Originally published by WalletHub.
Happiness comes from a combination of internal and external factors. We can influence it somewhat by approaching situations positively or choosing to spend time with people we love, doing activities we enjoy. However, other things out of our control, like the cost-of-living crisis or the stress of being in an election year – and they have taken a toll, with only 47% 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. To determine where Americans exhibit the best combination of good economic, emotional, physical and social health, 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.
Happiness in Maryland (1=Happiest; 25=Avg.):
- Overall Rank: 2nd
- 9th – % of Depressed Adults
- 4th – Suicide Rate
- 16th – % of Civilian Labor Force Unemployed 15 Weeks or Longer
- 25th – Number of Work Hours
- 29th – Volunteer Rate
- 18th – Separation & Divorce Rate
- 17th – Safety
- 22nd – Share of Adults Feeling Active & Productive
In-Depth Look at the Happiest States
Hawaii
Hawaii is the happiest state, living up to its reputation as an island paradise, with residents reporting the highest levels of life satisfaction in the nation and the lowest depression rate.
Hawaiians also enjoy great physical health, with 86% of adults reporting that they are in good or better health, the second-best percentage in the nation. Hawaiians also have the longest life expectancy in the U.S., and nearly 72% of adults in the state report being active and productive on a daily basis.
To top things off, positive economic conditions help Hawaiians stay happy. Hawaii has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, at 2.8%, as well as the second-highest share of households with an annual income above $75,000. And while that means residents are working hard, they still get to enjoy the third-most leisure time in the country.
Maryland
Maryland is the second-happiest state, in part because it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, at 2.9%, along with the highest percentage of households earning over $75,000 per year. Maryland residents also post on social media about work-related stress less often than people in all but four other states, which shows that they have decent work conditions on top of job stability.
When surveyed about life satisfaction, Maryland residents report liking what they do and being motivated to achieve their goals at the third-highest rate in the U.S. The state also has the second-lowest share of people who report having traumatic events during their childhood, and the third-highest share of people who report having supportive relationships and love in their lives.
The Old Line State also has the fourth-lowest suicide rate in the country, which shows that people are generally having their mental health concerns addressed before they become overwhelming.
New Jersey
New Jersey is the third-happiest state, with the lowest share of people reporting traumatic events during their childhood and the second-highest life satisfaction rate. The state also has the second-lowest depression rate and the second-highest share of people who have supportive relationships and love in their lives. All these factors come together to create the conditions for good mental health.
Residents of New Jersey also demonstrate their happiness in their marriages. The Garden State has the third-lowest separation and divorce rate in the country, at around 17%.
Finally, when it comes to finances, New Jersey has the third-highest share of households earning over $75,000 per year. It also has the sixth-lowest food insecurity rate, which shows that the state is making progress when it comes to addressing poverty. Plus, New Jersey has the ninth-lowest share of people who get anxious when thinking about their personal finances.
