With the COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on Americans’ mental health, the personal-finance website today released its report on 2020’s Happiest States in America, as well as accompanying videos.
To determine where Americans have the highest satisfaction with life, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 32 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from the depression rate and the positive COVID-19 testing rate to income growth and the unemployment rate.| Happiest States in America | |
| 1. Hawaii | 11. Nebraska |
| 2. Utah | 12. South Dakota |
| 3. Minnesota | 13. Massachusetts |
| 4. New Jersey | 14. Virginia |
| 5. Maryland | 15. Washington |
| 6. California | 16. Vermont |
| 7. North Dakota | 17. New York |
| 8. Iowa | 18. Wisconsin |
| 9. Idaho | 19. Nevada |
| 10. Connecticut | 20. Arizona |
Best vs. Worst
- New Jersey has the lowest share of adult depression, 11.66 percent, which is 2.3 times lower than in West Virginia, which has the highest at 27.25 percent.
- New York and New Jersey have the fewest suicides (per 100,000 residents), 8, which is 3.1 times fewer than in Wyoming, which has the most at 25.
- North Dakota has the lowest long-term unemployment rate, 13.10 percent, which is 3.4 times lower than in New Mexico, which has the highest at 44.90 percent.
- Utah has the highest volunteer rate, 51.00 percent, which is 2.2 times higher than in Florida, where the rate is the lowest at 22.80 percent.
- Utah has the lowest separation and divorce rate, 15.80 percent, which is 1.7 times lower than in Nevada, which has the highest at 26.28 percent.
