This Is the Happiest State in America

Happiness is said to be a state of mind—but what state you're in could affect that state. WalletHub wanted to find out where people in the US are at their most content, especially in the wake of the worst of the pandemic and amid new stressors like inflation. And so it looked at all 50 states across 30 metrics, in three main categories: emotional and physical well-being, which includes such factors as life expectancy, alcohol use, social and career health, and share of adult depression; work environment (ie, unemployment rate, number of hours worked, and commute times); and community and environment, which takes into account such factors as safety, volunteerism rates, and weather. Hawaii tops the rankings, while West Virginia comes in last. Here, the top and bottom 10 states:

Happiest States

1. Hawaii (No. 1 in "Emotional & Physical Well-Being" category)
2. Maryland
3. Minnesota
4. Utah (No. 1 in "Work Environment," "Community and Environment" categories)
5. New Jersey
6. Idaho
7. California
8. Illinois
9. Nebraska
10. Connecticut

Least Happy States

41. Missouri
42. New Mexico
43. Tennessee
44. Oklahoma
45. Mississippi (last in "Work Environment" category)
46. Alabama
47. Kentucky
48. Arkansas
49. Louisiana
50. West Virginia (last in "Emotional & Physical Well-Being" category)

Check out the full list here. (These are the best states to live in overall.)