Happiest States 2025

Total Score

Economic Well-being

Family & Relationships

Physical & Mental Well-being

Environmental & Societal Wellness

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Happiness Index Score

1.	North Dakota	73.2
2.	New Hampshire	72.3
3.	Wyoming	72
4.	South Dakota	70.8
5.	Idaho	70.6
6.	Iowa	70.6
7.	Hawaii	70.2
8.	Nebraska	69.7
9.	Minnesota	69.2
10.	Vermont	68.9
11.	Connecticut	68.9
12.	Virginia	68.9
13.	Utah	68.1
14.	Wisconsin	67.9
15.	Kansas	67.6
16.	New Jersey	67.2
17.	Massachusetts	66.9
18.	Rhode Island	66.3
19.	Delaware	65.4
20.	Maine	65.4
21.	Maryland	65.2
22.	Montana	64.3
23.	Florida	63.5
24.	Colorado	63.3
25.	Pennsylvania	63
26.	Texas	63
27.	New York	62.9
28.	Michigan	62.1
29.	Illinois	61.9
30.	Georgia	61.7
31.	Oregon	61.6
32.	Washington	61.5
33.	Alaska	61.2
34.	Arizona	60.5
35.	North Carolina	60.4
36.	Ohio	60.3
37.	California	59
38.	Indiana	58.7
39.	Nevada	57.3
40.	South Carolina	56.7
41.	Missouri	55.8
42.	Alabama	54.5
43.	Kentucky	54.3
44.	Mississippi	54.2
45.	Tennessee	53.9
46.	West Virginia	53.4
47.	New Mexico	53.3
48.	Louisiana	52.7
49.	Oklahoma	52.6
50.	Arkansas	52.4

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The Pursuit of Happiness: A State-by-State Analysis
By Region
Table

The Pursuit of Happiness: A State-by-State Analysis

How does happiness vary across the 50 states of America? Is living in North Dakota fundamentally happier than living in Arkansas? Our perception of happiness is influenced by various internal and external factors. To understand and measure this elusive emotion, we need to consider an array of factors such as emotional & physical well-being, job security, income growth, work environment, and even the climate. To delve into this intriguing topic, we created a 'Happiness Score'. This score is a reflection of the state's performance across the three major categories: Emotional & Physical Well-Being, Work Environment, and Community & Environment.

North Dakota tops the list, dubbed the 'Happiest State', with a score of 73.2.
In general, states in the northern part of the country, including New Hampshire, Wyoming, and South Dakota, scored highly, indicating a higher level of happiness among their residents when compared to their counterparts in the south.
Hawaii stands out as an exception to the trend of Northern dominance, securing a seventh position on the list, owing largely to its unique mix of natural beauty and quality of life factors.
At the other end of the spectrum, Southern states like Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana scored the lowest, suggesting residents there face more challenges in maintaining optimal emotional & physical well-being, job satisfaction, and a favorable work and community environment.
There's a large disparity in scores between the happiest state (North Dakota) and the least happy state (Arkansas) – a difference of around 21 points, demonstrating significant regional differences in happiness levels across America.

Happiest States

Region ↕	Total Score↕	Economic Well-being↕	Family & Relationships↕	Physical & Mental Well-being↕	Environmental & Societal Wellness↕
Alabama	54.5	18.5	11.4	18.6	8.6
Alaska	61.2	20.7	14.5	19.1	12
Arizona	60.5	18.6	10.2	16	11.9
Arkansas	52.4	19.4	12.4	20.2	10.4
California	59	15.6	10.6	14.8	7.6
Colorado	63.3	20.5	13.6	22.2	12.6
Connecticut	68.9	19.8	13.6	22.7	10.8
Delaware	65.4	20.8	13.6	20.3	14.1
Florida	63.5	16.4	11.8	16	7.9
Georgia	61.7	18.7	10.8	23.5	9
Hawaii	70.2	17.9	10.3	13.4	11.6
Idaho	70.6	20.2	14.2	19.9	13.1
Illinois	61.9	19.3	11.1	19.2	11.3
Indiana	58.7	20.7	14.2	19.4	12.4
Iowa	70.6	21.9	12.9	23.5	12.6
Kansas	67.6	24	14.9	21.1	14.4
Kentucky	54.3	19	12.6	18.6	10.6
Louisiana	52.7	17.1	11.4	12.5	11.6
Maine	65.4	19.9	14.5	20	10.4
Maryland	65.2	19.4	13.1	18.4	11
Massachusetts	66.9	19.9	12.7	21.6	11.5
Michigan	62.1	19.5	12.8	18.8	11.4
Minnesota	69.2	22.2	15.6	21	13.7
Mississippi	54.2	16.7	10.3	20.8	5.9
Missouri	55.8	20.3	13.7	20.5	12.8
Montana	64.3	19.4	11.6	20.4	10.6
Nebraska	69.7	22.1	14.3	21.8	12.5
Nevada	57.3	19	11.9	21.6	8.5
New Hampshire	72.3	21.9	14.5	20.6	12.5
New Jersey	67.2	18.7	12.6	16	12.3
New Mexico	53.3	16.2	10.4	13.4	8.9
New York	62.9	17.9	10.6	16.2	10.7
North Carolina	60.4	18.5	10.4	18.7	9.1
North Dakota	73.2	24.3	17	20.6	11.2
Ohio	60.3	19.5	13.7	19.7	11.6
Oklahoma	52.6	20	13.3	21.1	10.2
Oregon	61.6	18	11.4	14.9	9.7
Pennsylvania	63	20	13	17.5	15
Rhode Island	66.3	19.2	11.2	20.5	8.8
South Carolina	56.7	18.1	11.4	15.4	8.8
South Dakota	70.8	21.9	13.7	20.7	12.7
Tennessee	53.9	19.8	12.3	19.2	12.2
Texas	63	19.3	11.3	20.3	11.9
Utah	68.1	22.6	16	22.4	10.4
Vermont	68.9	20.9	13.5	21.3	13.4
Virginia	68.9	20.6	14	19	10.6
Washington	61.5	19.8	12.4	21.8	8.7
West Virginia	53.4	17.9	11.8	14.3	8
Wisconsin	67.9	22	12.9	27.2	12.2
Wyoming	72	22.6	14.1	23	12.3

By Region

Alabama

See Less

Total Score

54.5

Ranked in U.S.

#42

Economic Well-being

18.5

Ranked in U.S.

#40

Family & Relationships

11.4

Ranked in U.S.

#36

Physical & Mental Well-being

18.6

Ranked in U.S.

#37

Environmental & Societal Wellness

8.6

Ranked in U.S.

#45

Alaska

Total Score

61.2

Ranked in U.S.

#33

Economic Well-being

20.7

Ranked in U.S.

#14

Family & Relationships

14.5

Ranked in U.S.

Physical & Mental Well-being

19.1

Ranked in U.S.

#32

Environmental & Societal Wellness

Ranked in U.S.

#18

Arizona

Total Score

60.5

Ranked in U.S.

#34

Economic Well-being

18.6

Ranked in U.S.

#38

Family & Relationships

10.2

Ranked in U.S.

#50

Physical & Mental Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#43

Environmental & Societal Wellness

11.9

Ranked in U.S.

#20

Arkansas

Total Score

52.4

Ranked in U.S.

#50

Economic Well-being

19.4

Ranked in U.S.

#30

Family & Relationships

12.4

Ranked in U.S.

#30

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.2

Ranked in U.S.

#25

Environmental & Societal Wellness

10.4

Ranked in U.S.

#35

California

Total Score

Ranked in U.S.

#37

Economic Well-being

15.6

Ranked in U.S.

#50

Family & Relationships

10.6

Ranked in U.S.

#45

Physical & Mental Well-being

14.8

Ranked in U.S.

#46

Environmental & Societal Wellness

7.6

Ranked in U.S.

#49

Colorado

Total Score

63.3

Ranked in U.S.

#24

Economic Well-being

20.5

Ranked in U.S.

#16

Family & Relationships

13.6

Ranked in U.S.

#17

Physical & Mental Well-being

22.2

Ranked in U.S.

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.6

Ranked in U.S.

#10

Connecticut

Total Score

68.9

Ranked in U.S.

#11

Economic Well-being

19.8

Ranked in U.S.

#24

Family & Relationships

13.6

Ranked in U.S.

#18

Physical & Mental Well-being

22.7

Ranked in U.S.

Environmental & Societal Wellness

10.8

Ranked in U.S.

#29

Delaware

Total Score

65.4

Ranked in U.S.

#19

Economic Well-being

20.8

Ranked in U.S.

#12

Family & Relationships

13.6

Ranked in U.S.

#16

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.3

Ranked in U.S.

#23

Environmental & Societal Wellness

14.1

Ranked in U.S.

Florida

Total Score

63.5

Ranked in U.S.

#23

Economic Well-being

16.4

Ranked in U.S.

#48

Family & Relationships

11.8

Ranked in U.S.

#34

Physical & Mental Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#42

Environmental & Societal Wellness

7.9

Ranked in U.S.

#48

Georgia

Total Score

61.7

Ranked in U.S.

#30

Economic Well-being

18.7

Ranked in U.S.

#37

Family & Relationships

10.8

Ranked in U.S.

#43

Physical & Mental Well-being

23.5

Ranked in U.S.

Environmental & Societal Wellness

Ranked in U.S.

#40

Hawaii

Total Score

70.2

Ranked in U.S.

Economic Well-being

17.9

Ranked in U.S.

#43

Family & Relationships

10.3

Ranked in U.S.

#48

Physical & Mental Well-being

13.4

Ranked in U.S.

#49

Environmental & Societal Wellness

11.6

Ranked in U.S.

#22

Idaho

Total Score

70.6

Ranked in U.S.

Economic Well-being

20.2

Ranked in U.S.

#18

Family & Relationships

14.2

Ranked in U.S.

#10

Physical & Mental Well-being

19.9

Ranked in U.S.

#27

Environmental & Societal Wellness

13.1

Ranked in U.S.

Illinois

Total Score

61.9

Ranked in U.S.

#29

Economic Well-being

19.3

Ranked in U.S.

#32

Family & Relationships

11.1

Ranked in U.S.

#42

Physical & Mental Well-being

19.2

Ranked in U.S.

#31

Environmental & Societal Wellness

11.3

Ranked in U.S.

#26

Indiana

Total Score

58.7

Ranked in U.S.

#38

Economic Well-being

20.7

Ranked in U.S.

#13

Family & Relationships

14.2

Ranked in U.S.

Physical & Mental Well-being

19.4

Ranked in U.S.

#29

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.4

Ranked in U.S.

#13

Iowa

Total Score

70.6

Ranked in U.S.

Economic Well-being

21.9

Ranked in U.S.

Family & Relationships

12.9

Ranked in U.S.

#24

Physical & Mental Well-being

23.5

Ranked in U.S.

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.6

Ranked in U.S.

Kansas

Total Score

67.6

Ranked in U.S.

#15

Economic Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

Family & Relationships

14.9

Ranked in U.S.

Physical & Mental Well-being

21.1

Ranked in U.S.

#13

Environmental & Societal Wellness

14.4

Ranked in U.S.

Kentucky

Total Score

54.3

Ranked in U.S.

#43

Economic Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#34

Family & Relationships

12.6

Ranked in U.S.

#27

Physical & Mental Well-being

18.6

Ranked in U.S.

#36

Environmental & Societal Wellness

10.6

Ranked in U.S.

#33

Louisiana

Total Score

52.7

Ranked in U.S.

#48

Economic Well-being

17.1

Ranked in U.S.

#46

Family & Relationships

11.4

Ranked in U.S.

#39

Physical & Mental Well-being

12.5

Ranked in U.S.

#50

Environmental & Societal Wellness

11.6

Ranked in U.S.

#23

Maine

Total Score

65.4

Ranked in U.S.

#20

Economic Well-being

19.9

Ranked in U.S.

#22

Family & Relationships

14.5

Ranked in U.S.

Physical & Mental Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#26

Environmental & Societal Wellness

10.4

Ranked in U.S.

#36

Maryland

Total Score

65.2

Ranked in U.S.

#21

Economic Well-being

19.4

Ranked in U.S.

#28

Family & Relationships

13.1

Ranked in U.S.

#21

Physical & Mental Well-being

18.4

Ranked in U.S.

#38

Environmental & Societal Wellness

Ranked in U.S.

#28

Massachusetts

Total Score

66.9

Ranked in U.S.

#17

Economic Well-being

19.9

Ranked in U.S.

#21

Family & Relationships

12.7

Ranked in U.S.

#26

Physical & Mental Well-being

21.6

Ranked in U.S.

#10

Environmental & Societal Wellness

11.5

Ranked in U.S.

#24

Michigan

Total Score

62.1

Ranked in U.S.

#28

Economic Well-being

19.5

Ranked in U.S.

#27

Family & Relationships

12.8

Ranked in U.S.

#25

Physical & Mental Well-being

18.8

Ranked in U.S.

#34

Environmental & Societal Wellness

11.4

Ranked in U.S.

#25

Minnesota

Total Score

69.2

Ranked in U.S.

Economic Well-being

22.2

Ranked in U.S.

Family & Relationships

15.6

Ranked in U.S.

Physical & Mental Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#15

Environmental & Societal Wellness

13.7

Ranked in U.S.

Mississippi

Total Score

54.2

Ranked in U.S.

#44

Economic Well-being

16.7

Ranked in U.S.

#47

Family & Relationships

10.3

Ranked in U.S.

#49

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.8

Ranked in U.S.

#16

Environmental & Societal Wellness

5.9

Ranked in U.S.

#50

Missouri

Total Score

55.8

Ranked in U.S.

#41

Economic Well-being

20.3

Ranked in U.S.

#17

Family & Relationships

13.7

Ranked in U.S.

#14

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.5

Ranked in U.S.

#20

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.8

Ranked in U.S.

Montana

Total Score

64.3

Ranked in U.S.

#22

Economic Well-being

19.4

Ranked in U.S.

#29

Family & Relationships

11.6

Ranked in U.S.

#35

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.4

Ranked in U.S.

#22

Environmental & Societal Wellness

10.6

Ranked in U.S.

#31

Nebraska

Total Score

69.7

Ranked in U.S.

Economic Well-being

22.1

Ranked in U.S.

Family & Relationships

14.3

Ranked in U.S.

Physical & Mental Well-being

21.8

Ranked in U.S.

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.5

Ranked in U.S.

#11

Nevada

Total Score

57.3

Ranked in U.S.

#39

Economic Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#35

Family & Relationships

11.9

Ranked in U.S.

#32

Physical & Mental Well-being

21.6

Ranked in U.S.

#11

Environmental & Societal Wellness

8.5

Ranked in U.S.

#46

New Hampshire

Total Score

72.3

Ranked in U.S.

Economic Well-being

21.9

Ranked in U.S.

#10

Family & Relationships

14.5

Ranked in U.S.

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.6

Ranked in U.S.

#19

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.5

Ranked in U.S.

#12

New Jersey

Total Score

67.2

Ranked in U.S.

#16

Economic Well-being

18.7

Ranked in U.S.

#36

Family & Relationships

12.6

Ranked in U.S.

#28

Physical & Mental Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#41

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.3

Ranked in U.S.

#15

New Mexico

Total Score

53.3

Ranked in U.S.

#47

Economic Well-being

16.2

Ranked in U.S.

#49

Family & Relationships

10.4

Ranked in U.S.

#47

Physical & Mental Well-being

13.4

Ranked in U.S.

#48

Environmental & Societal Wellness

8.9

Ranked in U.S.

#41

New York

Total Score

62.9

Ranked in U.S.

#27

Economic Well-being

17.9

Ranked in U.S.

#44

Family & Relationships

10.6

Ranked in U.S.

#44

Physical & Mental Well-being

16.2

Ranked in U.S.

#40

Environmental & Societal Wellness

10.7

Ranked in U.S.

#30

North Carolina

Total Score

60.4

Ranked in U.S.

#35

Economic Well-being

18.5

Ranked in U.S.

#39

Family & Relationships

10.4

Ranked in U.S.

#46

Physical & Mental Well-being

18.7

Ranked in U.S.

#35

Environmental & Societal Wellness

9.1

Ranked in U.S.

#39

North Dakota

Total Score

73.2

Ranked in U.S.

Economic Well-being

24.3

Ranked in U.S.

Family & Relationships

Ranked in U.S.

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.6

Ranked in U.S.

#18

Environmental & Societal Wellness

11.2

Ranked in U.S.

#27

Ohio

Total Score

60.3

Ranked in U.S.

#36

Economic Well-being

19.5

Ranked in U.S.

#26

Family & Relationships

13.7

Ranked in U.S.

#15

Physical & Mental Well-being

19.7

Ranked in U.S.

#28

Environmental & Societal Wellness

11.6

Ranked in U.S.

#21

Oklahoma

Total Score

52.6

Ranked in U.S.

#49

Economic Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#20

Family & Relationships

13.3

Ranked in U.S.

#20

Physical & Mental Well-being

21.1

Ranked in U.S.

#14

Environmental & Societal Wellness

10.2

Ranked in U.S.

#37

Oregon

Total Score

61.6

Ranked in U.S.

#31

Economic Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#42

Family & Relationships

11.4

Ranked in U.S.

#38

Physical & Mental Well-being

14.9

Ranked in U.S.

#45

Environmental & Societal Wellness

9.7

Ranked in U.S.

#38

Pennsylvania

Total Score

Ranked in U.S.

#25

Economic Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#19

Family & Relationships

Ranked in U.S.

#22

Physical & Mental Well-being

17.5

Ranked in U.S.

#39

Environmental & Societal Wellness

Ranked in U.S.

Rhode Island

Total Score

66.3

Ranked in U.S.

#18

Economic Well-being

19.2

Ranked in U.S.

#33

Family & Relationships

11.2

Ranked in U.S.

#41

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.5

Ranked in U.S.

#21

Environmental & Societal Wellness

8.8

Ranked in U.S.

#42

South Carolina

Total Score

56.7

Ranked in U.S.

#40

Economic Well-being

18.1

Ranked in U.S.

#41

Family & Relationships

11.4

Ranked in U.S.

#37

Physical & Mental Well-being

15.4

Ranked in U.S.

#44

Environmental & Societal Wellness

8.8

Ranked in U.S.

#43

South Dakota

Total Score

70.8

Ranked in U.S.

Economic Well-being

21.9

Ranked in U.S.

Family & Relationships

13.7

Ranked in U.S.

#13

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.7

Ranked in U.S.

#17

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.7

Ranked in U.S.

Tennessee

Total Score

53.9

Ranked in U.S.

#45

Economic Well-being

19.8

Ranked in U.S.

#23

Family & Relationships

12.3

Ranked in U.S.

#31

Physical & Mental Well-being

19.2

Ranked in U.S.

#30

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.2

Ranked in U.S.

#17

Texas

Total Score

Ranked in U.S.

#26

Economic Well-being

19.3

Ranked in U.S.

#31

Family & Relationships

11.3

Ranked in U.S.

#40

Physical & Mental Well-being

20.3

Ranked in U.S.

#24

Environmental & Societal Wellness

11.9

Ranked in U.S.

#19

Utah

Total Score

68.1

Ranked in U.S.

#13

Economic Well-being

22.6

Ranked in U.S.

Family & Relationships

Ranked in U.S.

Physical & Mental Well-being

22.4

Ranked in U.S.

Environmental & Societal Wellness

10.4

Ranked in U.S.

#34

Vermont

Total Score

68.9

Ranked in U.S.

#10

Economic Well-being

20.9

Ranked in U.S.

#11

Family & Relationships

13.5

Ranked in U.S.

#19

Physical & Mental Well-being

21.3

Ranked in U.S.

#12

Environmental & Societal Wellness

13.4

Ranked in U.S.

Virginia

Total Score

68.9

Ranked in U.S.

#12

Economic Well-being

20.6

Ranked in U.S.

#15

Family & Relationships

Ranked in U.S.

#12

Physical & Mental Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

#33

Environmental & Societal Wellness

10.6

Ranked in U.S.

#32

Washington

Total Score

61.5

Ranked in U.S.

#32

Economic Well-being

19.8

Ranked in U.S.

#25

Family & Relationships

12.4

Ranked in U.S.

#29

Physical & Mental Well-being

21.8

Ranked in U.S.

Environmental & Societal Wellness

8.7

Ranked in U.S.

#44

West Virginia

Total Score

53.4

Ranked in U.S.

#46

Economic Well-being

17.9

Ranked in U.S.

#45

Family & Relationships

11.8

Ranked in U.S.

#33

Physical & Mental Well-being

14.3

Ranked in U.S.

#47

Environmental & Societal Wellness

Ranked in U.S.

#47

Wisconsin

Total Score

67.9

Ranked in U.S.

#14

Economic Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

Family & Relationships

12.9

Ranked in U.S.

#23

Physical & Mental Well-being

27.2

Ranked in U.S.

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.2

Ranked in U.S.

#16

Wyoming

Total Score

Ranked in U.S.

Economic Well-being

22.6

Ranked in U.S.

Family & Relationships

14.1

Ranked in U.S.

#11

Physical & Mental Well-being

Ranked in U.S.

Environmental & Societal Wellness

12.3

Ranked in U.S.

#14

Happiest States

Table of Contents

The Pursuit of Happiness: A State-by-State Analysis

Happiest States

By Region

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Additional Global Rankings

Worst Airports to Fly Out Of

Worst Drivers By State

Worst States To Live In

Best & Worst States for Food

Best State To Teach In

Best States For Education