Happiest States in America (2026)

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.

Main Findings

Happiest States in the U.S.

Notes: *No. 1 = Happiest

With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

In-Depth Look at the Happiest States

Hawaii

Hawaii is the happiest state, living up to its reputation as an island paradise, with residents reporting the highest levels of life satisfaction in the nation and the second-lowest depression rate.

Hawaiians also enjoy great physical health, with around 84% of adults reporting that they are in good or better health, the 12th-best percentage in the nation. Hawaiians also have the longest life expectancy in the U.S., and nearly 72% of adults in the state report being active and productive on a daily basis.

To top things off, positive economic conditions help Hawaiians stay happy. Hawaii has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, at 2.5%, as well as the third-highest share of households with an annual income above $75,000. This naturally leads to the state having the second-lowest share of adults with financial anxiety.

New Jersey

New Jersey is the second-happiest state, with the lowest share of people reporting traumatic events during their childhood and the fifth-highest life satisfaction rate. The state also has the lowest depression rate and the highest share of people who have supportive relationships and love in their lives. All these factors come together to create the conditions for good mental health.

Residents of New Jersey also demonstrate their happiness in their marriages. The Garden State has the second-lowest separation and divorce rate in the country, at around 17%.

Finally, when it comes to finances, New Jersey has the second-highest share of households earning over $75,000 per year. It also has the seventh-lowest food insecurity rate, which shows that the state is making progress when it comes to addressing poverty. Plus, New Jersey has the 17th-lowest share of people who get anxious when thinking about their personal finances.

Utah

Utah is the third-happiest state, with the 12th-lowest unemployment rate, at 3.4%, and the highest economic security in the nation, which measures whether community members are employed, insured, and otherwise financially stable. The state also has the second-highest share of people who have supportive relationships and love in their lives and the eighth-highest share of adults reporting good or better health. All these factors come together to create the conditions for good mental health.

Residents of Utah also demonstrate their happiness in their marriages. The Beehive State has the lowest separation and divorce rate in the country, at around 15%.

Finally, when it comes to work-life balance, residents work fewer hours per week than those in any other state. Plus, the state also boasts the nation's second-best weather, making it an even more enjoyable place to spend time outside of work.

The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.