With high levels of volunteerism, strong marriages, good work-life balance and many supportive relationships among Utahns, the Beehive State was ranked the third happiest in the U.S. in a recent report from WalletHub.
WalletHub’s report followed a Gallup poll that reported 44% of Americans are “very satisfied” with how their life is going. In order to determine which states create the best conditions for life satisfaction or happiness, WalletHub compared all 50 U.S. states across 30 indicators of happiness.
The metrics used in the report include the depression rate in each state, the share of adults feeling productive, income growth and unemployment rate.
Hawaii topped the list as the happiest state in America, followed by New Jersey, Utah, Idaho and Maryland.
According to WalletHub, Hawaii is “living up to its reputation as an island paradise”: Its residents report the highest levels of life satisfaction in the country and the state has the second-lowest depression rate.
New Jersey has the lowest share of depression in the nation and the fewest number of suicides of the nation.
In third place, Utah has the highest volunteer rate and the lowest separation and divorce rate in the U.S.
How do you define happiness?
“Happiness comes from a combination of internal and external factors. We can influence it somewhat by approaching situations positively or choosing to spend time with people we love, doing activities we enjoy,” according to the WalleHub report.
There are some factors that are out of an individual’s control, such as the cost of living and economic uncertainty, which contribute to happiness and life satisfaction.
The report looked at 30 metrics across three key dimensions: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing maximum happiness.
Utah takes third with strong community
According to WalletHub’s rankings, Utah has the second-highest share of people who enjoy supportive relationships and have love in their lives. Utah’s high volunteer rate and low divorce and separation rates tie in with this strong sense of community that Utahns enjoy with their supportive relationships. Utah’s divorce and separation rate in marriages is around 15%.
The state also ranks eighth in adults reporting good or better health.
On the economic side of things, Utah has the 12th-lowest unemployment rate of 3.4%. It also has the highest economic security in the country, which WalletHub defines as measuring whether community members are insured, employed or otherwise financially stable.
These conditions all combine to create a good environment for good mental health.
The state also boasts a strong work-life balance, with Utahns working fewer hours per week than people in any other state.
According to WalletHub, Utah also has the second-best weather in the country, which allows people to enjoy their time outside when they’re not working.
What makes Hawaii and New Jersey the happiest states
Hawaii is ranked the happiest state in the county, and part of that is because Hawaiians have the longest life expectancy in the U.S. About 84% of adults in the state report that they are in good or better health, and almost 72% of adults in the state report that they are active and productive on a daily basis.
The state also has strong economic conditions to contribute to happiness and life satisfaction. The state has a 2.5% unemployment rate and the third-highest share of households with an annual income over $75,000 in the country.
Because of this, the state has the second-lowest rate of adults with financial anxiety.
Coming in as the second-happiest state, New Jersey has the fifth-highest life satisfaction rate and the lowest share of people reporting traumatic childhood events. The state also has the lowest depression rate and the highest share of people reporting they have supportive relationships.
New Jersey has the second-lowest separation and divorce rate in the U.S. behind Utah.