The results are in! A new report has crowned these states the happiest in the U.S.
New Study: These Are the Happiest States in America—See Where Yours Ranks
Updated Sep. 18, 2024
Alongside life and liberty, the pursuit of happiness is one of the unalienable rights written into our country’s Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers understood that happiness is a state of mind, but it may just be a state in this great nation, too. After all, if you’re striving for contentment, it helps to live in one of the happiest states in the U.S.
So where are things coming up roses? That’s exactly what WalletHub’s latest study aimed to find out. Because happiness doesn’t come from a single thing but rather a constellation of factors related to economic, emotional, physical and social health, the researchers studied each state as it relates to various aspects of daily life. The findings can help happiness-seekers determine the best places to live—and places where happiness may be more elusive.
Keep reading to find out which are the happiest states in the U.S., how the top-ranked state earned its spot and where your state ranks when it comes to achieving happiness.
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How did the study determine the happiest state?
WalletHub looked at 30 metrics across all 50 states to determine which state has the happiest residents. Within the 30 metrics, WalletHub identified three key dimensions:
- Emotional and physical well-being
- Work environment
- Community and environment
Because happiness is relative—what makes one person happy might be inconsequential to another person—the study considered a wide range of aspects related to daily life. The depression rate, sports participation rate, volunteer rate, number of work hours, job security, average commute time, average leisure time per day, weather and share of adults with alcohol-use disorder all factored into WalletHub’s rankings. And that’s just skimming the surface.
In short, the study considered all of the things that make a person happy, then rated each state on how well it delivered those key happiness drivers.
Which state is the happiest?
America’s paradise in the Pacific, Hawaii ranks No. 1 on WalletHub’s list of happiest states in the U.S.
The slower-paced island lifestyle is a boon, as is the incredible weather. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg—er, sand dune? Not only did Hawaii nab the top spot for the overall happiest state in the U.S., but it also ranked No. 1 in emotional and physical well-being. Plus, it’s one of the top three best states to live in when it comes to community and the environment.
Why is Hawaii the happiest state?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Hawaii residents are happier than the rest of us. Admittedly, the weather helps. (The happiest cities in America also feature mild climes.) But the Aloha state leads the pack for reasons beyond its sun, sand and surf. Let’s take a closer look at what makes Hawaii the happiest state in the U.S.
Lowest depression rate
The island paradise lives up to its reputation: Residents report high levels of overall life satisfaction. Hawaii has the lowest diagnosed depression rate, and this significantly boosted its rank because WalletHub gave this metric quadruple weight.
Great physical health
A whopping 86% of Hawaiian adults describe their physical health as “good or better,” putting them in second place nationwide when it comes to the healthiest places to live. “Hawaiians also have the longest life expectancy in the U.S.,” according to WalletHub. “Nearly 72% of adults in the state report being active and productive on a daily basis.”
Positive economic conditions
Money doesn’t make people happy, but a lack of money can increase life’s inherent challenges—and your unhappiness.
Positive economic conditions help Hawaiians stay happy. “Hawaii has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, at 2.8%, as well as the second-highest share of households with an annual income above $75,000,” WalletHub notes. “And while that means residents are working hard, they still get to enjoy the third most leisure time in the country.”
How does the rest of America stack up?
After evaluating states across 30 metrics, WalletHub gave each state a happiness score. Hawaii earned 68.71 points out of 100—higher than any other state.
Curious about America’s happiest states? Here’s how the rest of the country fared:
- Hawaii: 68.71
- Maryland: 64.67
- New Jersey: 62.46
- Utah: 62.20
- Delaware: 60.43
- Minnesota: 60.43
- Connecticut: 60.14
- Idaho: 58.84
- Nebraska: 58.60
- Massachusetts: 58.24
- South Carolina: 57.68
- South Dakota: 57.62
- California: 55.63
- Florida: 55.38
- New Hampshire: 55.38
- Virginia: 55.29
- Illinois: 54.39
- Kansas: 54.23
- Iowa: 54.22
- Georgia: 53.84
- Wisconsin: 53.23
- Pennsylvania: 53.18
- New York: 52.46
- North Carolina: 52.34
- Arizona: 52.13
- Maine: 51.56
- North Dakota: 51.35
- Washington: 51.11
- Rhode Island: 50.77
- Vermont: 50.45
- Michigan: 49.66
- Missouri: 48.30
- Montana: 48.12
- Wyoming: 47.07
- Colorado: 46.29
- Indiana: 45.92
- Nevada: 45.88
- Texas: 45.56
- Oregon: 44.95
- Ohio: 43.55
- Kentucky: 42.88
- Mississippi: 41.83
- Oklahoma: 41.74
- Alabama: 41.67
- Alaska: 41.44
- New Mexico: 40.82
- Tennessee: 40.32
- West Virginia: 38.09
- Arkansas: 37.09
- Louisiana: 32.97
Compared with the happiest states in the U.S., the least-happy states scored lowest in the work environment, emotional and physical well-being, and community and environment categories. They also have some of the highest rates of adult depression, lowest rates of adequate sleep, most work hours and lowest rates of overall safety.
All in all, the old saying does ring true: The grass really is greener where you water it. But based on this analysis, we won’t argue that it may be harder in some states to keep your grass green and your attitude rosy.
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece on the happiest states in America, Jaime Stathis tapped her experience as a longtime journalist for Reader’s Digest to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- WalletHub: “Happiest States in America (2024)”
Originally Published: September 13, 2023
