# Every US state, ranked by happiness

> WalletHub analyzed 30 metrics across all 50 states to measure resident well-being and life satisfaction.
- Title: Every US state, ranked by happiness · Business Insider
- Summary: WalletHub analyzed 30 metrics across all 50 states to measure resident well-being and life satisfaction. Happiness depends on measurable factors like…
- Keywords: happiness ranking, us states, well-being, wallethub study, financial security, healthcare access, work environment, community safety, life expectancy, mental health, business, technology
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/happiest-us-states-ranked-2026-9
- Author: Roya Shahidi
- Published: 2026-09-16T16:31:26.772+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: happiness ranking, us states, well-being, wallethub study, financial security, healthcare access, work environment, community safety, life expectancy, mental health, business, technology
## What makes states happy
Happiness isn't just attitude. Financial security, healthcare access, and community all shape how satisfied residents feel about their lives.
## How WalletHub measured it
The study ranked all 50 states across three categories: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment using 30 metrics on a 100-point scale.
## Well-being metrics matter most
Emotional and physical well-being was the most heavily weighted category, measuring career satisfaction, physical health, depression rates, and life expectancy.
## Work and income count
Work environment metrics included average work hours and the share of households earning above $75,000 annually, showing financial stability matters for happiness.
## Community shapes satisfaction
Community and environment metrics tracked weather quality, daily leisure time, and safety levels, recognizing that surroundings influence overall well-being.
## Data from trusted sources
WalletHub used data from the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Gallup to ensure the rankings reflected real conditions across all states.
## Key takeaway

Happiness depends on measurable factors like financial security, healthcare access, work hours, and community safety, not just attitude.