Special Report

America's Happiest (and Most Miserable) States

Samuel Stebbins, Thomas C. Frohlich, Evan Comen

Published: March 3, 2016 1:26 pm

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 12:24 pm

America’s well-being remains generally unchanged from 2014. Some significant changes, however, have occurred over the past eight years. Nearly across the board, Americans are more likely to have health insurance, exercise more, and are less likely to smoke than they were in 2008.

To capture Americans’ general well-being, Gallup surveyed 177,281 people to build the Well-Being Index. The index measures whether individuals feel a sense of purpose, have supportive relationships, are financially secure, are satisfied with the community in which they live, and are in good health.

24/7 Wall St. matched Gallup’s ranking with data on health habits and outcomes, educational attainment, crime, and several other economic measures. This year, Hawaii overtook Alaska as the state with the highest well-being, while West Virginia had the lowest reported well-being for the seventh year in a row.
While Gallup’s ranking is based on subjective responses, states’ well-being scores tend to correlate strongly with several objective measures of health, economy, educational attainment, and community. In an interview with 24/7 Wall St., Dan Witters, research director at the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, explained that over the eight years the survey has been conducted, there are several predictable patterns.

Click here to see America’s happiest (and most miserable) states.

According to Witters, “if you look at the high well-being states… folks that live there generally take better care of themselves.” Indeed, in 13 of the 15 states with the lowest reported well-being, a smaller than average share of adults exercise regularly. Unhealthy behavior leads to negative outcomes, and 13 of those same 15 states also have a larger share of adults with high blood pressure compared to the country as a whole. Similarly, of the 15 states with the highest reported well-being, 12 are home to an adult population more likely to exercise than the nation’s adult population. Witters confirmed that residents of states with high-well being are less likely to suffer from a variety of health issues, including high blood pressure. Indeed, 12 of the 15 happiest states have a smaller share of adults with high blood pressure than the country as a whole.

There is also a strong correlation with educational attainment and overall well-being. The states with more educated populations do not necessarily have the highest overall well-being. The states that have especially low shares of college-educated adults, however, tend to report very poor well-being. The college attainment rate in each of the 10 worst ranked states is lower than the 30.1% national rate. In West Virginia, the lowest scoring state on the well-being index, only 19.2% of adults have a bachelor’s degree, the smallest share of any state in the country.

Similarly, while the correlation between higher incomes and overall happiness is not especially strong, it is clear that it is much more difficult to maintain happiness below a certain level of wealth. The median income in each of the 10 states with the lowest levels of well-being is less than the $53,657 the typical American household earns annually. Similarly, eight of the 10 states with the lowest levels of well-being have a higher poverty rate than the 15.5% national rate. Witters confirmed that “a big distinguisher between high well-being populations and low well-being populations is hav[ing] enough money to do everything that you want to do.”

There is also a strong regional pattern among states reporting the highest and lowest level of well-being. Many of the highest ranking states are in the Western U.S., particularly the Rocky Mountain States. Meanwhile, the states with the lowest sense of well-being tend to be in the South and Midwest.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed all 50 U.S. states based on their scores in the Gallup-Healthways 2015 Well-Being Index. Gallup-Healthways calculated a national well-being score as well as one for each state based on interviews conducted between January 2 and December 30, 2015, with a random sample of 177,281 adults. As part of the rank, Gallup combined five separate essential elements of well-being. In addition to the index, 24/7 Wall St. considered data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2014 American Community Survey, including median household income, poverty rates, and adult educational attainment rates. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we reviewed 2015 annual state unemployment rates and 2014 average hours worked among private nonfarm workers. We also reviewed 2014 obesity and teen pregnancy rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Incidence of heart disease in 2014 is from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The share of the population with low incomes and low access to healthy food comes from the Department of Agriculture’s Food Environment Atlas. Low access is defined as living more than one mile from a supermarket in an urban area or more than 10 miles from a supermarket in a rural area. We also considered state violent crime rates in 2014 from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report Program. Lastly, we used 2013 regional price parity from the Bureau of Economic Analysis as a proxy for cost of living. All other data come from the United Health Foundation’s 2015 report “America’s Health Rankings”.

These are America’s happiest (and most miserable) states.

1. Hawaii
> Poverty rate: 11.4% (7th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.6% (6th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 22.1% (2nd lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 31.0% (16th highest)

Hawaiians are the happiest people in the United States. Living in a place often referred to as paradise almost certainly plays a role. With relatively healthy behaviors and access to one of the nation’s first near-universal health care systems, Hawaiians are also very healthy. Residents report nearly the lowest incidences of heart-related ailments such as high blood pressure and heart attacks, and the second lowest cancer death rate after only Utah. Partly as a consequence, premature death is also relatively uncommon in Hawaii.

State residents are happy, but Hawaii is the least affordable state to live in the country. The distance goods must travel from the mainland is one factor. Another is the exceptionally high cost of housing on the islands, which is driven by extremely high demand from wealthy individuals around the world.

2. Alaska
> Poverty rate: 11.2% (6th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.5% (4th highest)
> Obesity rate: 29.7% (24th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 28.0% (24th lowest)

High incomes and strong educational attainment may contribute to the high level of reported happiness of Alaska residents. The typical household in Alaska makes $71,583 a year, the third highest median income of any state after Maryland and New Jersey. About 93% of Alaskan adults have at least a high school diploma, the highest share in the country. Financial well-being was the largest driver of happiness in the state. Alaskans are considerably more likely than Americans nationwide to say they have enough money to do everything they want to do.

Alaskans maintain a relatively healthy lifestyle, another key to happiness. Their vegetable intake per capita surpasses that of 45 other states. Alaskan adults also have above average rates of physical activity, and below average rates of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.

3. Montana
> Poverty rate: 15.4% (22nd highest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.1% (12th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 26.4% (9th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.3% (22nd highest)

Montana trails just Hawaii and Alaska in residents’ well-being. Unlike most of the nation’s happiest states, however, Montana residents are not especially wealthy. The typical household earns $46,328 annually, lower than the national median of $53,657. State residents also report relatively high tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as the nation’s highest suicide rate. Alcoholism is one driver of the high suicide rate, as is social isolation and rural living, according to Montana’s department of public health. American Indians, who make up just 6% of the state population, are by far the most likely to commit suicide in Montana.

Despite this, Montanans are on the whole very happy. Residents report relatively healthy behaviors, and among the lowest incidences of heart-related ailments. Just 30% of adults report insufficient sleep, one of the lowest proportions. Also, Montana’s economy is relatively strong with an unemployment rate of just 4.1%, one of the lowest nationwide.

4. Colorado
> Poverty rate: 12.0% (13th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.9% (10th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 21.3% (the lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 38.3% (2nd highest)

Colorado residents are some of the nation’s most active Americans. This has likely helped improve health outcomes and increase the odds of residents living happy lives. Just 83.6% of adults in the state report physical activity, the highest percentage nationwide. Perhaps as a result, Colorado’s obesity rate of 21.3% is the lowest in the country. The incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes diagnoses, and cardiovascular deaths in Colorado each rank second lowest compared to other states.

State residents are also relatively well educated, which not only helps increase incomes but also is itself a factor in well-being. More than 38% of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree, the second highest share after only Massachusetts.

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5. Wyoming
> Poverty rate: 11.2% (6th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.2% (15th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 29.5% (24th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.6% (15th lowest)

Wyoming is one of several Great Plains states among the happiest in the country. The state’s strong education system likely contributes to the well-being of its residents. At 92.6%, the share of state adults with at least a high school diploma is the second highest in the country.

In interviews with Gallup, Wyoming residents also exhibited a particularly strong sense of community. This may be partially due to the low incidence of crime and poverty in the state. At 11.2%, Wyoming’s poverty rate is the sixth lowest of all states. Similarly, the violent crime rate of 196 incidents per 100,000 residents each year is the third lowest nationwide.

6. South Dakota
> Poverty rate: 14.2% (23rd lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.1% (3rd lowest)
> Obesity rate: 29.8% (23rd highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.8% (23rd lowest)

With one of the lowest costs of living in the country, a dollar is worth more in South Dakota than in any state other than Arkansas or Mississippi. In addition to the financial stability this provides, state residents reported a particularly strong sense of community. In a Gallup survey, approximately three quarters of respondents said their home was a perfect place to live, a considerably higher proportion than the national average share.

Another key to happiness may be healthy habits among South Dakota residents. The state is home to relatively small shares of adults who are physically inactive or obese, and the smallest share of adults who receive insufficient sleep in the country. Unlike most of the nation’s happiest states, however, South Dakota has one of the highest infant mortality rates. More than seven in 1,000 South Dakota infants die before turning one, with a disproportionately high incidence among American Indians in the state.

7. Minnesota
> Poverty rate: 11.5% (9th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.7% (9th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 27.6% (15th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.3% (10th highest)

Only 3.7% of Minnesota’s workforce is out of a job compared to 5.3% of the national workforce. A low unemployment rate certainly has a positive effect on the state’s relatively high score on the well-being index. Also contributing to the high level of well-being is the high incomes in the state. The typical Minnesota household earns $61,481 annually, nearly $8,000 more than the typical American household.

Good health is a key component to overall well-being, and Minnesota residents are among the healthiest in the country. A larger percentage of adults in the state is active than is typical across the country, and relatively few people die from heart disease in Minnesota compared to any other state.

8. Utah
> Poverty rate: 11.7% (11th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.5% (5th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 25.7% (6th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 31.1% (15th highest)

Healthy behaviors and a strong economy help keep Utah residents happy. Of adults in the state, 9.7% smoke and 11.4% report binge drinking, the lowest and third lowest rates nationwide. Also, 83.2% of adults exercise regularly, the third highest proportion. Further, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart attacks are all the least common in Utah compared to other states.

Utah’s unemployment rate of 3.5% is the fifth lowest in the nation and well below the national 2015 rate of 5.3%. Job market stability does not necessarily mean jobs are high paying, but in Utah, residents are well-off financially. The median household income of $60,922 a year is one of the higher income figures of all states and well above the national median.

9. Arizona
> Poverty rate: 18.2% (10th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.1% (8th highest)
> Obesity rate: 28.9% (22nd lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.6% (20th lowest)

Arizona’s unemployment rate of 6.1% and poverty rate of 18.2% are among the highest in the country. Median annual household income in the state of $50,068 is also about $3,500 less than the national median. Yet Arizona might be proof that money cannot buy happiness. Despite ranking poorly in several economic measures, state residents are among the happiest in the country.

Adults in the state are physically healthier than most Americans by several measures. Not only are people in Arizona more likely to exercise than most other Americans, but they are also less likely to be obese, smoke, and die of cancer.

10. California
> Poverty rate: 16.4% (17th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.2% (7th highest)
> Obesity rate: 24.7% (4th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 31.7% (13th highest)

Access to healthy food and eating healthy contribute to California residents’ high well-being ranking. Just 12.3% of state residents report having low access to food, the second lowest percentage nationwide. With residents also reporting the highest daily fruit and vegetable consumption of 1.7 and 2.2 servings per person on average, Californians have some of the healthiest diets in the nation. While the state has the lowest share of adults with at least a high school diploma, at 82.1%, a relatively high share of adults, 31.7%, have at least a college diploma. College attainment partially explains the high incomes in California and also may contribute to happiness in the state. A typical California household earns $61,933 annually, the ninth highest median income among all states.

11. Texas
> Poverty rate: 17.2% (12th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.5% (18th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 31.9% (11th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.8% (23rd lowest)

Texas residents report having a strong sense of purpose, which means residents generally like what they do each day and have motivation to meet their goals. For many this may fit well with the average Texan workweek, which at 36.5 hours is the longest in the country. The Texan economy is relatively vibrant. The unemployment rate of 4.5% is lower than the national unemployment rate of 5.3%.

Texas residents are in good shape, both physically and psychologically. The average adult in the state experiences only three days per month of poor mental health, the eighth fewest nationwide. Texas residents also report a lower smoking rate and a lower incidence of heart attacks and cancer deaths than the country as a whole.

12. Florida
> Poverty rate: 16.5% (16th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.4% (20th highest)
> Obesity rate: 26.2% (7th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.3% (16th lowest)

Florida residents are better off than the majority of Americans by several, primarily health-related, measures. Only about 26% of adults in the Sunshine State are obese, a smaller share than in all but a handful of other states and considerably smaller than the 35% national obesity rate. Floridians are also less likely to die of cancer or cardiovascular disease than most other Americans. Also likely contributing to a better overall sense of well-being, state adults are more likely to have graduated high school and less likely to smoke than the typical American.

13. Wisconsin
> Poverty rate: 13.2% (19th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.6% (19th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 31.2% (14th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 28.4% (25th lowest)

Wisconsin’s relatively high level of well-being is driven by several positive measures. Violent crime is relatively uncommon in Wisconsin at a rate of 290 incidents per 100,000 residents, much lower than the nationwide rate of 366 incidents per 100,000 Americans. While the median household income in Wisconsin of $52,622 a year is roughly in line with the national figure, state residents get more bang for their buck. Goods and services in the Badger State cost about 7% less than they do on average across the nation. Workers in Wisconsin are also less likely to be out of a job than most Americans as the state’s 4.6% unemployment rate is well below the 5.3% national rate.

14. Iowa
> Poverty rate: 12.2% (15th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.7% (9th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 30.9% (16th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.7% (21st lowest)

With a violent crime rate of 274 incidents per 100,000 residents and regional price parity of 90 cents on the dollar, Iowa is safer and more affordable than most of the country. For these reasons, individuals may be more inclined to support local businesses and engage in the community, which Iowans report being particularly strong in the state. In a Gallup survey, Iowans are more likely than Americans nationwide to report having enough money to do everything they want to do.

Iowa is one of many Midwestern states with a strong high school graduation rate and happy residents. About 90% of the state’s ninth graders finish high school within four years, the fourth best graduation rate nationwide. Residents are also in good psychological shape. The average Iowan experiences just three days of poor mental health per month, the eighth least nationwide.

15. North Dakota
> Poverty rate: 11.5% (9th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 2.7% (the lowest)
> Obesity rate: 32.2% (9th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.4% (18th lowest)

North Dakota’s energy sector boom has been driving favorable economic outcomes. The state’s 2015 unemployment rate of 2.7% continues to be the lowest in the nation, and incomes have been growing over the past several years. The median annual household income rose from $51,371 in 2012 to $59,029 last year. While generally positive, the surge in employment opportunities and the rising wages have also been driving up demand for housing, which lowered the availability of affordable housing. This was one of the most common complaints in Gallup’s survey of the state. Also, 24% of North Dakotan adults report binge drinking on a regular basis, the highest proportion of any state.

16. New Mexico
> Poverty rate: 21.3% (2nd highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.6% (3rd highest)
> Obesity rate: 28.4% (19th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.4% (13th lowest)

For a state reporting greater well-being than most states, New Mexico has some of the nation’s poorest socioeconomic indicators. More than one in five state residents lives in poverty, and close to one-third struggle to access adequate food, the second highest and highest proportions in the country. Despite the financial insecurity, over 40% of survey respondents said they had enough money for everything they wanted to do, a higher share than the national share.

New Mexico’s violent crime rate of 597 incidents per 100,000 residents is fourth highest of all states and a hindrance to community members feeling safe where they live — a key feature of the Gallup’s assessment of well-being.

17. Virginia
> Poverty rate: 11.8% (12th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.4% (17th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 28.5% (20th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 36.7% (6th highest)

Several socioeconomic conditions in Virginia contribute to the state’s relatively high level of well-being. Nearly 37% of adults in the state have at least a bachelor’s degree, one of the highest college attainment rates in the country. As educational attainment increases, salaries often do as well, and workers in Virginia are among the most highly compensated in the country. The typical household in the state earns $64,902 annually, over $10,000 more than the typical American household.

Virginians also likely find peace of mind in the low incidence of violent crime. With 196 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents each year, Virginia is one of the safest states in the country.

18. Connecticut
> Poverty rate: 10.8% (3rd lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.6% (18th highest)
> Obesity rate: 26.3% (8th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 38.0% (4th highest)

Economic security is crucial to a sense of well-being, and Connecticut residents are among the least likely to live in poverty. The state’s poverty rate of 10.8% is the third lowest of all states after only Maryland and New Hampshire. Low poverty in the Constitution State is closely associated with high incomes and high educational attainment. Connecticut has the fourth highest annual median household income at $70,000, as well as the fourth highest college attainment rate, at 38% of adults.

While Connecticut residents are among the best paid in the country, they are only slightly more likely than most Americans to say they have enough money to do everything they want. This could be due in part to the state’s high cost of living. Goods and services in Connecticut are approximately 9% more expensive than they are across the country.

19. South Carolina
> Poverty rate: 18.0% (11th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.0% (10th highest)
> Obesity rate: 32.1% (10th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.3% (12th lowest)

South Carolina residents were the most likely to report supportive and loving relationships on Gallup’s survey. Residents also reported a greater sense of purpose compared to residents in all but a handful of states. Looking at the socioeconomic data for the state, however, the relatively high level of well-being might be surprising. With a median income of $45,238 a year, households in the state have some of the lowest incomes, and the poverty rate of 18.0% is on the higher end compared to other states.

Residents also do not have especially healthy habits. For example, 21.5% of adults report a smoking habit, the eighth highest smoking rate. Also, 37.7% of adults in the state do not get sufficient sleep, the seventh highest nationwide.

20. Nebraska
> Poverty rate: 12.4% (16th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.0% (2nd lowest)
> Obesity rate: 30.2% (20th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.5% (20th highest)

Although Nebraska’s economy is relatively strong and residents are generally in good health, Nebraskans do not report especially high levels of well-being. The state’s unemployment rate of 3.0% is one of the lowest in the country and considerably lower than the 5.3% national rate. Residents of Nebraska also enjoy a lower cost of living than the vast majority of Americans. Goods and services in the Cornhusker State cost about 9.5% less than they do across the country on average.

Nebraskans are in relatively good psychological health. State residents report an average of 2.8 poor mental health days a month, nearly a full day less than the nationwide average. Better than average mental health often accompanies adequate rest and exercise. Adults in the state are more likely to participate in physical activity in their free time and get adequate sleep than most Americans.

21. New Hampshire
> Poverty rate: 9.2% (the lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.4% (4th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 27.4% (14th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 35.0% (7th highest)

There are 196 violent violent crimes per 100,000 residents in New Hampshire, the fourth lowest crime rate nationwide. In addition safe communities, financial prosperity is also relatively widespread in New Hampshire. The state’s $66,532 annual median household income is the seventh highest of any state, and the 9.2% poverty rate is the lowest of any state. However, and the cost of goods in New Hampshire is the ninth highest of any state.

At just 33.4 hours on average, New Hampshire residents have one of the shortest workweeks nationwide. While the extra leisure time may contribute positively to some categories of well-being, it may also reflect less motivation to meet goals among many workers in the state. New Hampshire residents report having one of the weakest senses of purpose in the nation.

22. Maine
> Poverty rate: 14.1% (22nd lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.4% (17th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 28.2% (18th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.4% (21st highest)

An especially safe state, Maine’s violent crime rate of 128 incidents per 100,000 residents is the second lowest in the country. State residents also enjoy relative economic security. The state’s poverty rate of 14.1% and unemployment rate of 4.4% are each slightly lower than the corresponding national figure. The cost of living in Maine is also relatively low. State residents pay about 2.3% less for goods and services than most Americans. The elements contributing most to the level of well-being among Maine residents are a sense of financial health and a strong community.

23. North Carolina
> Poverty rate: 17.2% (12th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.7% (15th highest)
> Obesity rate: 29.7% (24th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 28.7% (25th highest)

North Carolina residents report relatively moderate levels of happiness. Not surprisingly, the state does not stand out in most socioeconomic measures related to well-being. Of North Carolina adults, 28.7% have at least a bachelor’s degree, lower than the 30.1% national college attainment rate. Also, 76.8% report physical activity, in line with the 77.4% of adults nationwide who are active. Degrees of happiness tend to cluster geographically, and residents of North Carolina report similar levels of well-being as their neighbors in Virginia and South Carolina.

24. Washington
> Poverty rate: 13.2% (19th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.7% (15th highest)
> Obesity rate: 27.3% (13th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.1% (11th highest)

Washington residents do not report especially good or especially bad well-being relative to the country as a whole. Despite their unremarkable levels of happiness, adults in Washington tend to maintain healthier habits, be better educated, and better paid than most Americans. Only about 82% of adults in Washington exercise regularly and only about 15% report a smoking habit, each lower than the corresponding national shares. Additionally, more than 33% of adults in the state have a bachelor’s degree compared to 30% of American adults. Also, the typical Washington household earns nearly $8,000 more per year than the typical American household. On the other hand, many members of Washington’s workforce may be struggling more than workers nationwide. The state’s jobless rate of 5.7% is higher than the national 2015 rate.

25. Kansas
> Poverty rate: 13.6% (21st lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.2% (15th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 31.3% (13th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 31.5% (14th highest)

Just as Kansas residents report levels of well-being in line with or slightly better than the nation, a number of socioeconomic indicators in Kansas are average compared to other states. Poverty and violent crime are each slightly less common in Kansas than they are across the country. Adults in the state are also somewhat more likely to have graduated high school and to have completed a bachelor’s degree than adults nationwide. Further, a smaller share of workers are out of a job in Kansas than the nationwide unemployment rate. Yet, financial insecurity was one of the more common complaints among survey respondents in Kansas.

26. Rhode Island
> Poverty rate: 14.3% (24th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.0% (10th highest)
> Obesity rate: 27.0% (12th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.4% (19th highest)

Rhode Island residents report levels of happiness similar to their New England neighbors, Vermont and Massachusetts. Rhode Islanders report a lower sense of purpose than Americans nationwide, but say they feel good about their social lives. The 33 hour average workweek in the state is the third lowest in the nation, which may leave more time for socializing. Rhode Island also has one of the lower suicide rates of any state. Also, the teen birth rate, which when high often reflects a range of economic and social problems, is the seventh lowest nationwide.

27. Delaware
> Poverty rate: 12.5% (17th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.9% (22nd lowest)
> Obesity rate: 30.7% (17th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.6% (18th highest)

Delaware residents do not report an especially high level of happiness. One likely explanation may be relatively unhealthy habits among adults in the state. Roughly 20% of adults in Delaware report a smoking habit, more than the 18% of American adults who smoke. Additionally, more than 37% of state adults are sleep deprived, one of the highest shares in the nation. Along with inadequate sleep and a high smoking rate, adults in Delaware are less likely than most Americans to exercise. Approximately three quarters of Delaware’s adult population exercises in their free time, a higher share than the 77.4% of Americans who participate in physical activity.

28. Alabama
> Poverty rate: 19.3% (4th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.1% (8th highest)
> Obesity rate: 33.5% (5th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.5% (7th lowest)

Alabama residents seem to work long hours for relatively little pay. The 35.5 hour average workweek in the state is the sixth longest in the nation, yet the $42,830 a typical household makes annually is the fourth lowest.

Residents report having a strong sense of purpose but feel financially insecure. State residents also report feeling unhappy with their physical health. This may be partially due to the 38.4% of adults who get insufficient sleep, or the 27.6% who do not exercise regularly, the fifth and seventh highest such shares nationwide.

29. Vermont
> Poverty rate: 12.2% (15th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.7% (9th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 24.8% (5th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.9% (8th highest)

Only 3.7% of Vermont’s workforce is looking for a job, considerably less than the 5.3% national unemployment rate. Additionally, Vermonters are more likely to have had a comprehensive education than most Americans, as 35% of adults in the state have a bachelor’s degree compared to a national college attainment rate of only 30%. Most notable, however, is the relative low incidence of violent crime in the Green Mountain State. Fewer than 100 violent crimes are reported for every 100,000 residents annually in Vermont, the lowest violent crime rate in the country. Survey respondents in the state reported the second-lowest sense of purpose of all states, however. And while Vermont does better than most states in some socioeconomic measures, other data suggests many state residents struggle more than other Americans. There are an estimated 17 suicides for every 100,000 state residents each year, higher than the national suicide rate of 13 incidents per 100,000 people.

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30. Massachusetts
> Poverty rate: 11.6% (10th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.0% (24th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 23.3% (3rd lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 41.2% (the highest)

Like neighboring Vermont and Rhode Island, Massachusetts is one of many New England states to report moderate levels of happiness. Of adults in the state, 41.2% have at least a bachelor’s degree, the highest such share in the country. Also, a typical household earns $69,160 annually, the sixth most. Nevertheless, survey responses suggest state residents do not feel particularly fulfilled in their daily lives and many are unmotivated to achieve their goals — indicating a lack of purpose. Residents in the state spend less time working than most Americans, as their 33.3 hour average workweek is the fourth shortest of any state.

31. Oregon
> Poverty rate: 16.6% (14th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.7% (15th highest)
> Obesity rate: 27.9% (17th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.8% (17th highest)

High or low levels of well-being tend to cluster in certain regions, and Oregon residents report levels of happiness similar to their tripoint neighbors in Idaho and Nevada. While Oregon residents rank in line with the average American in most measures of happiness, their strongest feelings are for their community. With about 130 fewer violent crimes per 100,00 residents in Oregon than the nationwide rate, Oregon is one of the safer states in the country. Another sign of relatively healthy communities, just 17.0% of residents struggle to access adequate food, one of the smallest shares nationwide.

32. New Jersey
> Poverty rate: 11.1% (4th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.6% (18th highest)
> Obesity rate: 26.9% (10th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 37.4% (5th highest)

The typical New Jersey household earns $72,000 each year, more than in any other state except for Maryland. Despite higher incomes, New Jersey residents are not especially happy. One potential explanation may be relatively unhealthy habits. Adults in New Jersey are less likely to get adequate amounts of sleep or exercise than most Americans. Additionally, higher incomes in the Garden State may not mean residents are necessarily wealthier as goods and services in the state are among the most expensive in the country.

33. Pennsylvania
> Poverty rate: 13.6% (21st lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.1% (25th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 30.2% (20th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.0% (24th highest)

In Pennsylvania, both median household income and the unemployment rate are roughly in line with the corresponding national figures. Additionally, the 13.6% share of residents living below the poverty line is lower than the 15.5% national poverty rate. Despite the similarities and advantages, Pennsylvanians are not as happy as most Americans. The relatively low well-being rank could be the result of poor health outcomes, as adults in Pennsylvania lag behind the country in several health measures. Pennsylvanians are more likely to smoke, have high blood pressure, suffer a stroke, or die of heart disease or cancer than most Americans.

34. Maryland
> Poverty rate: 10.1% (2nd lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.2% (24th highest)
> Obesity rate: 29.6% (25th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 38.2% (3rd highest)

The typical household in Maryland makes $73,971 a year, over $20,000 more than the national median income and the most of any state. According to interviews conducted with state residents, most are somewhat confident in their finances but have a particularly weak sense of community. Crime may be one element damaging community strength in Maryland, as the violent crime rate of 446 incidents per 100,000 residents is the 10th highest in the country. Maryland residents also report having fulfilling social lives and the fifth lowest suicide rate nationwide.

35. Illinois
> Poverty rate: 14.4% (25th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.9% (12th highest)
> Obesity rate: 29.3% (23rd lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 32.8% (12th highest)

In most measures of well-being, Illinois residents are slightly gloomier than the average American. State residents feel the most negative about their community, despite having crime at a similar level to the country as a whole. On the other hand, Illinois residents feel the most positively about their physical health. This could be due in part to the state’s relatively strong health system. The state has 139 primary care physicians and 67 dentists for every 100,000 residents, allowing residents more access to medical care than in most parts of the country.

36. Idaho
> Poverty rate: 14.8% (25th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.1% (12th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 28.9% (22nd lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.0% (10th lowest)

The likelihood of committing suicide does not necessarily go up in states with especially unhappy people. In Idaho, however, one of the unhappier states, the suicide rate is one of the highest in the United States. There are nearly 20 suicides for every 100,000 residents in the state annually, considerably more than the national rate of 13 suicides per 100,000.

Financial stability can also help explain the relatively low level of happiness. The typical household in Idaho earns $47,861 annually, nearly $6,000 less than the typical American household. Perhaps as a result, survey respondents in the state reported some of the lowest confidence in their financial well-being.

37. Tennessee
> Poverty rate: 18.3% (7th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.8% (14th highest)
> Obesity rate: 31.2% (14th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.3% (11th lowest)

Tennessee has the third highest violent crime rate of any state at 608 reported incidents per 100,000 people annually. Nonetheless, residents view their community in a positive light. Residents feel differently about their health, however. Survey respondents reported a lower opinion of their physical health than all but eight other states. This may be a product of their particularly unhealthy behavior. Tennessee adults have the second lowest fruit intake in the country, and 24.2% of adults smoke, the fourth highest share nationwide.

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38. Nevada
> Poverty rate: 15.2% (23rd highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.7% (the highest)
> Obesity rate: 27.7% (16th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.1% (6th lowest)

One of the unhappiest states, Nevada lags behind the country in several measures. Only 66.6% of high school students in Nevada graduate within four years, one of the lowest graduation rates in the United States. Additionally, only 23% of adults in Nevada have a bachelor’s degree, one of the smallest shares of any state. For individuals with low levels of education, job opportunities are more difficult to come by, especially in Nevada’s relatively weak job market. Of workers in the state, 6.7% are out of a job, the highest unemployment rate in the country. A bad economy and low educational attainment have likely contributed to a higher than average violent crime rate. With 636 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Nevada’s violent crime rate is the second highest of all states.

39. Michigan
> Poverty rate: 16.2% (18th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.4% (20th highest)
> Obesity rate: 30.7% (17th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.4% (18th lowest)

Exercise is important to both physical and mental well-being, and fewer than three quarters of adults in Michigan partake in physical activity in their free time, a smaller share than the 77.4% of Americans who report regular exercise. With lower exercise rates, adults in the state report more unhealthy mental days per month than most Americans. Poor behaviors and outcomes such as these also harm the health of residents, which in turn contributes to lower levels of well-being. Heart attacks, high blood pressure, and deaths attributable to heart disease are also more common in Michigan than in the majority of states.

40. New York
> Poverty rate: 15.9% (19th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.3% (23rd highest)
> Obesity rate: 27.0% (12th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.5% (9th highest)

New York residents are the least happy of any Northeastern state. Residents have a particularly unfavorable opinion of their community. The cost of goods in New York is the second highest in the country, which may hinder community participation. A high crime rate, driven by crime in New York City, may also undermine feelings of safety in the state.

New York’s 5.3% unemployment rate is in line with the national rate. Also, a typical household in the state earns $58,878 annually, about $5,000 more than what the typical American household makes. Despite signs of economic health, New Yorkers report a significant lack of purpose in their daily lives and feel relatively unmotivated to achieve their goals.

41. Georgia
> Poverty rate: 18.3% (7th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.9% (12th highest)
> Obesity rate: 30.5% (19th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.1% (23rd highest)

Georgia is one of several states in the South that rank among the least happy in the United States. Georgia residents can attribute much of their dissatisfaction to the economy. Nearly 6% of the state’s workforce is out of a job, one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Additionally, 18.3% of state residents live in poverty, a considerably larger share than the 15.5% national poverty rate.

Georgians are also more likely to lead unhealthy lifestyles than most Americans. They are less likely to get enough sleep and to get regular exercise and more likely to have high blood pressure. Partially as a result, premature death is considerably more common in Georgia than it is across the nation.

42. Louisiana
> Poverty rate: 19.8% (3rd highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.3% (6th highest)
> Obesity rate: 34.9% (4th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 22.9% (5th lowest)

Louisiana is just one of many states in the American South that are among the nation’s unhappiest. Residents do not have a strong sense of community, likely the result of several socioeconomic factors. The state’s annual violent crime rate of 515 reported incidents per 100,000 people is the sixth highest in the United States. Likewise, almost one-fifth of the population lives in poverty, the third highest nationwide.

At 36.3 hours and $44,555 a year, Louisianians have the second longest average workweek of any state and the seventh lowest median annual household income. Meanwhile, the state’s unemployment rate of 6.3% is the sixth highest nationwide. Nevertheless, Louisianans report having a relatively strong sense of purpose in their daily lives, including feeling motivated to achieve their goals.

43. Mississippi
> Poverty rate: 21.5% (the highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.5% (4th highest)
> Obesity rate: 35.5% (3rd highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.1% (2nd lowest)

Adults in Mississippi are some of the least likely in the country to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Nearly 32% do not exercise, the largest share of any state. They also eat fewer healthy foods such as vegetables than adults nationwide. Unhealthy habits contribute to poor health outcomes down the road. In Mississippi, infant mortality and premature death each occur more frequently than anywhere else in the country.

Relatively poor health among state residents is only part of the picture. Nearly 22% of Mississippians live in poverty, the highest rate in the country. Additionally, 6.5% of the state’s workforce is unemployed, a considerably higher share than the 5.3% national unemployment rate.

44. Arkansas
> Poverty rate: 18.9% (6th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.2% (24th highest)
> Obesity rate: 35.9% (the highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.4% (3rd lowest)

Arkansas is one of many states in the American South with some of the least happy residents. The biggest factor detracting from residents’ happiness is the dissatisfaction with their relationships. The Arkansas population also have relatively low mental well-being, reporting 4.4 days of poor mental health per month on average — the fifth most of any state.

Arkansas residents have a poor perception of their physical health, likely driven by unhealthy habits. Almost 25% of state adults smoke, the third highest smoking rate of any state. A larger share of adults have heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and high blood pressure than in almost any other state. A growing concern nationwide, the state’s obesity rate of 35.9% is also the highest of any state.

45. Missouri
> Poverty rate: 15.5% (21st highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.0% (24th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 30.2% (20th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.5% (19th lowest)

In Missouri, unhealthy behaviors contribute to relatively poor health outcomes, which in turn partially explain the low level of well-being among residents. For example, more than one in five adults report a smoking habit, one of the higher proportions nationwide. While Missouri’s obesity rate of 30.2% is lower than average — unlike most states in the South and on the lower end of this list — the incidence of heart disease is far more common than across the nation. Each year there are approximately 195 deaths due to heart disease per 100,000 people, the 10th highest such death rate in the United States. Similarly, 5.4% of adults have had a heart attack and 3.7% of adults have had a stroke, each the eighth highest percentages in the nation.

Feeling safe is another often essential driver of wellness, but in Missouri many residents likely do not feel secure in their communities. The state’s violent crime rate of 443 incidents per 100,000 people annually is the 11th highest in the country.

46. Indiana
> Poverty rate: 15.2% (23rd highest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.8% (20th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 32.7% (7th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 24.7% (9th lowest)

A solid education improves employment opportunities and is itself a component of well-being. Indiana residents, who report one of the worst levels of well-being in the Gallup survey, are not especially well educated, nor do they have especially high incomes. Less than one-quarter of adults have at least a college degree, well below the over 30% of adults nationwide with such education. Like a number of other low well-being states, the annual median household income in Indiana of $49,446 is lower than the national median of $53,657.

The relatively poor availability of health professionals may also hinder well-being in the Hoosier State. There are only 107 primary care physicians and 47 dentists per 100,000 people respectively, each well below the national ratios. This may at least partially explain the low level of immunization among children in the state, which at just 66% is also below the national rate of 72%.

47. Ohio
> Poverty rate: 15.8% (20th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.9% (22nd lowest)
> Obesity rate: 32.6% (8th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.6% (15th lowest)

Individuals in low income and poor well-being states are actually among the least likely Americans to report a binge drinking habit. In Ohio, however, 18% of adults drink excessively on a regular basis, higher than the national share of 16%.

Unlike many low well-being states, Ohio has an above-average ratio of primary care physicians relative to the population, at 130 per 100,000 people. Despite the relatively strong access to health services, however, Ohioans still report some of the nation’s worst health outcomes, which are likely major drivers of the low reported well-being in the state. The state ranks in the worst 10 for heart attacks, diabetes diagnoses, cancer deaths, and infant mortality.

48. Oklahoma
> Poverty rate: 16.6% (14th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.2% (15th lowest)
> Obesity rate: 33.0% (6th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 24.2% (8th lowest)

Taking care to stay healthy is often essential for well-being. Due to relatively poor socioeconomic factors and low access to health services, this is far more difficult in Oklahoma than in other states. The state’s jobless rate of 4.2% is relatively low, but the poverty rate of 16.6% is one of the higher rates nationwide. Poor health care can lead to a higher rate of teen pregnancy, which is often associated with preterm delivery and developmental delays and illness of the infant. In Oklahoma, there are 38.5 teen births per 1,000 teenage women each year, the second highest rate after Arkansas. With just 85.2 primary care physicians per 100,000 people in the state, the third lowest ratio, accessing proper health services in Oklahoma is difficult compared to other states. Like in many low well-being states, obesity and heart disease are relatively common in Oklahoma. A third of state adults are obese, the sixth highest obesity rate of all states. Also, there are 228.1 deaths due to heart disease per 100,000 people annually, the second highest rate in the United States.

49. Kentucky
> Poverty rate: 19.1% (5th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.4% (20th highest)
> Obesity rate: 31.6% (12th highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 22.2% (4th lowest)

As is the case with most states reporting the lowest levels of well-being, the cost of living in Kentucky is low. Still, Kentuckians are relatively poor and financial hardship is commonplace for many residents. The typical household earns $42,958 annually, the fifth lowest median income nationwide. The state’s poverty rate of 19.1% is also among the highest in the United States. Along with low incomes, low levels of education contribute to residents’ overall low well-being — as it can put a cap on income levels and hinder healthy living. Of Kentucky adults, 84.5% have at least a high school diploma, and 22.2% have at least a bachelor’s degree, each some of the lowest such rates nationwide. Insufficient sleep, which afflicts 38.9% of adults in Kentucky, is one example of an unhealthy behavior that could stem from financial hardship and lead to poor outcomes down the road. There are 229 cancer deaths per 100,000 people in Kentucky a year, the highest incidence of any state.

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50. West Virginia
> Poverty rate: 18.3% (7th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.7% (the highest)
> Obesity rate: 35.7% (2nd highest)
> Pct. of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 19.2% (the lowest)

West Virginia residents report the poorest well-being of all states on the Gallup survey. Unhealthy behaviors among West Virginians can partially explain the state’s last-place rank. State adults are the least likely Americans to visit the dentist. Also, 35.7% of adults in the state are obese and 26.7% smoke, the second highest and highest such rates of any state. Obesity and tobacco use are two factors that can increase the risk of heart-related ailments. High blood pressure, heart attacks, and diabetes are each more common in West Virginia than in any other state.

West Virginia is home to some of the nation’s worst economic and social indicators as well, which likely exacerbate the unhealthy behaviors and health outcomes. Fewer than one in five adults have at least a bachelor’s degree in West Virginia, the lowest college attainment rate nationwide. At 6.7%, West Virginia’s unemployment rate is also the highest of all states. While the state’s poverty rate of 18.3% is seventh worst, living in the state is relatively affordable and the percentage of the population with access to healthy food is among the highest in the United States.