Does where you live affect your happiness? WalletHub, a personal finance website, sought to answer this question, comparing happiness indicators on a state-by-state basis. To rank all 50 states, the 2024 study analyzed metrics across three different categories: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment. It should come as no surprise that the study revealed that happy people are financially stable with access to a strong community and a general sense of well-being. So, where do all those happy people reside? See which states cracked the top 10 happiest U.S. states for 2024.
10. Massachusetts
Living in the 10th-happiest state in the nation, Massachusetts residents have a lot to be cheerful about. The Bay State ranks particularly highly in two crucial categories in the 2024 happiest states report: emotional and physical well-being and work and environment. Home to some of the best hospitals in the country, including Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the state provides comprehensive health care coverage for residents. It also boasts a strong economy and job market, with several tech companies headquartered in Boston or Cambridge. Visitors, too, have plenty to be pleased about in Massachusetts — particularly as they explore some of the nation’s oldest cities and most important historical sites.
9. Nebraska
One of two Midwestern states in the top 10, Nebraska earned its No. 9 ranking with a strong showing in the work and environment category. Nebraska’s economy is fueled by the agricultural and manufacturing industries, and the state has a low unemployment rate of 2.5%, which keeps its residents financially stable. Plus, Nebraska offers a great quality of life, with close-knit communities and access to hiking, fishing, and camping throughout the state (a boon for the state’s visitors, too).
8. Idaho
As the eighth-happiest state, Idaho’s happiness score can be credited to its high ranking in the work environment and community and environment categories in the report. A new mecca for tech startups, Boise’s economy has grown tremendously in recent years. Combined with a booming tech industry and a fairly affordable cost of living, Idaho residents have plenty to be content about. Situated in the Rocky Mountains, it’s also one of the most beautiful states in the country, with mountains, rivers, and forests adding to its bucolic setting.
7. Connecticut
At roughly 5,000 square miles, Connecticut proves that small states can be happy, too. In fact, the report shows that the third-smallest state is actually the seventh-happiest in the country, with Connecticut residents ranking particularly high in emotional and physical well-being. Connecticut is home to many small communities with plenty of charm, but its location near New York City is also a boon to residents. The state is known for its excellent education system and top-notch universities, such as Yale University, and it has a booming job market, thanks to industry giants including General Electric and Aetna.
6. Minnesota
Minnesota, the country’s sixth-happiest state in 2024, is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Target, General Mills, and 3M, in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which helps boost the state’s job security. But community also plays a big role in the state’s happiness index, thanks to a phenomenon known as “Minnesota nice.” As it turns out, happy people tend to also be welcoming and kind, which results in a notably friendly atmosphere throughout the state.
5. Delaware
The First State ranks fifth in the list of happiest states. Delaware contains numerous small-town communities that provide easy access to nearby major cities such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Residents and visitors alike also flock to the Delaware coast, home to several popular beach towns and miles of scenic shoreline. The state’s affordability adds to its appeal, as residents appreciate the low property taxes and lack of sales tax.
4. Utah
Utah is the fourth-happiest state in the country overall, but it ranks first in two individual categories in the report: work environment and community and environment. A home base for big companies such as Adobe and eBay, the state has a strong economy that is boosted by a growing tech community, earning it the nickname “Silicon Slopes.” Beyond its job security, Utah offers residents (and visitors) a gorgeous setting and a high quality of life, with plenty of opportunities to get outside throughout its five national parks and 46 state parks.
3. New Jersey
As the third-happiest state, New Jersey provides a high quality of life for its residents. In addition to its easy access to the Big Apple, the Garden State scored particularly well in the emotional and physical well-being category. Its overall happiness was also boosted by strong job security, close-knit communities, and excellent infrastructure and transportation systems.
2. Maryland
While Maryland ranks highly across all three categories, it seems residents are particularly grateful to have a secure job economy, with a low unemployment rate of 2.8%. This low rate can be attributed to its proximity to Washington, D.C., a big city that offers numerous high-paying jobs across several different sectors. The state also has an excellent public school system and offers higher educational opportunities at top-notch research institutions like John Hopkins University.
1. Hawaii
Maybe it should come as no surprise that Hawaii ranks as the happiest state in the country — its residents do live in a literal paradise, after all. The Aloha State demonstrates that warm weather and a relaxed atmosphere are a big boon to overall contentment. Despite a high cost of living, Hawaii is the literal embodiment of the phrase “health is wealth.” That’s because Hawaii residents live longer than the rest of Americans, with an average life expectancy of 80.7 years from birth, three years over the national norm.
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