WalletHub: The Happiest States in America (2026)

WalletHub ^ | 09/08/2026 | Adam McCann

[SeekAndFind]

Happiness comes from a combination of internal and external factors. We can influence it somewhat by approaching situations positively or choosing to spend time with people we love, doing activities we enjoy. However, other things out of our control, like the cost-of-living crisis or ongoing economic uncertainty, can also take a toll, with only 44% of Americans saying they are “very satisfied” with their lives.

Even though people across the U.S. are facing difficult times, the state in which you live may have an impact on how happy you are. To determine where Americans exhibit the best combination of good economic, emotional, physical and social health, we examined the 50 states across 30 key metrics, ranging from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate.

“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. It’s also important to note that while the adage that money can’t buy happiness has a lot of truth to it, 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.” --- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

---

TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: happiness; states

[MNDude]

Minnesota is number 8? I assure you this is not the case

[rktman]

Uh, otay then.

[crusty old prospector]

This report makes me sad.

[z3n]

Pretty obvious that the two factors here are weather and pay, and the pay factor does not appear to compensate for higher cost of living, so high pay states rank higher even if they are higher cost of living, hence why the appalachian states are all so low.

Is this REALLY a measure of “happiness”? I mean really?

[goodnesswins]

BS...California 9...while Oregon is 42. Course, all those illegals ARE happy!

[goodnesswins]

BS...California 9...while Oregon is 42. Course, all those illegals ARE happy!

[Gay State Conservative]

Massachusetts is #13. Yah,I can believe that. Being ruled entirely by Maoists and populated largely by Maoists the typical resident would be as pleased as punch. Of course the few real intelligent,rational Americans living here are most assuredly not.

[SeekAndFind]

WALLETHUB's HAPPIEST ( AND LEAST HAPPY ) STATES IN TABLE FORMAT

[SeekAndFind]

WALLETHUB's HAPPIEST ( AND LEAST HAPPY ) STATES IN TABLE FORMAT

[decal]

Here We Go Again: another “study” showing blue states are better places to live than red states.

That’s why people are fleeing CA in droves - it’s just TOO nice to live in!

[ComputerGuy]

I’m encouraged to see New Jersey near the top.
Maybe more of those folks will stay there.

[PAR35]

strong state economies

So California is number 9 and Texas is 35.

[Zathras]

NJ is #2?
Ok that might be correct. :-)

[redfreedom]

This report is pure unadulterated bullshit. Kalifornia and NY State have low numbers, suggesting people there are happy. If that’s so, why are people leaving in huge numbers, along with losing businesses?

Texas has a relatively high number, suggesting people are certainly less happy than Kalifornia or NY. Then why are people and businesses moving in to TX?

[Tell It Right]

I agree with the report. The left shouldn’t move here to unhappy Alabama.

[MeanWestTexan]

Meaningless garbage study.

They decided what leftist policies should be in place for people to be happy and looked for the places that were the most leftist.

NJ at 2? LOL.

[Ge0ffrey]

Beautiful West Virginia is dead last?

[libertylover]

This report makes me sad.

It would me too if I believed it, but I don't.

[libertylover]

Doesn’t quite match up with the map.