According to research by WalletHub, the happiest states in the United States, by definition, are the places everyone wants to move to. But with the happiest states comes the ranked most miserable states, too. The personal finance company analyzed data by assessing residents’ physical and emotional well-being, work environment, and environment and community.
At a time when one in five U.S. citizens suffers from depression, it’s crucial to have a balance of all the factors addressed in the analysis. To that end, Arkansas, Tennessee, Vermont, Kentucky, and West Virginia had the highest depression rates, with many other states following closely behind.
1. West Virginia: The Unhappiest U.S. State
West Virginia is officially the unhappiest state in America, sitting at the bottom of the list of 50 states measured in the WalletHub research. The state ranked the worst and is one of the highest for depression rates and inadequate sleep.
West Virginia ranked #50 for physical and emotional well-being, the same for the work environment, and #33 for community and environment.
2. Louisiana: Ranked Second Worst Most Miserable U.S. State
Louisiana had the lowest safety ranking of any state and the highest divorce rate. The state ranked #48 in physical and emotional well-being, #49 in the work environment, and #43 in community and environment.
3. Tennessee: Third Most Miserable U.S. State
WalletHub reported that Tennessee had the fourth-highest depression rate among all states. It ranked #49 in community and environment, #49 in the work environment, and #49 in emotional and physical well-being.
4. Arkansas: Ranked Fourth for Unhappiness
Arkansas had the fifth highest rates for depression and ranked third lowest for safety. The U.S. State did better in community and environment, ranking 18th out of 50 states. However, Arkansas ranked at #49 for emotional and physical well-being and a poor #42 for the work environment.
The state ranked poorly for sports participation, coming in at the fourth lowest.
5. Kentucky: Second Highest Rate of Depression
WalletHub reported Kentucky has the fourth bottom position for adequate sleep and the second-worst depression rates. The state ranked #47 for emotional and physical well-being and #41 for community and environment. It did a little better for the work environment, ranking at #41.
6. Alabama: Fifth Lowest Safety Ranking On the List
Alabama had the second-lowest sports participation rates and was fifth from the bottom for safety. Adequate sleep was poor as the third-lowest. Alabama was #44 in emotional and physical well-being, #47 in the work environment, and #41 in community and environment.
7. Mississippi: Fourth Highest Divorce Rate
Avoid Mississippi if you’re seeking a safe state, as WalletHub ranked safety the second lowest. In addition, Mississippi has the highest divorce rate, fourth from the bottom. The state ranked #47 for the work environment, #41 for community and environment, and #42 for emotional and physical well-being.
8. Alaska: Long Work Weeks and Dark Nights
If you plan to reduce your work hours after reading The 4-hour Week by Tim Ferris, don’t go to Alaska. Alaskans work longer hours than any other U.S. state. The state has the lowest income growth and ranks #48 for the work environment.
Alaska was a little better with emotional and physical well-being, ranking at #36. However, the state ranked #47 in community and environment.
9. New Mexico: Fourth Highest Suicide Rates
New Mexica had the highest suicide and divorce rates of all the states. It ranked well for community and environment at #17 but lost points for the work environment (#45) and #43 for emotional and physical well-being.
10. Oklahoma: Poor Income Growth
Oklahoma’s income growth ranked as the fifth lowest. However, Oklahoma residents can be proud of its fourth position for community and environment. The state ranked #43 for the work environment and a dismal #46 for emotional and physical well-being.
OK, enough of the doom and gloom. There must be some happy U.S. states. Let’s discover the top 5 happiest states in the U.S.
The Happiest States in The U.S.
Let’s build the excitement and report WalletHub’s findings of the top 5 happiest U.S. states in reverse order.
5. New Jersey: Great for Emotional And Physical Well-Being
New Jersey is an excellent place to live if you value emotional and physical well-being. The state ranked #3 out of 50 states. The work environment is good, ranking at #14, and community and environment ranked at #29.
4. Minnesota: An Excellent Place To Work
Minnesota ranked third on the list for the work environment and tenth for emotional and physical well-being. Its community and environment let the state down with a ranking of #13.
3. Maryland: Ranked High for the Work Environment
Maryland had an overall excellent and balanced ranking as one of the happiest states. The state ranked #4 for the work environment, eighth for emotional and physical well-being, and fifth for community and environment.
2. Hawaii: #1 For Emotional And Physical Well-Being
The penultimate winner ranked surprisingly poor on the work environment at #25 and didn’t raise the bar for community and environment, ranking at #30. However, if you value emotional and physical well-being, get out your grass skirt because Hawaii is the place to be (any surprise there?), ranking at the elite number one spot above all 50 U.S. states.
1. Utah: Top Spot For the Happiest U.S. State
Drum roll, please. Utah is the place to live if you value happiness above all things. Utah is officially the happiest state for the work environment, community, and environment. Both ranked at the number one spot.
Utah ranked #16 for emotional and physical well-being.
So, there you have it. Utah took the top position for happiness, and West Virginia is officially the most miserable state in the U.S.
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Source: Wallethub
