Happiness comes in many forms, but where is it easiest to find? We analyzed the data to discover America’s happiest state.
The Happiest State in the US
North Dakota
Is the happiest state in America
The Peace Garden state topped the ranking after the study found it performed well in 17 factors that contribute towards happiness, such as health, income, work-life balance and environment.
Top three states
North Dakota
North Dakota ranked the happiest out of all 50 states after performing well in a number of different factors, including the highest level of income growth over the past year, the second-best score for open spaces and beauty, and the highest number of national parks per square ft.
Vermont
In second position is Vermont, performing particularly well in factors related to health. Health factors have the highest weight in the analysis as the OECD’s Better Life Index has found that Americans rate it as the most important contributor to their happiness.
Nebraska
Nebraska places as the third happiest state, and scores the highest in the index for the best work-life balance, which is measured on factors such as commute time, number of health clubs and average working hours.
Happiest state Rankings
Discover where each state ranked for happiness
Overall Ranking | State | Health Ranking | Education Ranking | Work-Life Balance | Environment Ranking | Safety Ranking | Housing ranking | Income Ranking |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | North Dakota | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 23 | 24 | 1 |
2 | Vermont | 3 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 35 | 17 | 40 |
3 | Nebraska | 8 | 27 | 1 | 28 | 30 | 36 | 4 |
4 | South Dakota | 17 | 22 | 5 | 6 | 41 | 6 | 5 |
5 | California | 6 | 33 | 39 | 1 | 45 | 46 | 21 |
6 | Rhode Island | 18 | 7 | 27 | 2 | 33 | 41 | 33 |
7 | Iowa | 16 | 15 | 8 | 14 | 29 | 48 | 7 |
8 | Montana | 45 | 3 | 3 | 24 | 31 | 4 | 14 |
9 | Oregon | 32 | 11 | 15 | 3 | 22 | 27 | 34 |
10 | Utah | 34 | 14 | 2 | 29 | 17 | 1 | 42 |
11 | Wyoming | 28 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 41 |
12 | Georgia | 23 | 19 | 25 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 3 |
13 | Minnesota | 14 | 19 | 6 | 31 | 40 | 16 | 18 |
14 | Alaska | 9 | 30 | 18 | 21 | 1 | 23 | 49 |
15 | Idaho | 42 | 34 | 9 | 15 | 21 | 8 | 26 |
16 | South Carolina | 36 | 8 | 23 | 5 | 38 | 14 | 13 |
17 | New Jersey | 2 | 43 | 31 | 46 | 32 | 35 | 37 |
18 | Mississippi | 35 | 12 | 49 | 7 | 2 | 12 | 2 |
19 | Connecticut | 7 | 30 | 19 | 42 | 5 | 18 | 48 |
20 | Delaware | 15 | 37 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 35 |
20 | Massachusetts | 5 | 38 | 16 | 39 | 44 | 33 | 42 |
22 | Alabama | 47 | 24 | 21 | 9 | 3 | 19 | 12 |
23 | Wisconsin | 19 | 24 | 12 | 34 | 10 | 42 | 30 |
24 | Kansas | 25 | 17 | 10 | 35 | 43 | 26 | 11 |
25 | Virginia | 20 | 42 | 14 | 27 | 26 | 11 | 45 |
26 | Texas | 13 | 48 | 44 | 25 | 13 | 5 | 14 |
26 | Louisiana | 39 | 24 | 40 | 11 | 6 | 25 | 8 |
28 | Maine | 37 | 8 | 29 | 12 | 18 | 43 | 45 |
29 | Colorado | 21 | 27 | 28 | 18 | 47 | 2 | 31 |
30 | New Hampshire | 30 | 19 | 13 | 20 | 37 | 28 | 50 |
31 | North Carolina | 24 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 50 | 19 | 28 |
32 | Arkansas | 44 | 18 | 33 | 17 | 4 | 22 | 17 |
33 | Maryland | 10 | 40 | 32 | 40 | 28 | 9 | 47 |
34 | New York | 4 | 45 | 43 | 50 | 15 | 29 | 42 |
35 | Arizona | 27 | 34 | 46 | 16 | 16 | 30 | 31 |
36 | Florida | 26 | 48 | 47 | 22 | 19 | 40 | 9 |
37 | Hawaii | 12 | 4 | 38 | 43 | 38 | 50 | 22 |
38 | Indiana | 29 | 15 | 26 | 47 | 9 | 34 | 25 |
39 | Oklahoma | 48 | 50 | 17 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 23 |
40 | New Mexico | 22 | 8 | 45 | 36 | 11 | 15 | 39 |
41 | Washington | 33 | 44 | 36 | 26 | 36 | 10 | 26 |
42 | Missouri | 43 | 39 | 22 | 41 | 11 | 44 | 20 |
43 | Illinois | 11 | 47 | 41 | 49 | 49 | 45 | 10 |
44 | Michigan | 40 | 30 | 34 | 37 | 14 | 49 | 16 |
45 | Pennsylvania | 31 | 41 | 30 | 48 | 34 | 39 | 35 |
46 | Ohio | 41 | 45 | 35 | 45 | 25 | 47 | 19 |
47 | Nevada | 38 | 27 | 50 | 32 | 48 | 38 | 6 |
48 | Tennessee | 49 | 34 | 37 | 38 | 46 | 13 | 24 |
49 | West Virginia | 50 | 6 | 48 | 33 | 19 | 36 | 38 |
50 | Kentucky | 46 | 23 | 42 | 44 | 42 | 31 | 29 |
Happiest State
Health ranks as US citizens’ most important contributor towards happiness, according to the OECD Better Life Index, and the study included four separate factors within the category – depression rate, sleep, suicide numbers and number of hospitals per capita. North Dakota ranks the highest while West Virginia ranks the lowest of all 50 states.
Education is the second most important element for happiness, and Vermont comes out on top with the most higher education places per capita. In second place is North Dakota and coming in third is Montana.
Work-Life Balance is also highly valued by Americans, with the study revealing Nebraska as the best place to achieve it. This category factored in health clubs per capita, working hours, volunteer rate, unemployment rate, commute time and divorce rates, with Utah placing second and Montana third. Conversely, Nevada places 50th on the list for achieving a good balance between career and home life.
Environment is fourth on the list of things that make people happy in America, and California takes the top spot in the category, which assesses the percentage of trees covering state, open spaces and beauty and national parks. Rhode Island comes in second and Oregon third while New York ranks in last place.
Safety is ranked as the fifth most important consideration for happiness in the US. The state that has the highest safety score is Alaska followed by Mississippi, while North Carolina comes in as the least safe.
Housing is the sixth most important contributor to happiness, and sees Hawaii at the bottom of the pile, with the smallest average housing size (sq. ft) out of all the states, while Utah ranks first for housing size.
Income is the seventh and final happiness factor on the list, and North Dakota comes in first again, thanks to its income growth percentage over the last year. New Hampshire has had the lowest income growth out of all US states.
Ask The Experts
1.) How can chiropractic care contribute to greater overall happiness and health, including a good night’s sleep?
- Stress Reduction: Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce tension and stress in the body by addressing misalignments in the spine. When the body is in a state of balance, it may be better equipped to manage stress. Stress reduction is associated with improved mental well-being and overall happiness and can positively impact sleep quality.
- Pain Relief: Misalignments in the spine can lead to pain, particularly in the neck, back, and other areas. Chronic pain can significantly affect one’s mood and overall sense of well-being. Chiropractic care alleviates pain by restoring proper alignment and function to the musculoskeletal system, potentially promoting a happier and more comfortable daily experience.
- Improved Sleep Quality: Pain and discomfort from poor spinal alignment can interfere with sleep. By addressing these issues through chiropractic adjustments, individuals may find it easier to relax and achieve a more restful night’s sleep. Quality sleep is closely linked to physical and mental health, and proper spinal alignment may contribute to better sleep hygiene.
- Enhanced Nervous System Function: Chiropractic care focuses on optimizing nervous system function by improving the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. A well-functioning nervous system is crucial for maintaining overall health and can positively influence mood and emotional well-being.
2.) How does pain from a poor spinal alignment inhibit happiness and getting a good night’s sleep?
- Disruption of Sleep Patterns: Pain can make it difficult for individuals to find a comfortable position and stay asleep throughout the night. Chronic pain from poor spinal alignment may lead to sleep disruption, resulting in fatigue and diminished well-being.
- Impact on Mood and Mental Health: Persistent pain can have a profound effect on mood, contributing to feelings of irritability, frustration, and even depression. Chronic pain may create a cycle where negative emotions further exacerbate the perception of pain, affecting overall happiness and mental health.
- Daytime Fatigue and Reduced Productivity: Poor sleep quality due to pain can lead to daytime fatigue and reduced cognitive function. This can affect daily activities, work performance, and overall productivity, influencing one’s overall satisfaction with life.
1.) What triggers happiness in the brain and how does happiness promote better brain health?
It’s not surprising that happiness and brain health are closely intertwined. Happiness could be triggered in the brain in multiple ways. One crucial factor is the release of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which are often referred to as ‘feel-good’ chemicals.
They work on the reward system in the brain, which is a number of brain structures that control and regulate our ability to feel pleasure. Engaging in activities that make you happy, such as quality social time and good food can stimulate the release of these neurotransmitters.
Additionally, factors like regular exercise, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices have been linked to increased happiness.
Feeling happy can also promote better brain health. For instance, happier individuals often exhibit improved memory function, enhanced creativity, and better problem-solving skills.
Being in a positive emotional state is also linked to lower levels of stress and healthier lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a balanced diet and staying physically active, which contribute to overall brain health.
2.) How are brain health and sleep intertwined and how can individuals improve sleep?
Sleep is essential for brain health. During sleep, Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source the brain undergoes restorative processes that contribute to cognitive function, emotional regulation, and physical well-being. Research has shown that sleep is critical for Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source memory consolidation, where the brain organizes and stores information acquired throughout the day.
Sleep deficiency is linked to an increased risk of mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Moreover, ongoing sleep deprivation can contribute to heightened stress levels, impacting the brain’s ability to manage and cope with stressors effectively.
There are different ways for people to improve their sleep, and a good sleep routine can be highly individualized. So don’t be afraid to try out different things to find out what works for you.
Some common strategies include:
- Keeping a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends
- Creating a comfortable sleep environment by keeping your room cool and dark
- Limiting blue light exposure from screens before bedtime
- Limiting caffeine close to bedtime
- Getting enough sunlight and exercise for better sleep during the day
1.) How does the quality and duration of sleep in children impact their overall happiness and well-being?
When children don’t get adequate sleep, it impacts their mood, their behavior and ultimate ability to be happy.
2.) Are there specific sleep patterns or routines that have been linked to increased happiness in children?
Children need more sleep than they are typically offered. This in turn can impact their mood. When children aren’t getting adequate amounts of sleep nor good quality sleep, It can increase their likelihood of depression and anxiety.
3.) Are there particular challenges or factors that can disrupt a child’s sleep and subsequently impact their happiness?
Too many activities and not enough downtime, family time and time to reset can impact kid’s sleep, quality and duration.