While the US ranks only 16th in the World Happiness Report, the study states that some US cities still provide residents with a very positive quality of life.
While money can’t always buy happiness, moving to a new city could lead to a better quality of life, according to recent data. Cities in the United States vary greatly in their environment, income, general well-being of citizens, and community.
By 2023, California dominated the list of America’s Happiest Cities, while Fremont, California, topped the list for the second year in a row.
That’s according to a recent study by WalletHub, which analyzed data metrics related to happiness to determine which American cities are home to the happiest residents. While the US ranks only 16th in the World Happiness Report, the study states that some US cities still provide residents with a very positive quality of life.
The study is based on psychological research findings indicating that there is a clear connection between location and happiness. Simply put, where you live can have a big effect on your overall well-being, Dr. Sherry Hamby, a distinguished research professor of psychology at the University of the South, said in the study.
“Places with the most resources, whether it’s natural resources like beaches and mountains, cultural resources like museums and theaters, or essential resources like healthcare and transportation, tend to have happier people than other places,” Hamby said.
Some areas, considered Blue Zones of Happiness by author Dan Buettner, are home to happier residents than others, University of Albany associate professor of psychology Dev Dalal said in the study. These places feature residents with greater general purpose, pride, and pleasure.
The economy of a city can contribute to the happiness of its inhabitants. “One factor in creating a location related to higher happiness is the economy of the area. Specifically, it is the amount of economic equality among residents,” Dalal said. “The more equality there is among the residents, the happier the residents tend to be.”
Here are the 10 happiest cities in the US:
1.Fremont, Calif.
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 1
Community and environment rating: 1
Income and employment range: 34
2. San Jose, California
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 2
Community and environment rating: 64
Income and employment range: 3
3. Madison, Wisconsin
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 5
Community and environment rating: 8
Income and employment range: 41
4. Overland Park, Kansas
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 6
Community and environment rating: 6
Income and employment range: 87
5.Saint Francis
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 4
Community and environment rating: 69
Income and employment range: 8
6.Irvine, Calif.
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 8
Community and environment rating: 18
Income and employment range: 40
7. Columbia, Maryland
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 3
Community and environment rating: 28
Income and employment range: 176
8. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 10
Community and environment rating: 21
Income and employment range: 72
9. South Burlington, Vermont
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 11
Community and environment rating: 47
Income and employment range: 25
10. Burlington, Vermont
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 28
Community and environment rating: 11
Income and Employment Rank: 1
For the rankings, WalletHub looked at 182 of the largest cities in the US, including the 150 most populous US cities and at least two of the most populous cities in each US state. The cities were evaluated based on three categories:
- Emotional and physical well-being
- Community and environment
- income and employment
Within these categories, the study looked at 30 relevant metrics, including life satisfaction index, depression rate, food insecurity rate, poverty rate, income growth rate, ideal climate, and hate crime incidents per capita.