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Do you live in one of the happiest states in the U.S.? Do you consider yourself happy? This seemingly straightforward question encompasses a multitude of factors, including the love in your life, the satisfaction derived from work and hobbies, and the stability of your economic situation.

However, WalletHub suggests that the literal state in which you live, assuming you’re an American, may play a role in determining your overall happiness.

WalletHub explores this hypothesis by considering three key dimensions: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community & environment.

The emotional and physical well-being dimension takes into account factors such as career well-being, the physical health index, and the prevalence of adult depression.

The work environment dimension addresses aspects like commute time, financial anxiety, and the unemployment rate.

Lastly, the community & environment dimension examines factors such as ideal weather, average leisure time, and safety, among others.

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The Happiest States in the U.S

When considering the best places to live, factors such as property values, cost of living, taxes, and quality of life often take centre stage.

However, some places go beyond the practical aspects, standing out for the higher levels of life satisfaction, well-being, and overall happiness experienced by their populations.

NiceRx, a company assisting patients in accessing affordable prescription medications, conducted a study to identify and rank the happiest states in the US.

Hawaii emerges as the most exceptional state in terms of happiness, with a happiness score of 9.08 out of 10.

NiceRx calculated this score by evaluating various happiness factors in all 50 states, including the prevalence of mental illness, crime rates, poverty levels, average life expectancy, and more.

Hawaii’s top-ranking happiness score is attributed to its picturesque terrain, tropical climate, and, notably, the lowest rates of serious mental health conditions (3.18 percent) and the longest life expectancy (80.7 years) in the country.

Surprisingly, Connecticut secures the second spot on the happiness ladder with a score of 8.5 out of 10.

Despite being a complete contrast to Hawaii in terms of climate and culture, Connecticut’s high mean household income and excellent safety scores contribute to its happiness ranking.

Massachusetts claims the third position with a happiness score of 8.34 out of 10. This New England state boasts the highest mean household income ($115,964), low poverty rates (9.85 percent), a long life expectancy (79 years), and a solid safety score.

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The Top 10 Happiest States:

1. Hawaii

2. Connecticut

3. Massachusetts

4. New Jersey

5. Minnesota

6. New Hampshire

7. Washington

8. Utah

9. California

10. Maryland

On the flip side, the study also reveals the states with the lowest happiness scores:

1. Arkansas

2. Louisiana

3. Mississippi

4. West Virginia

5. Tennessee

6. Alabama

7. Kentucky

8. Oklahoma

9. New Mexico

10. South Carolina

It’s important to note that these scores don’t imply universal emotions for every resident in a given state.

However, the study sheds light on the states in the U.S. that hold the most potential for contentment based on significant factors influencing overall well-being and fulfilment.