What's the least happiest state?

According to recent analyses, particularly WalletHub's 2025 report, West Virginia consistently ranks as the least happy state in the U.S., struggling with high rates of depression, poor physical health outcomes, low income, and limited job opportunities, followed by states like Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama. These rankings are based on factors like mental and physical health, work-life balance, economic security, and community well-being.

What state has the lowest happiness?

According to recent studies, West Virginia is frequently ranked as the most unhappy state in the U.S., followed closely by states like Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama, facing challenges with high depression rates, poor sleep, limited physical activity, and tough economic/work environments. These rankings often come from WalletHub analyses, which consider factors like emotional well-being, work-life balance, and community/environment quality, though results can shift slightly year to year.
 

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 state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different reports rank states differently, but Vermont is frequently cited as #1 for Quality of Life (CNBC), while Massachusetts often leads overall livability/best state rankings (WalletHub), and Utah ranks high overall for Best States (U.S. News). These rankings vary by the specific metrics used, such as health, safety, environment, education, or economic opportunity. 

Which state is the friendliest?

There's no single "friendliest" state, as it depends on the study, but Minnesota, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas, and South Carolina consistently rank high for welcoming locals and positive visitor experiences, with Minnesota often cited for its "Minnesota Nice" politeness, Hawaii for its "Aloha Spirit," and Southern states like Tennessee and South Carolina for their renowned hospitality. 

These 10 US States Are the Least Happy in 2025 — Here's Why

Which state is the cheapest to live in?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to the nation's lowest housing costs, plus low property taxes and inexpensive groceries, though other contenders like West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama also offer very low overall costs, with strong affordability in housing, utilities, and transportation. 

What is the least fun state in the US?

There's no single "least interesting" state, as it's subjective, but surveys and opinions often point to West Virginia, Mississippi, Delaware, and North Dakota as having fewer entertainment/recreation options by some metrics, while states like Kansas, Nebraska, and Idaho are sometimes cited as less engaging for driving due to flatness or remoteness, though all states offer unique spots. 

What is the most loved state?

While it depends on the metric, Hawaii consistently ranks as the most "loved" or favorably viewed U.S. state in national polls, leading in overall favorability and happiness, followed closely by states like Alaska, Colorado, and North Carolina, known for natural beauty and outdoor appeal, according to YouGov and WalletHub studies. 

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. 

What is the #1 crime state in America?

Alaska consistently ranks as the state with the highest violent crime rate, followed closely by New Mexico, with Tennessee and Arkansas also having very high rates, according to 2024 data from sources like USAFacts and WorldAtlas. These figures reflect crimes per 100,000 residents, showing Alaska at over 724 incidents, significantly above the national average. 

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.
 

What states are losing the most population?

The states losing the most population by sheer numbers recently are New York, California, and Illinois, primarily due to people moving out (net domestic outmigration), though New York often leads in percentage decline. Other states like Hawaii, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have also seen declines, sometimes driven by natural decrease (more deaths than births) as well as migration. 

What is the most depressed state in the USA?

The "saddest" states in the U.S., often indicated by high rates of depression, poor mental well-being, or low happiness scores, consistently include West Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee, with other states like Oklahoma, Alabama, and Oregon frequently appearing in top rankings for depression prevalence, according to data from sources like U.S. News & World Report, CDC, and WalletHub. These states often struggle with economic hardship, limited healthcare access, and higher chronic health issues, contributing to lower overall emotional health.
 

What is the #1 happiest country?

Finland is the world's happiest country, holding the top spot for the eighth consecutive year in the 2025 World Happiness Report, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands, with high rankings attributed to strong social support, freedom, low corruption, and high living standards.
 

What is the least desirable state to live in?

U.S. & World News ranks Louisiana the worst state in the nation, as it has rather consistently since 2017. Low performance across all metrics, especially crime and education concerns.

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 expensive state to live in?

Top 10 states with the HIGHEST cost of living 💰💰💰 The No. 1 most expensive state is Hawaii, according to Stacker, which analyzed the rankings based on the cost of living by The Council for Community & Economic Research.

What's the prettiest state to live in?

The most beautiful states to live in often feature diverse landscapes, with California, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado consistently topping lists for stunning coasts, mountains, deserts, and national parks, alongside the raw wilderness of Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming, and the unique charm of New Mexico, Maine, and Vermont, offering everything from red rocks to lush forests.
 

What state has the lowest IQ rating?

Mississippi often ranks as the U.S. state with the lowest average IQ, followed closely by states like Louisiana, California, Hawaii, and New Mexico, though scores and rankings vary slightly by study, often linked to education levels, poverty, and cultural factors influencing test results. These scores are averages and reflect broad trends, not individuals, with studies frequently highlighting socioeconomic disparities as major contributors to lower scores in some regions. 

What is the most calm state?

Maine is consistently ranked as the most peaceful U.S. state by various reports, including the US Peace Index by Vision of Humanity, due to its low violent crime, incarceration rates, and police presence, often followed by neighbors like New Hampshire and Vermont, while southern states like Louisiana tend to be least peaceful.
 

What is the wildest state in the USA?

About 52% of the wilderness area is in Alaska, with 57,425,569 acres (89,727.452 mi2; 232,393.03 km2) of wilderness. They are located in 44 states (except in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, and Rhode Island) and Puerto Rico.

Which state is worth moving to?

The study found the best states to move to are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho and Virginia. According to the list, worst states to move to are California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oregon.

Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the US?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often involve the Midwest and South, with cities like Wichita (KS), Fort Wayne (IN), Dayton (OH), and Knoxville (TN) offering low housing costs and good value, while states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma consistently rank as most affordable overall. Key factors are low housing prices and a cost of living significantly below the national average, with some top contenders being Decatur (IL), Enid (OK), and Brownsville (TX), but "best" depends on balancing budget with lifestyle needs like jobs, culture, and amenities. 

Which states have no state income tax?

As of 2025, there are nine states that don't collect any state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.