What is the happiest city in the US?

There's no single "happiest city" as it's subjective, but recent studies often name Fremont, California, as a top contender due to high income, low depression rates, and good well-being; other lists highlight cities like San Jose, Irvine, and Sioux Falls, while others focus on culture (New Orleans) or social services (Minneapolis), showing happiness depends on what factors you value.

What is the #1 best city to live in America?

There's no single "number one" city, as it depends on what you value, but New York City often tops global lists for culture/vibrancy (World's Best Cities 2025), while Brookline, MA, and Washington, D.C. rank high for quality of life/livability by U.S. News & Real Estate and RentCafe, respectively, focusing on amenities, safety, and schools; other top contenders vary by criteria, with suburbs like Naperville, IL, and cities like Charleston, SC, leading for small-town feel or food scenes. 

What is the happiest small town in the United States?

The happiest small towns in America vary by list, but consistently feature places with strong communities, outdoor access, and good quality of life, with recent mentions including White Rock, NM, praised for low poverty and close community; Eureka Springs, AR, known for its historic charm; Stowe, VT, and Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, for beauty and amenities; and Sugarcreek, OH, for Amish culture. Other contenders often cited are Taos, NM, Bisbee, AZ, and charming spots like Fish Creek, WI, and Saratoga Springs, NY.
 

What is the least happy city in the United States?

The data set ranges from depression rate, to income-growth rate, to average leisure time spent per day. Cleveland will hold the title this year as the least happy city in America, finishing last out of all 182 cities surveyed.

What are the 5 unhappiest states in the US?

The Top 5 happiest states in the U.S. are: Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey and Connecticut. The 5 LEAST happy states in the U.S. are: West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and Alaska.

Top 10 HAPPIEST Cities in America

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

What is the hardest U.S. state to live in?

These states are America's worst for quality of life in 2025:

• Arkansas.
• Alabama.
• Georgia.
• Louisiana.
• Utah.
• Indiana.
• Texas.
• Tennessee.

What is the most stressful city in America?

According to recent studies, Detroit, Michigan, consistently ranks as the most stressed city in the U.S., followed closely by cities like Cleveland, Baltimore, and Gulfport, MS, primarily due to high rates of unemployment, poverty, financial strain, and inadequate sleep, with Rust Belt and Southern cities often dominating the top spots. 

What is the happiest city on Earth?

The happiest city on Earth, according to the 2025 Happy City Index, is Copenhagen, Denmark, praised for its strong education, innovation, sustainability, transparent governance, and excellent healthcare access, while other top contenders include Zurich, Singapore, Aarhus, and Antwerp, reflecting Scandinavian success in quality of life.
 

What is the least desirable city to live in the US?

Clever Offers survey shows Nashville and Tampa top the list of best cities to live, as D.C. remains the least desirable with 28% calling it the worst. Key Details: Clever Offers survey finds 69% of Americans like where they live, down from 73% in 2024, while 73% say they could be convinced to move to another state.

Where do the kindest people in America live?

While "nicest" is subjective, studies and surveys often point to Minnesota, known for "Minnesota Nice," along with Southern states like Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia, and Midwestern states like Iowa, as having very friendly and polite people, often characterized by strong community spirit and helpfulness. Other frequently mentioned spots include Hawaii, Colorado, and Wisconsin, known for relaxed attitudes or deep-rooted hospitality. 

Where is the prettiest place in America to live?

The most beautiful places to live in the U.S. offer diverse scenery, from coastal gems like Santa Barbara, CA, and Portland, ME, to mountain paradises in Aspen, CO, Jackson, WY, and Asheville, NC, with vibrant cities like Seattle, WA, and charming historic towns like Hudson, NY, and Savannah, GA, also ranking high for natural beauty, quality of life, and outdoor access. The "best" choice depends on preference for mountains, beaches, desert landscapes, or vibrant city life, with options like Hawaii, Oregon, and Utah also frequently cited for stunning states.
 

What is the richest small town in America?

GoBankingRates put together a list of the most affluent small towns in all 50 states. Towns with 500 to 1,500 households were considered eligible for the list. Medina, Washington, had the highest median household income and the highest average home value.

What is the kindest city in America?

There's no single "friendliest" city, as different surveys name various places, but San Diego, CA, Chattanooga, TN, Greenville, SC, and Charleston, SC, frequently top lists for welcoming locals and positive vibes, alongside Southern cities like Raleigh, NC, and Midwestern spots such as Milwaukee, WI, often recognized for community spirit, helpfulness, and high volunteer rates. 

Which city is most beautiful?

There's no single "most beautiful city," as it's subjective, but cities frequently praised for their stunning visuals, unique charm, and natural settings include San Francisco, Cape Town, Vancouver, Prague, Florence, Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, and Sydney, often cited for their iconic bridges, dramatic landscapes, historic architecture, vibrant cultures, or harmonious blend of city and nature. What's beautiful depends on whether you prefer dramatic skylines, historical grandeur, or natural integration.
 

What city is #1 quality of life in the world?

Zurich. Consistently ranking at the top, Zurich has earned its reputation as one of the best quality-of-life cities in the world. This Swiss financial and cultural hub boasts a nearly unmatched combination of high educational attainment, exceptional public transportation, and meticulous urban environments.

What is the safest and happiest place on Earth?

These policies don't just shape economies—they shape lives. The World Happiness Report 2024 ranks Finland first for the seventh consecutive year, followed closely by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. Other nations like Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and New Zealand consistently make the top 10. The data isn't random.

What is the least happiest city in the United States?

Cleveland was rated the least happy city in the U.S. WalletHub noted that money alone isn't always an indicator of happiness; happiness tends to peak at around incomes of $75,000, the website says.

What is the most unhealthy city in the United States?

According to recent analyses, Brownsville, Texas, consistently ranks as the unhealthiest city in America, struggling with low physical activity, obesity, limited access to healthy food, and poor healthcare metrics, with similar Southern/Southwestern cities like Gulfport (MS), Shreveport (LA), Columbus (GA), and Laredo (TX) also appearing at the bottom of lists based on WalletHub and other studies. These cities often score poorly due to factors like high rates of chronic disease, lack of green spaces, and fewer healthy food options. 

What is the most relaxed state to live in?

For the most relaxed state, rankings vary slightly by study, but South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Vermont, and Hawaii consistently appear as top contenders with low stress, good work-life balance, strong health/safety, or low anxiety rates, often highlighting the Midwest, New England, and the island state for peaceful living. 

Which city is best to settle in the USA?

Table of Contents

• New York City, New York.
• Los Angeles, California.
• Houston, Texas.
• San Francisco, California.
• Boston, Massachusetts.
• Austin, Texas.
• Chicago, Illinois.
• Atlanta, Georgia.

Which state has the nicest people?

There's no single "nicest" state, but studies and surveys often point to Minnesota, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming as top contenders for friendliness, based on factors like tourist impressions and acts of kindness. Other states like Hawaii, Iowa, and parts of the South (like Kentucky, North Carolina) are also frequently praised for their welcoming and kind residents, though perceptions of niceness can vary by individual and region.
 

What is the #1 most violent city in the US?

While rankings vary by source and year, Memphis, Tennessee, frequently appears as the #1 most dangerous city in America based on recent violent crime rates (per 100,000 people) for cities with populations over 100,000, followed by cities like Detroit, Oakland, and Baltimore, according to reports from 2024 and 2025. These lists consider factors like homicides, assaults, and property crimes, with Memphis often leading due to high rates of violent offenses. 

What is the unhealthiest state to live in?

While rankings vary slightly by study, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Kentucky consistently appear as the most unhealthy U.S. states, often due to high rates of obesity, smoking, chronic disease, substance abuse, poor nutrition, mental distress, and lower life expectancies, with many of these top contenders located in the South.