Because why not?
The study, released last month by the website, analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Google Keywords and the Well-Being Index of Sharecare for the 50 most populated U.S. cities. It focused on factors like the amount of single-person households, online dating activity and people searching for advice on loneliness.
Mesa ranked fourth overall on SmutFinder’s study of the least lonely cities. The East Valley city — which fittingly boasts the motto "Better Together" — was behind Arlington, Texas; Bakersfield, Calif. and Fort Worth, Texas.
According to the study, Mesa had the fifth-lowest ratio of single-person households and low search volumes for both online dating and loneliness advice.
The influx of new restaurants, bars and nightspots into Mesa in recent years — particularly in its revitalized downtown area — also played a role, as the study noted that Mesa also offers its residents “many opportunities to connect and build meaningful relationships.”
Phoenix and Tucson, the only other Arizona municipalities included in the SmutFinder’s study, were ranked as the 12th and and 29th least lonely cities overall.
Mesa has previously been ranked as one of the top 10 most family-oriented cities in the U.S. in 2024. A separate study last year also cited the Valley suburb as one of the best places for first-time home buyers in the country.
Here’s a complete rundown of the most and least lonely U.S. cities, according to SmutFinder's study:
Most lonely U.S. cities
- Atlanta
- Miami
- Minneapolis
- Seattle
- Baltimore
- Denver
- Boston
- Tampa, Fla.
- Las Vegas
- Washington, D.C.
Least lonely U.S. cities
- Arlington, Texas
- Bakersfield, Calif.
- Fort Worth. Texas
- Mesa
- San Jose, Calif.
- Fresno, Calif.
- Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Oklahoma City
- Jacksonville, Fla.
- Virginia Beach, Va.
