Overall Ranking: #15th Happiest
You want your kids to be healthy, right? Virginians sure do! They’re making sure to serve healthier food in schools. They’re teaching kids about mental health. They’re giving money to non-profits focused on getting your kids up and moving. There’s no better place for your kids to be.
Virginia's best performing metric is "Emotional & Physical Well-Being." The state has a high proportion of residents who are physically active, who feel like they have a "purpose" in life, and have low levels of reported depression. Virginia also ranks in the top half of states for the "Work Environment" metric.
Overall Ranking: #14th Happiest
Mental health has been front and center everywhere you look. It’s always trending on social media, being covered by news outlets, and focused on in scientific studies. If you struggle with mental health, move to New York. New York state has the lowest depression rate and the second-lowest suicide rate in the country. Just being around healthy, happy people will help!
New York's overall score is in the upper 15 of states because it ranks so well for "Emotional & Physical Well-Being." But the state, in fact, ranks fairly poorly when it comes to the "Work Environment" and "Community & Environment" metrics. In each of those areas, New York comes in at 42 and 39 out of 50, respectively.
Overall Ranking: #13th Happiest
Mental health has been front and center everywhere you look. It’s always trending on social media, being covered by news outlets, and focused on in scientific studies. If you struggle with mental health, move to New York. New York state has the lowest depression rate and the second-lowest suicide rate in the country. Just being around healthy, happy people will help!
New Jersey follows a similar trend to New York. It ranks even higher for the "Emotional & Physical Well-Being" metric. They are #3 in the country! On the other end of the spectrum, they are a lowly 44 out of 50 for "Work Environment" and a somewhat better 38 for the "Community & Environment" metric. That evens out to an overall ranking of 13.
Overall Ranking: #12th Happiest
Food makes people happy, so it makes sense that the people of Connecticut are some of the happiest you’ll find. They’ve got better seafood and beer than anywhere else in the nation. The only real problem is how many boaters there are, but hey, the boaters spend all their time at sea. You won’t have to worry about them on the weekends!
Connecticut's best metric ranking is in "Emotional & Physical Well-Being," where they come in at #9. They are also in the top quarter of states for the "Community & Environment" ranking. When it comes to working environment, however, the Constitution State doesn't rank so well.
Overall Ranking: #11th Happiest
If you’re sick of your current job, move to Wisconsin. Yes, we know that’s a curveball, but trust us. The people there really love their jobs. They commute less, have better health care, and they’re known for beer and cheese. What more could you ask for?
Wisconsin's overall #11 ranking is thanks to it being in the top quarter of states in ALL THREE ranking metrics. In fact, there's only a five-rank spread between its best and worst ranking (11 and 16). Their high-point is their "Work Environment" and their so-called "low point" (at least comparatively speaking) is "Emotional & Physical Well-Being."
Overall Ranking: #10th Happiest
Nebraska may not have people falling over themselves to move in, but they’re perfectly content with who they are. They’re not looking for new jobs, as evidenced by how good their long-term employment rates are. In fact, they’re so happy that they want to share it with the world. They’ve got some of the best volunteer rates in the country.
Nebraska has a top 10 ranking for "Emotional & Physical Well-Being," as well as a top 20 ranking for "Work Environment." It slips just below average when it comes to "Community & Environment" ranking, however.
Overall Ranking: #9th Happiest
Most people may joke that there’s not much to do in South Dakota. It’s okay. South Dakotans do too! That’s why they sleep so much. (We’re not joking.) They’re ranked as the state with the best quality sleep. Sure, being a sleepy state may not sound too appealing, but South Dakotans love naps and sleeping in. It makes them one of the happiest states!
South Dakota ranks well across the board. In fact, both Dakotas do (more to come on that later)! Their best-ranking metric is for "Community & Environment" where they come in 8th in the country. They are also 13th and 14th in the nation for "Work Environment" and "Emotional & Physical Well-Being," respectively.
Overall Ranking: #8th Happiest
Sure, nobody ever thinks they want to move to Iowa, but nobody wants to leave it either. Iowans love their culture. They’ve got better corn mazes, sports, and burgers than anywhere in the country. It’s a hidden paradise worth spending time in… if you can make it through all the corn.
Iowa cracks the top 10 for "Emotional & Physical Well-Being" and just misses out for "Community & Environment" where they rank at 11. They're no slouch when it comes to "Work Environment," either, where they come in at 18.
Overall Ranking: #7th Happiest
In Maryland, they’re happy with about everything. They love their neighbors and their school systems. The people are super healthy. They have some great weather. Really, their only issue is their long commute of 32 minutes. It’s seven minutes longer than the national average, but they put up with it because everything else is so great!
Maryland ranks in the top 5 for "Community & Environment," and they also rank in the top 10 for "Emotional & Physical Well-Being." Where they stumble, however, is in the "Work Environment" metric. There, they come in at 38 out of 50 in the nation.
Overall Ranking: #6th Happiest
The Gem State really is a rich find. There’s no other state where people love their neighbors, coworkers, and fellow Little League parents more. It’s the type of place you’ll never feel alone in.
Idaho leads the country when it comes to "Community & Environment" and comes in at #2 for "Work Environment." They're even in the top half of states for "Emotional & Physical Well-Being."
Overall Ranking: #5th Happiest
Who wouldn’t be happy living in California? Those beaches are sure to cheer anyone up. The perfect weather will bring a smile to your face every day. The casual work environment of so many businesses will make you want to clock in. Really, the only downside is how high the rent is!
California's top performing metric is in "Emotional & Physical Well-Being" where they come in 4th in the nation. Their 12th ranking in "Community & Environment" and 24th ranking in "Work Environment" also push them toward the top in overall rankings.
Overall Ranking: #4th Happiest
North Dakota may seem like the cold, distant north, but you’ll appreciate how warm the people are. They’re not stressed about anything. Physically, they’re doing great. They have stable jobs. They have healthy relationships. North Dakotans are the type of people we’re all striving to be!
North Dakota is one of two states that ranks in the top 10 in all three ranking metrics. They are sixth in the nation for both "Emotional & Physical Well-Being" and "Community & Environment." Plus, they are ninth in the country for "Work Environment."
Overall Ranking: #3rd Happiest
There are few states that are more emotionally and physically healthy than Minnesota. Minnesotans take great care of themselves, leading long and healthy lives. It’s no wonder they made this list!
Minnesota is the other state that ranks in the top 10 for all three ranking metrics. Their best performing metric is "Emotional & Physical Well-Being" where they rank #2 in the country. They are 6th and 10th for "Work Environment" and "Community & Environment," respectively.
Overall Ranking: #2nd Happiest
If there is one state that everybody seems to gang up on, it’s Utah. Ironically, it’s debatably the best place to live in the nation. It has an unrivaled list of great qualities that put it in the “Top 5 Best States” including safety, low divorce rates, high volunteer rates, income growth, athletic involvement, and, this one is great, fewest hours spent in the office. If you want it, Utah’s got it.
The top 2 states overall both rank in the top 5 in two different categories. Utah ranks top in the country for "Work Environment." This includes things like short commute time, a low share of adults worried about money, and a high job satisfaction rate.
Overall Ranking: #1 Happiest State in the Country
Every year, millions of people flock to Hawaii’s sunny shores, but it’s not just the tourists who love the place. On average, the residents of Hawaii have some of the highest scores for general happiness. Sunny days really do help people’s mood.
Hawai'i's top ranking was in "Emotional & Physical Well-Being." They also had a top 5 ranking in "Community & Environment." This metric is based on high rates of volunteerism, average leisure time per day, and separation & divorce rates.
