The top 10 happiest cities in America have been unveiled and the Golden State is home to 50 per cent of them.
Fremont, California has been deemed the happiest city in America based on its financial stability, high life satisfaction, and healthy living conditions, a WalletHub study has revealed.
The personal finance company measures happiness based on 29 metrics including depression rates, average daily leisure time, income-growth rates and more.
Analysts say an ‘ideal city’ provides residents with living conditions that ‘foster good mental and physical health’, such as reasonable work hours, short commutes, good weather, caring neighbors and the ability to form strong social connections.
The study also found that cities where a substantial percentage of residents earn annual salaries of at least $75,000 are likely to have greater happiness.
However, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo warns that ‘research shows that having more money only increases your happiness until you’re making at least $75,000 per year – anything more you earn likely won’t have an impact’.
‘Therefore, when deciding where to live to maximize your happiness, you’ll want to pick a city that offers more than just a decent average income,’ he added.
The study comes after the US dropped to 23rd in the World Happiness Report, falling outside the top 20 for the first time and recording its lowest ranking in the report’s 12-year history.
Fremont, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is the happiest city in America, a study found
1. Fremont, California
Population: 226,208
Fremont, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is the happiest city in America, the report has found.
Residents have the highest rate of life satisfaction, the fifth-lowest depression rate, and the fourth-highest average life expectancy in America.
Fremont also has the lowest separation and divorce rate in the country, at only 8.9 per cent.
At nearly 80 per cent, the city also has highest share of households earning an income of more than $75,000 annually.
San Jose, also located in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been identified as the second happiest city in the US, according to WalletHub’s study
2. San Jose, California
Population: 969,655
San Jose, also located in the San Francisco Bay Area, has one of the best overall health and wellness scores.
It earns its second-ranking spot because many locals say they like where they live, feel safe and have pride in their community. Residents in San Jose also have the longest average life expectancy in the country.
The city recorded the fourth-lowest separation and divorce rate and at 72 per cent.
It also has the third-highest share of households with an annual income greater than $75,000.
Irvine, situated in the Orange County region of Southern California, is the third happiest city in America
3. Irvine, California
Population: 314,621
Irvine, situated in the Orange County region of Southern California, is home to more than 3million people and has the third-highest percentage of healthy residents in the nation.
More than 88 per cent of Irvine residents report having good or better health and nearly 84 per cent participate in physical activities, the study revealed. The city has the eighth-lowest depression rate.
The city’s high earnings threshold also contributed to it’s third place ranking on the happiness list, with nearly 68 per cent of households recording an income of over $75,000 per year.
Sioux Falls is the fourth happiest city in America, recording a total happiness score of 68.66
4. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Population: 206,410
Sioux Falls earns its fourth place spot for having the ninth-highest emotional and physical well-being score in the nation.
People in Sioux Falls are also far more likely than residents in other cities to get a good night’s sleep, WalletHub’s study found.
Additionally, South Dakota most populous city boasts a low unemployment rate and thriving economy, both of which contribute to personal happiness.
Overland Park, Kansas has consistently been recognized as one of the happiest cities in America due to its low poverty and unemployment rates, and high emotional and physical well-being scores
5. Overland Park, Kansas
Population: 197,089
Overland Park has consistently been recognized as one of the happiest cities in America due to its low poverty and unemployment rates.
Residents have recorded high emotional and physical well-being scores, with many citing access to good health care and leisurely activities as contributing factors.
It also boasts a relatively low separation and divorce rate.
Additionally, Overland Park is known for its strong sense of community and home to numerous parks and green spaces.
Lincoln, Nebraska is the sixth happiest city in America, with its amenities, economy, and affordability largely contributing to this ranking
6. Lincoln, Nebraska
Population: 294,757
Lincoln, Nebraska is the sixth happiest city in America, with its amenities, economy, and affordability largely contributing to this ranking.
Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska and the second largest city in the state.
The Wisconsin capital slotted seventh in WalletHub’s latest ranking of the happiest cities in America
7. Madison, Wisconsin
Population: 280,305
The Wisconsin capital slotted seventh in WalletHub’s latest ranking of the happiest cities in America.
Madison often ranks high in happiness studies due to residents recording a positive quality of life due to the city’s strong community, good schools, and access to nature.
Scottsdale, a desert city located east of the Arizona capital Phoenix, is the eighth happiest city in America
8. Scottsdale, Arizona
Population: 244,394
Scottsdale, a dessert city located east of the Arizona capital Phoenix, is the eighth happiest city in America, according to the report.
Residents have indicated they have a high-quality of life, with many citing factors such as good jobs, friendly communities and beautiful scenery.
San Francisco is the ninth happiest city in America
9. San Francisco, California
Population: 808,988
San Francisco is the ninth happiest city in America, according to the report.
The city boasts a low financial stress rates and features a vibrant culture, with locals saying they often make time of leisurely activities.
Roughly 61 per cent of residents reported that they feel happy most of the time.
California rounds of the top 10, with Huntington Beach
10. Huntington Beach, California
Population: 192,129
California, which has dominated the happiest cities list, rounds out the top 10 with Huntington Beach, located in the Greater Los Angeles area.
The so-called Surf City is known for its beaches, vibrant nightlife and vast assortment of leisurely activities.
Huntington Beach is considered an affluent area, recording a median household income that is 20 per cent higher than the rest of California.
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