We don’t know about you, but we’re constantly daydreaming about moving to a new city wherein we’ll inevitably be happier than we are in our current home. Though the old saying “Wherever you go, there you are” insinuates that we will transfer all of our gripes anywhere we move, new research compiled and analyzed by WalletHub suggests otherwise. According to the site, “Previous studies (on happiness) have found that good economic, emotional, physical and social health are all key to a well-balanced and fulfilled life.” So, they looked at 28 key metrics in each of the 50 states, including depression rate and income growth, to determine which members of the USA offer environments containing the perfect storm of factors for maximal happiness. Surprisingly (to those of us who have actually never been), the state that snagged the number one spot was Minnesota. Rounding out the top ten were Utah, Hawaii, California, Nebraska, New Jersey, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and New Hampshire.
Perhaps sadly, this writer has lived in two of the lowest-ranking states, which include New Mexico, Alaska, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma and West Virginia. The study highlighted additional findings, including some that shocked us: Oregon, it seems, has the highest rate of adult depression of all 50 states, Alaskans work more hours than the rest of us, and Wyoming has the highest suicide rate. Less surprising? Nevadans have the highest rate of divorce, which is a statistic we’re guessing might have something to do with the number of quickie weddings that take place in Vegas.
These results are, overall, somewhat baffling. Maybe it’s the cute accent that makes Minnesotans so happy? And here we thought it was all murder and mayhem in that part of the world, thanks to Fargo! No offense to those who are so clearly flourishing in that happy state, but we’ll take Hawaii for its weather over Minnesota any day, even if it means losing out on a few percentage points in other areas in the process. Click here for our guide to the Aloha State and remember, flights are super cheap right now, especially if you’re only booking one-way.
