with a score of 26.7. The city’s low number of holiday events—only about 18.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to an average of 156 for cities studied—played a significant role in its ranking.

Corpus Christi and Austin also made the list, coming in at 13th and 18th, with scores of 29.9 and 31.7, respectively.

Despite these rankings, Texas cities still have opportunities to embrace the season’s spirit. Increasing charitable giving, volunteer activities, and community events could brighten future holidays.