These are the happiest states in 2025, new data shows

Happiness, in part, can be tied to where you live when it comes to certain environmental factors like a flourishing economy, social activities to boost an individual's emotional and physical well-being. 

And while there are other aspects that contribute to living a fulfilling life, WalletHub released a new survey ranking the happiest states in the U.S.

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To determine their rankings, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 30 categories ranging from the depression rate and the number of people feeling productive to income growth and the state’s unemployment rate. 

The personal finance website also centered their survey on three key areas: Emotional & Physical Well-Being, work environment and community and environment. Researchers assessed that classification using 30 metrics, which were graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the happiest state.

Top 10 happiest states in the U.S.

1. Hawaii
2. Maryland
3. Nebraska
4. New Jersey
5. Connecticut
6. Utah
7. California
8. New Hampshire
9. Massachusetts
10. Idaho

A breakdown of the happiest states 

Dig deeper:

Hawaii, Maryland, and Nebraska topped the list as the nation’s happiest states and WalletHub offered insight into how they made their selections.

Hawaii

Hawaii ranked as the number one happiest state, with residents reporting the highest levels of life satisfaction in the U.S. and the second-lowest depression rate.

WalletHub noted that 85% of people in the state report being in good or better health, the 10th-best percentage in the U.S. Residents also have the longest life expectancy in the nation, and nearly 72% of residents report being active and productive daily. Moreover, Hawaii has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S., at 2.4%, and the second-highest number of households with an annual income over $75,000.

Maryland

Maryland is the second-happiest state in the U.S., with the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S., at 3.2%, along with the highest percentage of households earning more than $75,000 per year. 

Residents in the area also report enjoying what they do and being motivated to achieve their goals at the third-highest rate in the U.S. 

WalletHub reported that Maryland also has the third-lowest number of individuals who report having traumatic events during their childhood, and the third-highest number of people who report having supportive relationships and love in their lives.

The state also has the fifth-lowest suicide rate in the U.S., which shows that Maryland residents are having their mental health concerns addressed before they become overwhelming.

Nebraska

Nebraska has the fourth-lowest unemployment rate, at 2.9%, and the second-highest economic security in the U.S., which measures whether people are employed, insured, and financially stable. 

According to the poll, Nebraska has the sixth-lowest depression rate and the ninth-highest number of residents reporting good or better health. All these factors come together to create conditions for good mental health. The state also has the sixth-lowest separation and divorce rate in the nation, at 18%. And it has a quality work-life balance.