Happiness may depend not only on outlook, but also on where people call home — and a new report indicates that residents in some states are enjoying a clear advantage.
WalletHub, the personal finance website, has released its annual ranking of the Happiest States in America, identifying the places that offer the strongest conditions for overall well-being and life satisfaction.
According to the findings, happiness is shaped by a mix of everyday factors, including health, financial stability, employment, relationships and the amount of free time people have to enjoy their lives.
To create its state-by-state ranking, WalletHub evaluated 30 key indicators of happiness, ranging from depression rates and economic security to commute times, life expectancy and whether residents are getting enough sleep.
“The happiest states are those that provide above-average quality of life in a wide variety of areas, from strong state economies and great physical and mental healthcare to adequate amounts of leisure time and good weather,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
Lupo also pointed to a familiar theme in happiness research: money matters, but only up to a point.
“Having enough money to live comfortably is still essential, but anything beyond that won’t necessarily enhance happiness as much as having fulfilling hobbies, relationships, and opportunities for personal growth,” said Lupo.
Hawaii claimed the No. 1 spot in the happiness ranking, with residents of the Aloha State reporting the highest levels of life satisfaction and the second-lowest depression rate in the country.
In addition, 84 percent of Hawaiian adults report being in good health. Hawaiians also boast the highest life expectancy in the US. Living long, well, and purposefully, nearly 72% of adults report being active and productive on a daily basis.
Hawaii is also home to one of the country’s lowest unemployment rates, with a high share of households making more than $75,000 a year, which helps explain why the state has the second-lowest state of financial anxiety.
Claiming second place, to the surprise of many in the metro area, is New Jersey.
According to the study, NJ has the lowest depression rate in the country and the fifth-highest life-satisfaction rate.
New Jersey folk are also apparently dedicated to ’til death do us part: the Garden State has the second -lowest divorce rate in the country.
Residents also reported the highest share of supportive relationships and the fewest suicides.
Meanwhile, New York ranked 11th, despite being third in the nation for physical and emotional well-being and having the third-lowest rate of depression. This inability to crack the top ten likely stems from financial pressures. Last month, a report ranked New York as the fourth most expensive state in the country, requiring $124,342 as the minimum amount singletons must earn in order to survive.
In this most recent study, Utah ranked third for happiness, bolstered by the nation’s highest level of economic security.
Rounding out the top five happy places are Idaho and Maryland.
On the bottom of the satisfaction scale, West Virginia came in dead last for happiness, with Louisiana, Arkansas, Alaska, and Kentucky close behind.
