Happiness is shaped by a mix of internal and external factors. We can boost it by approaching situations positively or choosing to spend time with people we love, doing activities we enjoy. However, other things are out of our control, like the cost-of-living crisis or record-high economic uncertainty – and they have taken a toll, with only 44% of Americans saying they are “very satisfied” with their lives.
Even though people across the U.S. are facing difficult times, the state in which you live may have an impact on how happy you are. In this study, WalletHub drew upon the findings of “happiness” research to determine which environmental factors are linked to a person’s overall well-being and satisfaction with life. Previous studies have found that good economic, emotional, physical and social health are all key to a well-balanced and fulfilled life.
To determine where Americans exhibit the best combination of these factors, we examined the 50 states across 30 key metrics, ranging from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate.
source: Wallethub
photo: GETTY
Photo: FilippoBacci / E+ / Getty Images