Just like where you work and what you do, where you live can have major implications for your quality of life. set out to find the states where life is sweetest and the residents have the most to grin about.听
There are many factors that contribute to happiness and听some of them are fairly intangible. Yet, external forces can strongly impact your state of mind. For example, while money can't buy happiness, it is impossible to be content听if you don't know where you'll find your next meal.听Spending 45 minutes on the interstate every day screaming at your听fellow听drivers to use their turn signals may not make you profoundly miserable, but it certainly isn't improving your life. With that in mind, Zippia examined the aspects of life that are evidence of unhappiness and that directly contribute to happiness.
All states were ranked equally by six factors:听depression rate; median household income; unemployment; commute length; hours worked; and marriage rate. Data was gathered from the听, except for听the data on depression rates, which came from听听on depression in the nation. All data points were听gathered prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had an impact on most Americans' lives听and happiness levels due to physical and mental health concerns, significant rises in unemployment, and in many cases, shorter commutes after the shift to remote work.听
While some may be surprised听to see marriage rates included in the metrics,听studies听show that married people are typically happier than unmarried people. However, it is worth noting that . In fact, people leaving a bad marriage experience spikes of happiness, according to Harvard researcher Daniel Gilbert. With that said, a happy marriage and positive social interactions can be beneficial to听mood and mental health.
Continue reading to discover which 10 states have the happiest residents听in the U.S.
1 / 10
#1. Utah
- Depression rate:听6
- Median household income:听$71,414
- Commute:听21.7 minutes
- Marriage rate:听57.2
Utah residents work 37听hours a week on average and have relatively short commutes. This is in conjunction with a higher-than-average median household income鈥攖he average across the U.S. was $68,703 in 2019. Good overall health is also something Utah residents have to be happy about: The state has the lowest rate of among adults, according to the United Health Foundation. Utah is also considered the , thanks to a friendly business tax climate and high level of venture capital.
2 / 10
#2. Montana
- Depression rate:听4.7
- Median household income:听$55,328
- Commute:听18 minutes
- Marriage rate:听53.1
Montanans work 38听hours a week on average and aren鈥檛 burdened with long commutes. The overall is less than that of the听country as a whole, with the average price of groceries, utilities, and transportation all lower than U.S. averages.听Residents of the second happiest state in the country also听enjoy the lack of sales tax.听听
3 / 10
#3. Wisconsin
- Depression rate:听4.4
- Median household income:听$60,773
- Commute:听22 minutes
- Marriage rate:听51.7
Native Wisconsinites have a tendency to stay in their home state, with听听born in Wisconsin. Residents in this Midwestern state work on average 38 hours per week. Wisconsin population numbers have been on a steady rise for decades and are expected to continue increasing.听
4 / 10
#4. Nebraska
- Depression rate:听4.1
- Median household income:听$59,566
- Commute:听18.6 minutes
- Marriage rate:听54.2
The data shows that Nebraska is not simply a flyover state and perhaps has more to offer its residents than the average person expects.听听is not particularly common among Nebraska residents听in comparison to other states and the state also experiences a low prevalence of people using nonmedical drugs.听
5 / 10
#5. Hawaii
- Depression rate:听2.1
- Median household income:听$80,212
- Commute:听27.4
- Marriage rate:听50.7
Hawaiians have some of the lowest depression rates in the nation and听 and outcomes, including low rates of smoking, high fruit and vegetable consumption, and low occurrences of multiple chronic conditions.听While the weather wasn't taken into account in Zippia's study, 听has been linked to improved mood.听
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6 / 10
#6. South Dakota
- Depression rate:听4.1
- Median household income:听$56,274
- Commute:听17
- Marriage rate:听53.2
South Dakotans enjoy some of the lowest unemployment in the nation as well as the shortest average commute time. Residents听have endless opportunities to explore the natural beauty of South Dakota, home to听the Badlands, Custer State Park, and the Jewel Cave, which all attract tourists from around the world.听
7 / 10
#7. Minnesota
- Depression rate:听5.8
- Median household income:听$70,315
- Commute:听23.5
- Marriage rate:听52.7
The 鈥淟and of 10,000 Lakes鈥� is also the land of good work-life balance (Minnesotans work an average 38 hours per week), and high median household incomes. Minnesota (tied with Utah) has the in the country. Research has shown time and time again that 听and听boost overall mental health.听
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8 / 10
#8. Iowa
- Depression rate:听4.9
- Median household income:听$59,955
- Commute:听19.1
- Marriage rate:听52.9
Iowa residents deal with听fairly brief commutes, coming in at seven minutes shorter than the average U.S. commute, and they work an average of 38 hours per week. The state experiences and a low prevalence of people avoiding health care because of financial challenges.听
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9 / 10
#9. Wyoming
- Depression rate:听4.7
- Median household income:听$61,584
- Commute:听17.8
- Marriage rate:听53.3
One of the happiest states in the country is also one of the least populated with only 572,381 residents. The lucky few living in Wyoming are surrounded by seven national parks that attract international tourists to the state, including听Yellowstone, home to the听famous Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful geyser. Wyomingites experience a and low income inequality, likely contributors to overall contentment.
10 / 10
#10. New Jersey
- Depression rate:听3.6
- Median household income:听$81,740
- Commute:听31.7
- Marriage rate:听53
New Jersey may be experiencing a decrease in population, but residents who stay have some strong factors in their favor. New Jersey residents have some of the lowest depression rates in the nation and a healthy median household income. However, longer commutes keep New Jersey residents from being considered happier.
