A lot of factors can influence how much you enjoy your days and location is definitely one of them. Researchers studying the science of happiness have found that a positive mental state, healthy body, strong social connections, job satisfaction and financial well-being are all important ingredients for joy. Some places do a better job at providing these and a new report reveals where they are.
- WalletHub’s list of the Happiest Cities in the U.S. has just come out.
- They compared the 182 largest cities on 29 key indicators of happiness in three main areas: emotional & physical well-being, income & employment, and community & environment.
- Cities were rated on everything from the depression rate to the unemployment rate to average leisure time spent per day.
- In 2024, the Happiest City is Fremont, California, holding onto the title for the third year in a row. It’s number one for emotional & physical well-being, third for community & environment, but 85th for income & employment.
- Lewiston, Maine, 133rd overall, is first for income & employment, while Honolulu, Hawaii, sixth overall, is number one for community & environment.
- On the flip side, at the bottom of the list is Detroit, Michigan, scoring near the bottom in all three categories, making it the least happy city.
Top 10 Happiest Cities in the U.S.
(check out the complete list here)
- Fremont, California
- Overland Park, Kansas
- San Jose, California
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Irvine, California
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- San Francisco, California
- Pearl City, Hawaii
- Columbia, Maryland
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Source: WalletHub