A lot of different factors go into what makes people truly happy. Not surprising that location, money/income, mental state, and relationships all play a big part in determining how happy one is. Let’s break down what the happiest and least happiest cities in the United States, thanks to WalletHub.

What are the factors WalletHub took into account when determining the happiest (and least happiest) cities in America? Well, they compared 182 of the largest cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key dimensions: 1) Emotional & Physical Well-Being, 2) Income & Employment and 3) Community & Environment. Finally, they evaluated over 31 different metrics that you can find here.

Happiest cities:

  1. Plano, TX

  2. Irvine, CA

  3. Madison, WI

  4. Fremont, CA

  5. Huntington Beach, CA

  6. Fargo, ND

  7. Grand Prairie, TX

  8. San Jose, CA

  9. Scottsdale, AZ

  10. San Francisco, CA

Least happiest cities:

  1. Mobile, AL

  2. Newark, NJ

  3. Huntington, WV

  4. Little Rock, AR

  5. Gulfport, MS

  6. Cleveland, OH

  7. Birmingham, AL

  8. Charleston, WV

  9. Toledo, OK

  10. Detroit, MI

Want to know more? Here’s a few more interesting breakdowns, again, complements of WalletHub. 

Lowest depression rate:

  1. Miami, FL

  2. Hialeah, FL

  3. Fort Lauderdale, FL

  4. Pembroke Pines, FL

  5. New York, NY

  6. Newark, NJ

Highest depression rate:

  1. Burlington, VT

  2. South Burlington, VT

  3. Toledo, OH

  4. Huntington, WV

  5. Charleston, WV

Caroline O
DEPUTY CABINET ADVISOR

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