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    The Happiest States within the US, Ranked | Invesloan.com

    Happiness may come from within, but external factors can still play a role in how happy you feel.

    Even if you’re a glass-half-full kind of person, factors like financial security, access to healthcare, and community can also impact your well-being.

    A recent WalletHub study ranked all 50 states based on metrics that measure residents’ happiness.

    All states were compared across three categories: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment. These dimensions were broken down into 30 metrics, graded on a 100-point scale to create a happiness score.

    The most heavily weighted category was emotional and physical well-being, which included metrics such as career well-being, physical health, the share of adults with depression, and life expectancy.

    Work environment metrics included the number of work hours and the share of households earning annual incomes above $75,000.

    For community and environment, the metrics included ideal weather, average daily leisure time, and safety.

    WalletHub’s analysis used data from sources such as the US Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Gallup.

    Here are the 50 states, ranked from least to most happy.

    50. West Virginia


    Downtown Charleston skyline rises behind trees and a riverfront on a clear sunny day.

    Charleston, West Virginia.

    Leonid Andronov/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 50

    Work environment rank: 50

    Community and environment rank: 40

    49. Louisiana


    Barges pass the Baton Rouge skyline across the Mississippi River beneath a pastel evening sky.

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

    Sabrina Gordon/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 49

    Work environment rank: 49

    Community and environment rank: 38

    48. Arkansas


    Buildings in Little Rock, Arkansas.

    Little Rock, Arkansas.

    ChrisBoswell/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 47

    Work environment rank: 47

    Community and environment rank: 30

    47. Alaska


    Colorful storefronts line a quiet street below a forested mountain with patchy snow under cloudy skies.

    Juneau, Alaska.

    Lana2011/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 38

    Work environment rank: 44

    Community and environment rank: 50

    46. Kentucky


    Downtown Frankfort and the Kentucky River sit among autumn trees under an orange sunset sky.

    Frankfort, Kentucky.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 48

    Work environment rank: 41

    Community and environment rank: 25

    45. Alabama


    Aerial view of downtown Montgomery beside the Alabama River, with skyline, rail tracks, riverfront park, and baseball stadium.

    Montgomery, Alabama.

    stockphoto52/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 45

    Work environment rank: 35

    Community and environment rank: 36

    44. New Mexico


    Aerial view of downtown Santa Fe with the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and surrounding mountains.

    Santa Fe, New Mexico.

    alexeys/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 36

    Work environment rank: 48

    Community and environment rank: 37

    43. Wyoming


    Downtown street intersection with traffic lights, parked cars, storefronts, and a large “WYOMING HOME” mural.

    Cheyenne, Wyoming.

    Ceri Breeze/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 40

    Work environment rank: 42

    Community and environment rank: 35

    42. Oregon


    Downtown Salem skyline with a church steeple, trees, and the Oregon State Capitol dome under a clear blue sky.

    Salem, Oregon.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 44

    Work environment rank: 38

    Community and environment rank: 29

    41. Tennessee


    Downtown Nashville skyline glows at dusk behind an arched bridge over the Cumberland River.

    Nashville, Tennessee.

    Bilanol/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 41

    Work environment rank: 14

    Community and environment rank: 44

    40. Oklahoma


    Bricktown Canal in Oklahoma City winds between red brick buildings and water taxis at sunset.

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

    RudyBalasko/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 46

    Work environment rank: 43

    Community and environment rank: 4

    39. Ohio


    Downtown Columbus skyline and arched bridge reflect in the Scioto River under a streaked evening sky.

    Columbus, Ohio.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 39

    Work environment rank: 32

    Community and environment rank: 26

    38. Michigan


    Downtown Lansing skyline at dusk with Boji Tower and the illuminated Michigan State Capitol dome.

    Lansing, Michigan.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 32

    Work environment rank: 45

    Community and environment rank: 28

    37. Mississippi


    Mississippi State Capitol with a gold dome stands among trees and downtown Jackson high-rises under a cloudy sky.

    Jackson, Mississippi.

    CRobertson/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 35

    Work environment rank: 46

    Community and environment rank: 12

    36. Colorado


    Downtown Denver skyline stands before snow-covered Rocky Mountains under a clear blue sky.

    Denver, Colorado.

    KathyKafka/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 28

    Work environment rank: 23

    Community and environment rank: 49

    35. Texas


    Downtown Austin skyline rises beyond trees and Barton Springs Pool at dusk.

    Austin, Texas.

    BackyardProduction/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 24

    Work environment rank: 30

    Community and environment rank: 46

    34. Maine


    Waterfront brick buildings and a church spire reflect in a calm river beneath a cloudy dusk sky.

    Augusta, Maine.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 42

    Work environment rank: 10

    Community and environment rank: 20

    33. Indiana


    Downtown Indianapolis skyline surrounds the Indiana World War Memorial beneath a partly cloudy sky.

    Indianapolis, Indiana.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 34

    Work environment rank: 19

    Community and environment rank: 21

    32. Nevada


    Aerial view of the Nevada State Capitol amid trees with dry mountains beyond.

    Carson City, Nevada.

    Wirestock/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 37

    Work environment rank: 39

    Community and environment rank: 5

    31. Missouri


    State capitol building in Jefferson City, Missouri.

    Jefferson City, Missouri.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 33

    Work environment rank: 15

    Community and environment rank: 24

    30. Montana


    Aerial view of downtown Helena with the Cathedral of Saint Helena, surrounding buildings, trees, and mountains.

    Helena, Montana.

    stockphoto52/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 43

    Work environment rank: 7

    Community and environment rank: 10

    29. Rhode Island


    Downtown Providence skyline rises above riverwalk stairs, bridges, trees, and waterfront on a clear sunny day.

    Providence, Rhode Island.

    Sanghwan Kim/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 23

    Work environment rank: 26

    Community and environment rank: 45

    28. Delaware


    Delaware Legislative Hall’s red brick facade and white cupola stand above broad front steps under a partly cloudy sky.

    Dover, Delaware.

    Amy Sparwasser/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 14

    Work environment rank: 28

    Community and environment rank: 47

    27. Wisconsin


    Aerial view of downtown Madison with the Wisconsin State Capitol between lakes in warm evening light.

    Madison, Wisconsin.

    marchello74/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 30

    Work environment rank: 18

    Community and environment rank: 34

    26. Illinois


    Springfield, Illinois, USA, downtown city skyline at dusk.

    Springfield, Illinois.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 13

    Work environment rank: 40

    Community and environment rank: 42

    25. Pennsylvania


    Downtown Harrisburg skyline with Pennsylvania State Capitol dome and riverfront buildings under a blue sky.

    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

    TW Farlow/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 20

    Work environment rank: 37

    Community and environment rank: 27

    24. South Dakota


    Aerial view of the South Dakota State Capitol with a domed roof, surrounding lawns, trees, and nearby water.

    Pierre, South Dakota.

    Nathan McDaniel/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 29

    Work environment rank: 2

    Community and environment rank: 41

    23. Kansas


    Downtown Topeka skyline with the Kansas State Capitol dome, church towers, tree-lined streets, and parked cars.

    Topeka, Kansas.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 26

    Work environment rank: 12

    Community and environment rank: 31

    22. Vermont


    Aerial view of a downtown street lined with brick buildings, a clock tower, cars, and autumn hills.

    Montpelier, Vermont.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 31

    Work environment rank: 9

    Community and environment rank: 7

    21. Florida


    Florida State Capitol complex in Tallahassee with the historic domed capitol, tower, streets, and blue sky.

    Tallahassee, Florida.

    Dennis MacDonald/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 9

    Work environment rank: 29

    Community and environment rank: 48

    20. Iowa


    Downtown Des Moines skyline rises behind a bridge over the river on a clear sunny day.

    Des Moines, Iowa.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 27

    Work environment rank: 16

    Community and environment rank: 16

    19. Washington


    Snow-covered Mount Rainier rises behind evergreen trees and urban apartment buildings at dusk.

    Olympia, Washington.

    John Callery/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 18

    Work environment rank: 25

    Community and environment rank: 33

    18. Georgia


    Downtown Atlanta skyline rises above highways and trees under a bright blue sky with large cumulus clouds.

    Atlanta, Georgia.

    Sean Davis/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 21

    Work environment rank: 22

    Community and environment rank: 22

    17. Arizona


    Desert hillside with saguaro cacti overlooks a downtown skyline and distant mountains under a blue sky.

    Phoenix, Arizona.

    eric1513/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 16

    Work environment rank: 33

    Community and environment rank: 13

    16. Virginia


    Downtown Richmond skyline rises above green parkland and brick buildings under a colorful sunset sky.

    Richmond, Virginia.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 10

    Work environment rank: 31

    Community and environment rank: 32

    15. South Carolina


    Aerial view of the South Carolina State House surrounded by trees and downtown Columbia buildings.

    Columbia, South Carolina.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 25

    Work environment rank: 13

    Community and environment rank: 3

    14. North Carolina


    Downtown Raleigh skyline rises behind an outdoor amphitheater and convention center under a blue sky.

    Raleigh, North Carolina.

    zimmytws/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 15

    Work environment rank: 21

    Community and environment rank: 15

    13. Massachusetts


    Aerial view of Boston with skyscrapers visible in the background and orange-brick houses in the foreground.

    Boston, Massachusetts.

    Vadym Terelyuk/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 7

    Work environment rank: 17

    Community and environment rank: 43

    12. North Dakota


    North Dakota State Capitol tower rises above green lawns and trees under a clear blue sky.

    Bismarck, North Dakota.

    Jonathan W. Cohen/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 22

    Work environment rank: 4

    Community and environment rank: 6

    11. New York


    Downtown Albany street view frames SUNY Plaza’s green-roofed tower between brick buildings and bare trees.

    Albany, New York.

    SerrNovik/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 3

    Work environment rank: 34

    Community and environment rank: 39

    10. New Hampshire


    Brick storefronts line a downtown street with cars, American flags, benches, and dramatic cloudy sky.

    Concord, New Hampshire.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 12

    Work environment rank: 8

    Community and environment rank: 14

    9. California


    Aerial view of Sacramento’s Tower Bridge spanning the Sacramento River near waterfront buildings at sunset.

    Sacramento, California.

    MattGush/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 4

    Work environment rank: 36

    Community and environment rank: 19

    8. Minnesota


    Downtown Saint Paul skyline glows at dusk beside the Mississippi River under a cloudy blue sky.

    Saint Paul, Minnesota.

    RudyBalasko/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 8

    Work environment rank: 11

    Community and environment rank: 17

    7. Connecticut


    Aerial view of downtown Hartford skyscrapers beside the Connecticut River and multiple bridges.

    Hartford, Connecticut.

    Vadym Terelyuk/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 5

    Work environment rank: 27

    Community and environment rank: 9

    6. Nebraska


    Aerial view of the Nebraska State Capitol surrounded by downtown Lincoln streets, buildings, lawns, and autumn trees.

    Lincoln, Nebraska.

    Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 11

    Work environment rank: 6

    Community and environment rank: 8

    5. Maryland


    A sailboat moored at Annapolis harbor with downtown streets and the Maryland State House at sunset.

    Annapolis, Maryland.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 6

    Work environment rank: 20

    Community and environment rank: 11

    4. Idaho


    Downtown Boise skyline and Idaho State Capitol seen over an autumn tree-lined boulevard with foothills beyond.

    Boise, Idaho.

    christiannafzger/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 19

    Work environment rank: 3

    Community and environment rank: 2

    3. Utah


    Downtown Salt Lake City skyline spreads toward the Wasatch Mountains under a partly cloudy blue sky.

    Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Vadym Terelyuk/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 17

    Work environment rank: 1

    Community and environment rank: 1

    2. New Jersey


    State capitol building in Trenton, New Jersey.

    Trenton, New Jersey.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 1

    Work environment rank: 24

    Community and environment rank: 23

    1. Hawaii


    Palm trees frame a waterfront lagoon, marina, and high-rise skyline under colorful sunset clouds in Honolulu.

    Honolulu, Hawaii.

    Iryna Olkhova/Getty Images

    Emotional and physical well-being rank: 2

    Work environment rank: 5

    Community and environment rank: 18

    With residents reporting the second-lowest rate of depression and high levels of life satisfaction, Hawaii was ranked the happiest state.

    This is owing to factors such as good physical health — about 84% of adults report being in good or better health — and low unemployment rates.

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