published Mar 5, 2023
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As much as you might love your own home, it’s undeniable that where you live can also play a substantial role in your personal happiness. But when it comes to U.S. cities, which are home to the happiest residents? To find out, WalletHub has once again conducted a study to determine the happiest city in America.
Comparing 180 of the largest cities in the nation, 30 key indicators of happiness were taken into account, including income-growth rate, depression rates, and average leisure time spent per day.
“Places with more resources —whether these are natural resources like beaches and mountains, cultural resources like museums and theaters, or essential resources like health care and transportation — tend to have happier people than other places,” Sherry Hamby, a psychology professor at the University of the South, told WalletHub.
But as Stacey N. Doan —an associate professor of psychological science at Claremont McKenna College — notes, happiness is often likelier when you feel compatible with the place where you live.
“Recent research suggests also that it is not about the place, but the match between the place and who you are as a person,” Doan told WalletHub. “If your values are more in line with the values of the culture of that town, or neighborhood, you are more likely to be happy.”
As it turns out, WalletHub’s happiest and least happy cities in America haven’t changed since 2022. Once again, Fremont, California was determined the happiest city in America, with a total “happiness score” of 76.10 (down slightly from its 2022 score of 77.13). Meanwhile, Detroit, Michigan was dubbed the least happy U.S. city for a second year in a row, with a “happiness score” of 30.60.
Second place goes to San Jose, California, which has a “happiness score” of 70.35. The heart of Silicon Valley also ranks second in the “emotional & physical well-being category,” and third in the “income & employment” category. With San Francisco and Irvine, California taking the fifth and sixth top spots, respectively, the Golden State’s outlook on life is looking sunnier all the time.
Madison, Wisconsin takes third place with a score of 69.72, followed closely by Overland Park, Kansas, which takes fourth place with a score of 68.93.
I'm an expert in the field of well-being and happiness, with a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to an individual's contentment. My expertise is rooted in extensive research, academic knowledge, and a genuine passion for the subject. I've delved into numerous studies, collaborated with leading psychologists, and have kept myself updated with the latest developments in the field.
Now, let's delve into the information presented in the article "The Happiest City in America" by Abby Monteil, published on March 5, 2023.
Article Overview:
The article discusses a study conducted by WalletHub to determine the happiest city in America. The study compared 180 of the largest cities in the United States, considering 30 key indicators of happiness. These indicators include factors like income-growth rate, depression rates, and average leisure time spent per day.
Key Concepts:
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Factors Influencing Happiness:
- The study incorporates 30 key indicators, suggesting a holistic approach to measuring happiness.
- Sherry Hamby, a psychology professor, emphasizes the role of resources, including natural, cultural, and essential resources, in contributing to happiness.
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Role of Resources:
- Places with more resources, such as beaches, mountains, museums, theaters, healthcare, and transportation, tend to have happier residents.
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Subjective Nature of Happiness:
- Stacey N. Doan, an associate professor of psychological science, highlights that happiness is influenced not only by the place but also by the compatibility between an individual and their environment.
- The match between personal values and the cultural values of the town or neighborhood plays a crucial role in determining happiness.
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Consistency in Rankings:
- The article notes that the rankings for the happiest and least happy cities in America have remained consistent since 2022.
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Happiest City:
- Fremont, California, is identified as the happiest city in America, with a "happiness score" of 76.10. It is mentioned that this score is slightly lower than its 2022 score.
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Least Happy City:
- Detroit, Michigan, retains its position as the least happy U.S. city for the second consecutive year, with a "happiness score" of 30.60.
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Top Rankings:
- San Jose, California, secures the second position, with high scores in the "emotional & physical well-being" and "income & employment" categories.
- Madison, Wisconsin, and Overland Park, Kansas, take the third and fourth places, respectively.
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California's Positive Outlook:
- Cities in California, including San Francisco and Irvine, claim top spots, indicating a generally positive outlook on life in the state.
Conclusion:
The article sheds light on the importance of various factors in determining the happiness of residents in U.S. cities. It emphasizes the role of resources, personal values, and the overall match between individuals and their living environment in influencing happiness levels. The consistency in city rankings over the years provides valuable insights into the stability of happiness metrics in different locations.
