With a recent Gallup poll showing only 47% of Americans are "very satisfied" with the way their life is going, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Happiest States in America in 2024, as well as expert commentary, to identify the places that create the best conditions for life satisfaction.

WalletHub compared the 50 states across 30 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate.
 

Happiest States in America
1. Hawaii		11. South Carolina
2. Maryland		12. South Dakota
3. New Jersey		13. California
4. Utah		14. Florida
5. Delaware		14. New Hampshire
6. Minnesota		16. Virginia
7. Connecticut		17. Illinois
8. Idaho		18. Kansas
9. Nebraska		19. Iowa
10. Massachusetts		20. Georgia

 
Best vs. Worst

• Hawaii has the lowest share of adult depression, which is 2.3 times lower than in Tennessee, the state with the highest.
   
• New Jersey has the fewest suicides (per 100,000 residents), which is 3.7 times fewer than in Montana, the state with the most. 
   
• Utah has the highest volunteer rate, which is 2.6 times higher than in Florida, the state where the rate is the lowest.
   
• Utah has the lowest separation and divorce rate, which is 1.7 times lower than in New Mexico, the state where the rate is the highest.  
   

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