This Is the Happiest State in the U.S. — and It Has Amazing Beaches, Too

WalletHub just named Hawaii residents the happiest.

By Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca

Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on October 17, 2024

Close A double rainbow over Hanalei Beach on Kauai, Hawaii. Photo:

M Swiet Productions/Getty Images

What makes each of us happy is certainly subjective. However, there is one easy way you can increase your chances of feeling that emotion: choosing to live in a happier state.

In September, WalletHub released its study ranking the happiest states in the U.S. It came to its conclusion after evaluating all 50 states across three key dimensions: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment. Those three dimensions were evaluated using 30 metrics, including the physical health of the population, sleep rates, food insecurity, commute times, income growth rate, average leisure time per person, safety, and more. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing maximum happiness. It then averaged each state's numbers to calculate its overall score.

And after crunching the numbers, it named Hawaii the happiest state of all. 

“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 lowest depression rate,” the WalletHub team wrote in its findings. The researchers noted that Hawaii residents exhibit fantastic physical health, with 86 percent of adults reporting that “they are in good or better health,” which represents the second-best percentage in the U.S.

Additionally, the team found that Hawaii residents have the longest life expectancy in the nation. 

"To top things off, positive economic conditions help [Hawaii residents] stay happy. Hawaii has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, at 2.8 percent, as well as the second-highest share of households with an annual income above $75,000," WalletHub noted. "And while that means residents are working hard, they still get to enjoy the third-most leisure time in the country." 

Other top-ranking states include Maryland, which ranked second thanks to its population's high income and low stress levels, followed by New Jersey in third, which made its way to the top of the list due to its population's low divorce rate. Utah, Delaware, Minnesota, Connecticut, Idaho, Nebraska, and Massachusetts rounded out the top 10. 

However, no matter where you live, you can find a little happiness in those around you. "While happiness can be defined in varied ways, from emotional joy to life satisfaction (e.g., happiness 'in' life versus happiness 'with' life), high-quality relationships stand out as important predictors of individuals' happiness," Theresa DiDonato, the associate dean of social sciences and graduate programs at Loyola University Maryland, added. "Having rewarding interactions with people whom you value and who value you may provide the support, comfort, laughter, and intimacy that elevate individuals' happiness."

See the full ranking of happiest states at wallethub.com. 

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