The happiest states in the US in 2025 tell a clear story about life across the country. The scores come from data on health, jobs, safety, income, and community.
Each state is ranked from 50 to 1, so you can see where people face the hardest challenges and where life feels steady.
Happiness is tied to everyday reality. A paycheck that covers rent, safe streets, decent health care, and neighbors you can count on. Some states deliver that mix better than others. This report shows the differences in plain numbers.
Here is the full ranking of the happiest states in the US for 2025, starting at number 50 and moving up to number 1.
Here is the Ranking According to the Latest Data
| Rank | State | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | West Virginia | 32.04 |
| 49 | Louisiana | 34.26 |
| 48 | Arkansas | 37.03 |
| 47 | Alabama | 40.69 |
| 46 | Alaska | 40.69 |
| 45 | Tennessee | 41.22 |
| 44 | New Mexico | 43.08 |
| 43 | Kentucky | 43.25 |
| 42 | Mississippi | 43.90 |
| 41 | Colorado | 44.49 |
| 40 | Nevada | 44.82 |
| 39 | Oregon | 44.93 |
| 38 | Ohio | 45.67 |
| 37 | Texas | 46.41 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | 47.05 |
| 35 | Michigan | 47.06 |
| 34 | Indiana | 47.36 |
| 33 | Maine | 47.64 |
| 32 | Montana | 47.83 |
| 31 | Missouri | 48.31 |
| 30 | Wyoming | 49.47 |
| 29 | Vermont | 49.93 |
| 28 | North Carolina | 50.97 |
| 27 | Kansas | 51.29 |
| 26 | Rhode Island | 51.68 |
| 25 | South Carolina | 52.82 |
| 24 | Washington | 52.88 |
| 23 | Arizona | 52.89 |
| 22 | Illinois | 53.38 |
| 21 | North Dakota | 53.43 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 53.62 |
| 19 | Georgia | 53.88 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 54.73 |
| 17 | Iowa | 55.42 |
| 16 | New York | 55.42 |
| 15 | Virginia | 55.45 |
| 14 | Florida | 55.86 |
| 13 | South Dakota | 55.93 |
| 12 | Delaware | 56.07 |
| 11 | Minnesota | 58.21 |
| 10 | Idaho | 58.31 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 59.19 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 59.56 |
| 7 | California | 60.09 |
| 6 | Utah | 61.12 |
| 5 | Connecticut | 62.53 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 63.42 |
| 3 | Nebraska | 63.61 |
| 2 | Maryland | 64.13 |
| 1 | Hawaii | 65.50 |
Source: World Population Review
How the Happiest States in the US Are Ranked?
The happiest states in the US are ranked each year using a set of data points that cover health, work, and community life.
The 2025 ranking is based on more than 30 measurable factors. Each factor was scored on a scale of 0 to 100, and then combined into an overall score for every state.
The higher the score, the higher the state appears on the list.
Factors that Shape Happiness: Health, Work, and Community
Health plays a central role. Numbers on depression rates, physical activity, access to care, sleep, and life expectancy are included. States with lower depression rates and higher access to health resources tend to rise.
Work is another key factor. Job security, income growth, working hours, and unemployment levels all affect the final score. A state where people work fewer hours but feel secure in their jobs gains a stronger position.
Community gives the ranking its final layer. Volunteer rates, safety, divorce rates, and social support networks are part of the equation. States where people report stronger community ties score higher.
The 10 Happiest States in the US in 2025
When we talk about the happiest states in the US, the top of the list often tells us as much about daily life as the bottom does. These aren’t abstract numbers. They are snapshots of how secure people feel in their homes, how safe they are in their communities, and how much opportunity exists to live a balanced life.
Hawaii once again leads the pack. Sunshine and scenery aren’t the whole story, though they help. The islands also have the longest life expectancy in America and some of the lowest depression numbers.
Maryland comes in second, showing that strong incomes and steady employment can tip the scales toward better days. Nebraska rounds out the top three, driven by low unemployment, safer neighborhoods, and high family stability.
Other states in the top ten include New Jersey, Connecticut, Utah, California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Idaho. Each brings a different piece of the happiness puzzle. New Jersey shines in mental health numbers. Utah shows the impact of shorter work hours and strong volunteerism.
California benefits from climate and opportunities, even if its cost of living creates stress for many. Idaho quietly scores high on community ties and sleep quality, often overlooked but critical to well-being.
Here’s the table for a clear view:
| 1 | Hawaii | Low depression, longest life expectancy, strong community ties |
| 2 | Maryland | High household incomes, low unemployment, and strong family support |
| 3 | Nebraska | Safe neighborhoods, economic stability, and low depression |
| 4 | New Jersey | Lowest depression and suicide rates, strong family networks |
| 5 | Connecticut | Safe communities, steady work environment, strong health scores |
| 6 | Utah | Fewest work hours, highest volunteer rates, and lowest divorce rates |
| 7 | California | Mild climate, low depression, and many cities ranked high for happiness |
| 8 | New Hampshire | High safety, good income growth, and strong community satisfaction |
| 9 | Massachusetts | Strong healthcare access, high civic engagement, safe environment |
| 10 | Idaho | Strong work environment, good sleep rates, active volunteer culture |
What the Happiest States Have in Common
When you look past the individual quirks of each state, patterns appear. The happiest states usually keep people healthier, safer, and more connected.
- Health matters most. Depression rates are lower. Life expectancy is longer. More people report being in good or very good health. Preventive care and access to healthcare services are better.
- Work is steadier. Unemployment is lower. People work fewer hours yet still report financial security. Long-term unemployment, the kind that erodes confidence and stability, is much rarer.
- Communities are stronger. Volunteer rates are higher. Divorce rates are lower. Safety scores trend above average. People are more likely to say they know and trust their neighbors.
- Lifestyle plays its part. Places with easier access to outdoor activity – hiking in Utah, beaches in Hawaii, clean air in New Hampshire – all feed into stronger well-being scores.
Taken together, the picture is simple but powerful: the happiest states in the US are the ones that protect health, provide stable work, and build communities where people feel they belong.
States with the Lowest Happiness Scores in 2025
The bottom ten states in the 2025 happiness ranking show where daily life feels heavier and more uncertain. Each of these states carries a mix of health struggles, weaker economies, and limited support systems.
Families in these places report higher stress and lower overall satisfaction with life. The scores are not abstract. They highlight real issues that affect paychecks, safety, and health every single day.
Colorado stands at rank 41. The state faces higher living costs, widening gaps in income, and rising stress among residents. Mississippi follows close behind with deep poverty and fragile public health. Kentucky and New Mexico appear next, both affected by long-term economic strain and limited access to consistent healthcare.
Tennessee and Alaska land in the middle of this group. Tennessee struggles with unstable families and lower health coverage. Alaska faces isolation, long work hours, and limited access to hospitals.
Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana share many of the same concerns, with weak job growth, higher depression rates, and fragile community structures.
At the very end of the list, West Virginia records the lowest score in the country. Residents there face the highest adult depression levels, limited job opportunities, and some of the weakest health support systems nationwide.
| 41 | Colorado | High living costs, income inequality, and stress indicators are climbing |
| 42 | Mississippi | Deep poverty, poor health outcomes, and weak public infrastructure |
| 43 | Kentucky | Chronic poverty, limited healthcare access, and community stress |
| 44 | New Mexico | High unemployment, weak income growth, and gaps in mental health care |
| 45 | Tennessee | High divorce rates, limited health coverage, and financial strain |
| 46 | Alaska | Long work hours, rural isolation, and restricted access to medical care |
| 47 | Alabama | High depression rates, slow job growth, and safety concerns |
| 48 | Arkansas | Low household income, poor health outcomes, and family instability |
| 49 | Louisiana | High poverty levels, weak healthcare, and fragile community support |
| 50 | West Virginia | Highest depression, lowest income growth, weakest health resources |
What the Lowest-Scoring States Have in Common
- Health gaps remain wide. Life expectancy is shorter. Chronic disease and depression affect more adults. Preventive care is harder to reach.
- Work and income stay unstable. Household incomes are lower. Job opportunities are thinner. Long-term unemployment creates heavy pressure.
- Community support is weaker. Divorce rates are higher. Volunteer activity is lower. Safety concerns appear more often.
- Geography shapes outcomes. Remote rural regions in Alaska and West Virginia create barriers to both health services and jobs. Southern states show long-standing poverty that limits progress in health, education, and stability.
States That Moved Up or Down Since 2024
Some states climbed because jobs became steadier and communities felt stronger.
Others dropped because wages failed to keep up, or health outcomes stayed poor.
The moves show how fast daily life can tilt when those pressures change.
States That Rose
1. Nebraska
Nebraska reached the top three after unemployment dropped below three percent. Families reported more confidence in paying bills on time.
Divorce and separation rates eased, and households experienced more stability than the year before.
2. Idaho
Idaho entered the top ten with higher volunteer rates and better sleep numbers. Surveys showed fewer residents dealing with poor health.
Both rural towns and city suburbs gained steadier work options, which pushed Idaho higher in 2025.
3. Maryland
Maryland rose into second place. More households earned incomes above seventy-five thousand dollars. Suicide rates were among the lowest in the nation. Access to health care and community support kept scores high.
4. Delaware
Delaware moved into the top fifteen. Violent crime declined. Civic projects drew more turnout, and surveys showed stronger trust in local neighborhoods.
States That Fell
1. Colorado
Colorado slipped after housing costs grew faster than paychecks. Families reported heavier stress, and longer work hours became common.
2. New Mexico
New Mexico fell as unemployment stayed above national averages. Wage growth lagged behind inflation, and rural areas still lacked mental health care.
3. Tennessee
Tennessee lost rank after separation and divorce rates climbed. Health coverage remained inconsistent, which left many without steady care.
4. West Virginia
West Virginia stayed at the bottom. Depression rates were the highest of any state, and average life span remained the lowest. Income growth showed no real progress.
Bottom Line
Happiness is not spread evenly across the country. States that rank higher tend to have longer life spans, fewer cases of depression, safer neighborhoods, and steadier jobs. States at the bottom face the opposite: more depression, weaker income growth, and fewer opportunities.
In many of those places, people struggle to reach a doctor or clinic when they need one. That can change if local leaders take action. More clinics, more doctors, and better mental health support in schools and community centers would make a direct difference. Stronger job programs with steady pay would also help families feel secure.
The numbers show exactly where help is needed most. People everywhere deserve steady work, safe streets, and health care that is easy to reach.