Posted on 04/05/2025 7:55:13 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
On the whole, happiness in the U.S. is on the decline. The country fell down a spot from the year prior to No. 24 in the 2025 World Happiness Report.
But there is still plenty of joy to be found across the 50 states — including in Plano, Texas, which ranked No. 1 in a recent SmartAsset report identifying the happiest cities in America. SmartAsset ranked cities on 11 metrics across three categories: personal finance, wellbeing and quality of life.
Individual metrics include the share of households living below the poverty line, share of residents who report being inactive and traffic volume on major roads.
Here are the 10 happiest cities in the U.S., according to SmartAsset:
A few factors made Plano stand out in SmartAsset's ranking, including the city's high marriage rate of 56% and that 54% of households earn at least $100,000 a year.
While you don't need to be married to be happy, numerous studies have shown partnered people tend to be happier than single adults. Married people also tend to earn more and spend less, Census Bureau and Labor Department data has found.
When it comes to factors like school quality, job opportunities and entertainment options, Plano has a solid reputation. The city ranked No. 6 on Niche's 2025 best places to live in the U.S. based on factors like its schools and public safety. Plano also ranked No. 5 in SmartAsset's 2023 rankings of the safest cities in America due to its low drug mortality and violent crime rates.
"Living in Plano, Texas, offers a modest yet fulfilling experience with its safe, family-friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and well-maintained parks," a reviewer who says they're a current Plano resident posted on Niche.
"Whether enjoying Tex-Mex at a local eatery or exploring diverse cuisines, Plano's vibrant food scene complements its community-focused atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to call home," they added.
Research has shown higher incomes are associated with higher levels of happiness, which SmartAsset took into account with metrics like the share of households earning $100,000 a year or more and local poverty rates.
Previous research suggested that while an increase in income is correlated with greater life satisfaction, that was only true up to a certain point. But more recent studies have concluded that drop-off doesn't really exist.
Even people who are already objectively wealthy will continue to feel the positive effects of more money when they get raises or otherwise increase their wealth, University of Pennsylvania researcher Matthew Killingsworth found in 2024.
The material impacts of more money will be relative, but the increase to happiness is roughly the same, he said.
For example, someone with a low income getting a 20% raise may suddenly be able to more comfortably feed their family, whereas a higher earner getting a 20% raise may simply upgrade their car. But the happiness boost they both feel will be roughly the same, Killingsworth's research suggests.
Of course, this correlation isn't true for everyone. Outside factors like relationships or underlying mental health problems may inhibit a person's happiness regardless of their income, Killingsworth's research found.
You gotta be rich to live in Plano.
Average home price is over a half million
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-is-the-average-home-price-j4pbXeOTQqWaNgcTzv2cOg
Arlington VA?
Probably a lot of unhappy people there now.
Approximately 10.7% of Arlington County’s workforce, or about 23,700 civilian employees, work for the federal government as of recent data from Arlington Economic Development. Additionally, Arlington County is home to about 25,000 federal workers who work within the county. These figures represent federal employees working in Arlington but do not account for state or local government employees living in the area.
In total, government jobs make up 22.1% of employment in Arlington County, equating to roughly 50,300 positions across federal, state, and local agencies. However, the exact number of government employees residing in Arlington is not explicitly stated in the available data.
They have a chain of banks around the South Plains called Happy State Bank. They seem to be very successful.
Plano? It’s being turned into a Muslim enclave; how “HAPPY” can the people of Plano be now?
I work at the City of Plano. Median price is not indicative of the entire city. There are multi-million dollar homes and there are $300k homes … even less. There are plenty of poor there.
1. Plano, Texas
Lots of businesses from California moving there.
2. Arlington, Virginia
Govt workers. Going to get ugly on the real estate side.
3. Raleigh, North Carolina
New Yorkers and New Jersey types leaving
4. Seattle, Washington
?
5. San Jose, California
?
6. Boise, Idaho
Disgruntled Californians.
7. Fremont, California
?
8. Lincoln, Nebraska
Nothing against Nebraska but why?
9. Durham, North Carolina
Again, Northeasterners leaving NY and NJ.
10. Anchorage, Alaska
?
Strange listing.
False. The EPIC project is planned for far east Collin County. Not Plano.
Are the articles about THAT one false?
Yeah, that's pretty much what I came in to say.
Abbott and Paxton have started steps to shut this proposed city down.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-is-that-muslim-enclave-no-S1x3Wk67SY22o7jy6uZ6Hw
GMTA! :-)
Thanks for the link!
I notice that: VERY high average incomes aside, the five “richest” counties in the US are all clustered around Washington DC- Ducking off of the government’s teats by draining the average taxpayer who lives elsewhere.
But none of these “happiest cities “ are around DC.
Arlington excepted!
Link no good; you have to join.
Try this link....
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-is-that-muslim-enclave-no-S1x3Wk67SY22o7jy6uZ6Hw
Hogwash, pure clickbait. Wait till the Islamic center is built, the town will disappear.
Cut and paste in case link still doesn’t work for ya.....
The “Muslim enclave” referenced in your query is likely EPIC City, a proposed 402-acre master-planned community spearheaded by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). It is located near Josephine, Texas, approximately 40 miles northeast of Dallas, in unincorporated areas of Collin and Hunt counties. The development plans include a mosque, over 1,000 single- and multi-family homes, a K-12 faith-based school, senior housing, a community college, commercial spaces, sports facilities, and parks. The project aims to serve the growing Muslim population in the region while fostering an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds.
Actions by Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton
Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have launched multiple investigations and taken legal actions against EPIC City. These include:
Criminal Investigations: Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate the East Plano Islamic Center and its affiliates for potential criminal activities. However, specific allegations or evidence supporting these claims have not been disclosed publicly.
Cease-and-Desist Orders: Abbott announced that the Texas Funeral Service Commission issued a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC for allegedly operating funeral services without proper licensing. This issue stems from EPIC’s previous operation of a funeral home with an expired license.
Consumer Protection Probes: Paxton has initiated an investigation into Community Capital Partners (the entity managing EPIC City) to determine whether it violated state consumer protection laws. There are claims that EPIC could be the sole beneficiary of profits from the development.
Rhetoric and Legislative Proposals: Abbott has publicly voiced concerns that EPIC City might impose Islamic legal principles (Sharia law) or become a “no-go zone” for non-Muslims. He has also suggested that new laws may be introduced to restrict such developments or prevent foreign entities from purchasing land in Texas.
Response from EPIC City Developers
The developers and their attorney, Dan Cogdell, have strongly denied any wrongdoing and accused state officials of racial profiling and fear-mongering. They argue that the investigations and rhetoric are politically motivated attacks on a project designed to foster inclusivity. Cogdell has criticized Abbott’s statements as harmful and misleading, noting that they have led to threats against the developers and their families.
EPIC City remains in its planning stages, with construction yet to begin. Developers have emphasized that funding comes from private investments by individuals purchasing plots of land rather than external sources.
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