Happiness might only be a few ZIP codes away, especially if you live in California.
A new report from WalletHub says it has determined the “happiest” cities in the country, based on factors including job security, depression rates and the frequency of divorce, among dozens of other criteria thought to affect the overall satisfaction of a U.S. resident.
The results also come at a curious time, when more Americans may still be struggling with excess stress, according an October 2021 study by the American Psychological Association cited by WalletHub.
“Pandemic stress is contributing to widespread mental exhaustion, negative health impacts and unhealthy behavior changes — a pattern that will become increasingly challenging to correct the longer it persists,” said APA’s CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., Ph.D., at the time the study was published.
That said, the location of your home might not matter much in the way of happiness. As noted by consultants working with WalletHub itself, some folks may never be happy in one of America’s “happiest” cities, no matter how high it ranks: For instance, a nature-lover will never be as fulfilled in a bigger city, and vice versa.
Overall, however, WalletHub’s study suggests that certain cities may offer a better chance to beat the blues.
California, the nation’s most-populous state, dominated the list with 15 states, including four of the top five. Three Bay Cities were in the first four, including Fremont, which topped the list.
Three Southern California cities ranked in the top 10, with Irvine coming in the highest at No. 5. Another Orange County city, Huntington Beach, was listed at No. 9.
In Los Angeles County, the “happiest” city, according to the study, is Santa Clarita.
And the city of Anaheim — home to Disneyland, the “Happiest Place on Earth” — also made the list, ranking at No. 20.
The 25 “happiest” cities, according to WalletHub’s report, are as follows.
| 1 | Fremont, California |
| 2 | Columbia, Maryland |
| 3 | San Francisco, California |
| 4 | San Jose, California |
| 5 | Irvine, California |
| 6 | Madison, Wisconsin |
| 7 | Seattle, Washington |
| 8 | Overland Park, Kansas |
| 9 | Huntington Beach, California |
| 10 | San Diego, California |
| 11 | Fargo, North Dakota |
| 12 | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| 13 | Bismarck, North Dakota |
| 14 | Santa Rosa, California |
| 15 | Santa Clarita, California |
| 16 | Oakland, California |
| 17 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota |
| 18 | Glendale, California |
| 19 | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| 20 | Anaheim, California |
| 21 | Aurora, Illinois |
| 22 | Plano, Texas |
| 23 | Oxnard, California |
| 24 | Garden Grove, California |
| 25 | Chula Vista, California |
A full ranking of all 182 cities included in the study is available at WalletHub’s website.
WalletHub’s report utilized data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the FBI and the CDC, among others, to determine each city’s ranking. Scores were based on factors divided into three categories — Emotional & Physical Well-Being; Community & Environment; and Income & Employment — covering a total of 30 “key indicators of happiness.”
More information on WalletHub’s 2022 Happiest Cities in America Report, including the site’s complete methodology, can be found at WalletHub.