Funniest Cities

Tomorrow is April Fools' Day, but which city is going to laugh loudest? From New York to New Orleans, The Daily Beast ranks the 30 Funniest Cities in America. Where does your hometown rank?

Ben Blankenburg

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/funniest-cities-intro_jrvxni — Tomorrow is April Fools' Day, but which city is going to laugh loudest? From New York to New Orleans, The Daily Beast ranks the 30 Funniest Cities in America. Where does your hometown rank?
Lucas Jackson / Reuters-Landov

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/immigration-cities---18-austin_ydcp5g — Adult population (metro area): 1,352,091
Consider themselves to be funny: 26%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 35%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 49%
Usually watch comedic movies: 49%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1. 8%

Local punch line: You know you’re in Austin when your co-worker tells you they have eight body piercings—and none are visible.
Ben Blankenburg

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/smartest-cities---new-orleans_wztfrw — Adult population (metro area): 1,148,004
Consider themselves to be funny: 28%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 50%
Usually watch comedic movies: 41%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.5%

Local punch line: You know you’re from New Orleans if you didn't learn until high school that Mardi Gras is not a national holiday.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/funniest-cities---waco-texas_ngerea — Adult population (metro area): 703,514
Consider themselves to be funny: 24%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 51%
Usually watch comedic movies: 44%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 2%

Local punch line: You know you’re in Waco if Walmart is the coolest place to hang out.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/love-cities---atlanta_in9x7t — Adult population (metro area): 4,809,843
Consider themselves to be funny: 26%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 46%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.5%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Atlanta if some of your best memories occurred at a Waffle House.
iStockphoto

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/fast-food-capitals---baton-rouge_hqbfyd — Adult population (metro area): 640,436
Consider themselves to be funny: 27%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 42%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.5%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Baton Rouge if you know big roaches can fly, but you're able to sleep at night anyway.
iStock

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/chicago---bean_btgqyb — Adult population (metro area): 7,100,170
Consider themselves to be funny: 25%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 45%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1. 8%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Chicago if “furniture” is something you use to guard your parking spot in winter.
Jason Schmidt

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/smartest-cities---milwaukee_usycj1 — Adult population (metro area): 1,720,925
Consider themselves to be funny: 24%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 38%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 45%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.3%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Milwaukee if you think a clean bowling shirt is appropriate attire for a wedding.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/jewish-capitals---detroit_emmkdg — Adult population (metro area): 3,723,497
Consider themselves to be funny: 25%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 37%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 49%
Usually watch comedic movies: 43%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.5%

Local punch line: Too many to choose from.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/america-reads---philadelphia_snbgbi — Adult population (metro area): 5,914,267
Consider themselves to be funny: 25%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 37%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 44%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.4%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Philly if Valentine’s Day dinner means cheesesteaks.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/pot-smoking-cities---tallahassee_mjht1j — Adult population (metro area): 560,753
Consider themselves to be funny: 26%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 41%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 2%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Tallahassee if your car is a pickup truck with a Nascar, NRA and Go Seminoles bumper sticker.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/smartest-cities---san-antonio_ikjeic — Adult population (metro area): 1,690,024
Consider themselves to be funny: 25%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 31%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 51%
Usually watch comedic movies: 44%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.5%

Local punch line: You know you’re from San Antonio if you have three rodeo outfits but never have been on a horse.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/cities-start-over---dallas_oflgrw — Adult population (metro area): 5,016,748
Consider themselves to be funny: 26%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 33%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 49%
Usually watch comedic movies: 44%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.4%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Dallas if the Blue Book value on your truck goes up and down depending on how much gas it has in it.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/most-innovative-states---new-york_ytunyv — Adult population (metro area): 15,868,488
Consider themselves to be funny: 24%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 35%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 46%
Usually watch comedic movies: 43%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 2.2%

Local punch line: You know you’re from New York City when you consider eye contact an act of overt aggression.
PR Newsphoto

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/most-caffeinated-cities---houston_myaeqe — Adult population (metro area): 4,300,989
Consider themselves to be funny: 26%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 31%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 44%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.6%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Houston if you think that the Astrodome is the eighth wonder of the world.
Scott Kohn / Newscom

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/fast-food-capitals---raleigh_hcqizn — Adult population (metro area): 2,141,879
Consider themselves to be funny: 25%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 44%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.5%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Raleigh if you skipped school to go to Dale Earnhardt’s memorial service.
iStockphoto

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/momentum-cities---new-haven_bft9am — Adult population (metro area): 1,997,489
Consider themselves to be funny: 23%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 37%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 45%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.6%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Hartford if Jay and Silent Bob are your heroes.
AP Photo

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/jewish-capitals----1_uzlean — Adult population (metro area): 523,717
Consider themselves to be funny: 23%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 38%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 45%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.5%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Springfield if you give directions according to the proximity to a Dunkin’ Donuts location.
AP Photo

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/fast-food-capitals---rochester_zkpkxl — Adult population (metro area): 771,308
Consider themselves to be funny: 24%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 37%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 43%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.4%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Rochester if your mother buys your school clothes at Wegmans.
iStock

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/cities-start-over---washington-dc_klkp2e — Adult population (metro area): 4,684,470
Consider themselves to be funny: 26%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 45%
Usually watch comedic movies: 45%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.7%

Local punch line: You know you’re in D.C. if you pay more money in parking tickets in a year than you do in medical bills, college costs, and rent combined.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/smartest-college-towns---madison_pdqqb4 — Adult population (metro area): 734,172
Consider themselves to be funny: 22%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 39%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 47%
Usually watch comedic movies: 45%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.4%

Local punch line: You know you grew up in Madison if you refer to the Badgers as “we.”

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/jewish-capitals---scranton_sa6pzy — Adult population (metro area): 1,171,482
Consider themselves to be funny: 24%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 38%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 42%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.3%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Scranton if your church and your beer garden are on the same corner.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/fast-food-capitals---norfolk_yvbzv4 — Adult population (metro area): 1,407,654
Consider themselves to be funny: 26%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 41%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.7%

Local punch line: You know you’re in Norfolk if you can see another 7-Eleven from the 7-Eleven you’re standing in.
iStockphoto

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/cities-start-over---colorado-springs-co_o57sc9 — Adult population (metro area): 660,404
Consider themselves to be funny: 23%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 36%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 45%
Usually watch comedic movies: 45%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 2%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Colorado Springs if Ted Haggard baptized you.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/funniest-cities---kansas-city_guo5ap — Adult population (metro area): 1,787,277
Consider themselves to be funny: 25%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 36%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 46%
Usually watch comedic movies: 45%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.3%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Kansas City if going to the gas station involves BBQ, not fuel.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/soberest-cities---charleston_ank2fq — Adult population (metro area): 596,570
Consider themselves to be funny: 24%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 34%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 49%
Usually watch comedic movies: 41%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.7%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Charleston if going to Walmart is a favorite pastime known as going to Wally World.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/vet-capitals---46-louisville-kentucky_zolsyi — Adult population (metro area): 1,257,060
Consider themselves to be funny: 25%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 36%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 49%
Usually watch comedic movies: 43%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Louisville if you think that the Italians invented spaghetti so that you could slather chili on it.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/love-cities---baltimore_br7zuc — Adult population (metro area): 2,181,040
Consider themselves to be funny: 24%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 35%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 46%
Usually watch comedic movies: 44%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.7%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Baltimore if your birthday candles come atop a crab cake.
Greg Pease / Getty Images

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/pot-smoking-cities---albany_wal5mg — Adult population (metro area): 1,063,799
Consider themselves to be funny: 23%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 39%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 47%
Usually watch comedic movies: 43%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.2%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Albany if you think Sandra Lee is an actual celebrity.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/cities-start-over---nashville-davidson-murfreesboro-franklin-tn_ebueeu — Adult population (metro area): 1,957,006
Consider themselves to be funny: 25%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 35%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 48%
Usually watch comedic movies: 43%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.2%

Local punch line: You know you’re in Nashville if your DUI arrest gets you a five-star rating on YouTube.

galleries/2011/03/29/funniest-cities/bedbug-cities---columbus-oh_pum5fy — Adult population (metro area): 1,729,340
Consider themselves to be funny: 24%
Watch primetime comedy TV shows: 36%
Watch syndicated comedy TV shows: 47%
Usually watch comedic movies: 43%
Went to a comedy club 3+ times in the last year: 1.4%

Local punch line: You know you’re from Columbus if you think the four seasons are almost winter, winter, still winter and construction.

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