Hawaii, Maryland lead way as Happiest States in America

WASHINGTON — As the pursuit of happiness remains a cornerstone of the American dream, an annual survey shows which states are coming closest to achieving it. From the beaches of Hawaii to the mountains of West Virginia, the 2024 WalletHub report on the “Happiest States in America” offers a data-driven look at well-being across the nation. And in perhaps not much of a surprise, Hawaii takes the cake for the most joyful place to be this year.

The research examined all 50 states across 30 key metrics to determine where Americans exhibit the best combination of emotional, physical, economic and social well-being.

The study comes at a time when many Americans are still grappling with ongoing economic challenges and the stress of a contentious election year. According to recent surveys, only 47% of Americans report being “very satisfied” with their lives currently.

“In addition to pursuing your passions, having a good work-life balance and maintaining an emotional support network, another key way to boost your happiness is living in the right place,” says Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst, in a statement. “The happiest states are those that provide above-average quality of life in a wide variety of areas, from strong state economies and high quality physical and mental health care to adequate amounts of leisure time and good weather.”

Methodology

To determine the happiest states, WalletHub compared the 50 states across three key dimensions:

1. Emotional & Physical Well-Being (50 points)
2. Work Environment (25 points)
3. Community & Environment (25 points)

These dimensions were evaluated using 30 relevant metrics, each graded on a 100-point scale with a score of 100 representing maximum happiness. The metrics encompassed factors such as depression rates, adequate sleep, sports participation, work hours, income levels, unemployment rates, and divorce rates.

Data was collected from reputable sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Gallup polls. WalletHub then determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score, which was used to rank the states from happiest to least happy.

Top 10 Happiest States

1. Hawaii
2. Maryland
3. New Jersey
4. Utah
5. Delaware
6. Minnesota
7. Connecticut
8. Idaho
9. Nebraska
10. Massachusetts

Bottom 10 Happiest States

41. Kentucky
42. Mississippi
43. Oklahoma
44. Alabama
45. Alaska
46. New Mexico
47. Tennessee
48. West Virginia
49. Arkansas
50. Louisiana

Aloha, Happiness

Hawaii secured the top spot as the happiest state, living up to its reputation as an island paradise. The Aloha State ranked first in the Emotional & Physical Well-Being category, boasting the highest levels of life satisfaction and lowest depression rates nationwide.

“Hawaii’s natural beauty and laid-back lifestyle contribute significantly to residents’ happiness,” says Dr. Buffie Longmire-Avital, psychology professor at Elon University. “The state’s emphasis on work-life balance and strong sense of community align perfectly with key ingredients for overall life satisfaction.”

Maryland claimed the second spot, excelling in both economic and emotional well-being metrics. The state has one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates at 2.9% and the highest percentage of households earning over $75,000 annually. Maryland residents also report high levels of life satisfaction and strong social support networks.

New Jersey rounded out the top three, scoring particularly well in mental health metrics. The Garden State boasted the lowest rate of adverse childhood experiences and the second-lowest depression rate nationally. New Jersey also exhibited strong family cohesion, with the third-lowest separation and divorce rate in the country.

At the other end of the spectrum, Louisiana ranked as the least happy state overall. The state struggled across all major categories, particularly in the areas of physical health, economic security, and community well-being.

Factors Influencing Contentment

The study highlights several key factors that significantly impact overall happiness levels:

Economic Security: States with lower unemployment rates, higher median incomes, and greater job security tended to rank higher in overall happiness. Financial stability appears to provide a strong foundation for life satisfaction.

“Money can certainly curate moments of happiness, but sustained happiness does not come solely from having money. Money is instead a critical indirect factor that contributes to an individual’s happiness,” says Dr. Longmire-Avital. “This might be through the generation of opportunities that allow a person to pursue and focus on what brings them joy and meaning instead of focusing on survival and meeting basic needs.”

Mental Health Support: Access to quality mental health care and lower rates of depression correlated strongly with higher happiness rankings. States that prioritized mental health resources saw better outcomes in emotional well-being metrics.

Work-Life Balance: States offering better work-life balance, including shorter commute times and more leisure time, scored higher in the rankings. This underscores the importance of having time for personal pursuits and relaxation.

“Individuals want to feel valued and to be seen as valuable contributors,” says Dr. Longmire-Avital. “Working hard (or not) when not appreciated leads to unrest, discomfort, and stress. That is because, for many, the sense of self is intricately linked to our actual and perceived career productivity.”

Community Engagement: States with higher volunteer rates and stronger social support networks tended to rank better in overall happiness. This highlights the crucial role of community connections in fostering well-being.

“Where you live can determine your safety and security, which are paramount to an individual’s ability to be and seek out happiness. Community psychology would also emphasize the importance of a sense of community and its role in driving happiness and well-being,” continues Dr. Longmire-Avital. “When individuals have a high sense of community, meaning that they feel connected to the other people around them, they feel that they can engage with them and that there are limited feelings of isolation or loneliness.”

Physical Health: States with better physical health outcomes, including higher rates of regular exercise and lower obesity rates, typically scored higher in the happiness rankings. This reinforces the strong link between physical and mental well-being.

Tips For Developing Greater Happiness

While the five factors measured for the study can influence long-term happiness over one’s lifetime, Dr. Longmire-Avital says our friends and family might be most impactful on a day-to-day basis.

“Meaningful relationships and social connections are perhaps the most important ingredients for a happy life,” she explains. “From the benefits of establishing secure attachments when we are infants and toddlers to our quests for not only individual identities but also acceptance into social identities, human beings are driven by connections that generate emotional and physical security.”

While the study provides valuable insights into the factors influencing happiness across different states, it’s important to note that individual experiences may vary. Happiness is a complex and personal concept, influenced by a wide range of factors beyond geographic location. Nonetheless, understanding the broader trends and conditions that contribute to well-being can help individuals, communities, and policymakers work towards creating environments more conducive to happiness and life satisfaction.