Cold winters and bad drivers didn’t stop many New England states from being ranked some of the “happiest” in the United States in a new WalletHub study.
In the ranking, released Sept. 8, WalletHub looked at 30 metrics, including depression rate, feelings of productivity, income growth and unemployment rate, across all 50 states to determine which states are the happiest.
“In addition to pursuing your passions, having a good work-life balance and maintaining an emotional support network, another key way to boost your happiness is living in the right place,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a statement. “The happiest states are those that provide above-average quality of life in a wide variety of areas, from strong state economies and high quality physical and mental health care to adequate amounts of leisure time and good weather.”
It found that three New England states are in the top 10 nationally for happiness.
A Pew Research study reported in 2020 that 54% of Americans believe marriage is important to living a fulfilled life. According to a 2025 article in Psychology Today, though, marriage isn’t the ironclad predictor of happiness that it once was.
Which New England states are the happiest?
Connecticut was the highest ranked New England state for happiness.
It was ranked fifth for emotional and physical well-being, 11th for work environment, and 8th for community and environment rank. It also had the fourth lowest suicide rate and the fifth fewest work hours. However, it had the fourth lowest income growth.
New Hampshire and Massachusetts were eighth and ninth, respectively.
Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine are the least happy states in New England, according to the ranking, coming in at 26th, 29th, and 33rd respectively.
What states are the happiest?
Hawaii was ranked the happiest state by WalletHub for the second year in a row, boasting the highest levels of life satisfaction and the second-lowest depression rate in the nation.
Here are the top 10 happiest states.
What states are the least happy?
West Virginia was ranked last in WalletHub’s list of happiest states. They also found it had the highest share of adult depression, the second lowest sleep rate and the fourth lowest sports participation rate.
Here are the top 10 least happy states.
This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: How happy is your state? Three New England states make top 10 list
