The Midwest State That's Been Named the Happiest in the U.S.

Getty Images/Science Source

According to a study released this week, the happiest state in America is Minnesota.

The study, by WalletHub, examined all 50 states across 28 different categories to determine where people are most likely to report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction.

Although Minnesota did not place highest for any single category, it was consistently among the top. There were three primary areas of analysis, including well-being (both emotional and physical), work environment, and community and environment. The top states ranked highly in lowest rates of adult depression, fewest work hours, and safety.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, West Virginia was named the least happy state in the country. The next least-happiest states were Oklahoma and Louisiana.

However, the concept of “happiest state” is subjective — and always in contention. Earlier this year, a poll from Gallup-Healthways named Hawaii the happiest state in the U.S., with Alaska as the runner up. Unfortunately, the results were the same for West Virginia.

But despite the ever-changing results, those pining for a happier lifestyle can scroll through this year’s 20 happiest states and plan a move — or at least an extended vacations — to where the grass is always greener. To see where every state ranked, check out the full study.

Start Slideshow

1 of 21

20. Illinois

Happiest States in the United States America Illinois

Getty Images/iStockphoto

59.41

2 of 21

19. Massachusetts

Happiest States in the United States America Massachusetts

Getty Images

59.42

3 of 21

18. Connecticut

Happiest States in the United States America Connecticut

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

60.06

4 of 21

17. Idaho

Happiest States in the United States America Idaho

Getty Images/iStockphoto

60.14

5 of 21

16. Washington

Happiest States in the United States America Washington

Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images

60.35

6 of 21

15. Colorado

Happiest States in the United States America Colorado

Getty Images

60.84

7 of 21

14. North Dakota

Happiest States in the United States America North Dakota

Getty Images/Science Source

61.08

8 of 21

13. Vermont

Happiest States in the United States America Vermont

Getty Images/AWL Images RM

61.34

9 of 21

12. Virginia

Happiest States in the United States America Virginia

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

62.43

10 of 21

11. Maryland

Happiest States in the United States America Maryland

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

63.18

11 of 21

10. New Hampshire

Happiest States in the United States America New Hampshire

Getty Images

63.47

12 of 21

9. Wisconsin

Happiest States in the United States America Wisconsin

Getty Images/Gallo Images

64.16

13 of 21

8. Iowa

Happiest States in the United States America Iowa

Getty Images

64.52

14 of 21

7. South Dakota

Happiest States in the United States America South Dakota

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

64.71

15 of 21

6. New Jersey

Happiest States in the United States America New Jersey

Getty Images

64.97

16 of 21

5. Nebraska

Happiest States in the United States America Nebraska

Getty Images

65.65

17 of 21

4. California

Happiest States in the United States America California

Getty Images

66.55

18 of 21

3. Hawaii

Happiest States in the United States America Hawaii

Getty Images/Perspectives

67.90

19 of 21

2. Utah

Happiest States in the United States America Utah

Getty Images

68.16

20 of 21

1. Minnesota

Happiest States in the United States America Minnesota

Getty Images/EyeEm

70.81

Replay gallery

Your Profile

The Midwest State That's Been Named the Happiest in the U.S.

1 of 21

20. Illinois

2 of 21

19. Massachusetts

3 of 21

18. Connecticut

4 of 21

17. Idaho

5 of 21

16. Washington

6 of 21

15. Colorado

7 of 21

14. North Dakota

8 of 21

13. Vermont

9 of 21

12. Virginia

10 of 21

11. Maryland

11 of 21

10. New Hampshire

12 of 21

9. Wisconsin

13 of 21

8. Iowa

14 of 21

7. South Dakota

15 of 21

6. New Jersey

16 of 21

5. Nebraska

17 of 21

4. California

18 of 21

3. Hawaii

19 of 21

2. Utah

20 of 21

1. Minnesota

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery