Where do the happiest people in the US live?

The happiest people in the U.S. often live in states like Hawaii, Maryland, and Nebraska, while top-ranking cities consistently include Fremont, San Jose, and Irvine in California, along with places like Sioux Falls (SD) and Lincoln (NE), generally showing strong communities, good mental/physical health, stable economies, and access to nature. Coastal areas and the West generally score high, but Midwestern cities like Minneapolis also shine due to green spaces and strong well-being metrics.

What state are people happiest after moving to?

Hawaii is the happiest state in America for the second year in a row. Hawaii landed the top spot on WalletHub's list with an overall score of 65.50. It ranked third for emotional and physical well-being, 16th for work environment and 13th for community and environment.

Where is the most peaceful place to live in the United States?

For ultimate peace, Fort Collins, Colorado, often tops lists due to low noise & abundant parks, while other quiet spots include Maine (most peaceful state), Bald Head Island, NC (very quiet small town), and Hopkinton, MA (community focus). Your ideal spot depends on if you prefer mountain serenity (like Boulder), coastal calm (Camden, ME), or Midwestern charm (Madison, WI). 

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 do the happiest retirees live in the USA?

Caring.com's 2025 Senior Happiness Index identifies states where seniors are most content, connected, and live longest. Utah is ranked as the happiest state for older adults due to high volunteer rates, good health, and excellent health care access.

Where Are the Happiest Places to Live in America?

What is the cheapest and happiest state for retirees?

Cheapest States to Retire In

• Mississippi. Cost of Living: Lowest in the U.S. ...
• Alabama. Cost of Living: Significantly lower than the national average. ...
• Arkansas. Cost of Living: Among the lowest in the nation. ...
• Oklahoma. Cost of Living: Lower healthcare and housing costs. ...
• West Virginia. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• South Carolina. ...
• Kentucky.

How many Americans have $1,000,000 in retirement savings?

Only a small fraction of Americans, roughly 2.5% to 4.7%, have $1 million or more in retirement savings, with the percentage rising slightly to around 3.2% among actual retirees, according to recent Federal Reserve data analyses. A higher percentage, about 9.2%, of those nearing retirement (ages 55-64) have reached this milestone, though the majority of households have significantly less saved. 

What is the coziest city in America?

There's no single "coziest" city, as it depends on your preference (cozy cafes, fall vibes, historic charm), but recent studies often highlight Jersey City, NJ, for its cafes and community spots, or San Francisco, CA, for its fog and charming neighborhoods, while Portland, ME, is praised for fall coziness, and other cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, and historic St. Augustine, FL, also rank high for their unique cozy atmospheres. 

What is the least friendliest state?

The most welcoming states are Vermont, Maine, and Hawaii. The least welcoming states are Missouri, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Most Americans greet strangers with a handshake (60%), smile (47%), or by making eye contact (25%). Over 1 in 5 Americans say they aren't comfortable with physical contact when greeting.

Which state has the prettiest people?

There's no single, objective answer to which state has the most attractive people, as beauty is subjective, but surveys and discussions often point to California, New York, and Florida due to their large, diverse populations and entertainment industries, while Midwest states like Illinois and states with outdoor cultures like Colorado & Utah also rank high in different polls, often citing diverse beauty types from models to rugged outdoorsy types. 

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. 

What is the absolute best state to live in?

10 Best US States to Live In, According to a New Study

• New Jersey.
• Wisconsin. ...
• Minnesota. ...
• Florida. ...
• New Hampshire. ...
• Utah. ...
• New York. ...
• Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania rounds out the top 10 most liveable states with a balanced showing across several key categories. ...

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. 

What state has the least happiest people?

Based on recent studies, particularly WalletHub's 2025 analysis, Louisiana and West Virginia consistently rank as the unhappiest states, often swapping the bottom spots, with Louisiana frequently cited as the absolute least happy due to factors like high depression rates, long work hours, low sleep quality, and high divorce rates, while West Virginia struggles with high adult depression and poor sleep. Other states often in the bottom ranks include Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee. 

What is the #1 state people are moving to?

While it varies slightly by source, North Carolina and South Carolina are consistently ranked as the #1 or #2 most popular states people are moving to in 2024-2025, often followed by Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama, driven by affordability, job growth, lower taxes, and quality of life, especially in the Southeast. 

What state has the nicest people?

While "nicest" is subjective, recent surveys and reports frequently rank Minnesota, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Texas as having the friendliest people, often citing "Minnesota Nice," Southern hospitality, and Texas's outgoing nature; Wyoming and Hawaii also appear high on lists for neighborly friendliness and welcoming attitudes.
 

What is the #1 safest state in the US?

Vermont ranks as the safest state in the U.S., based on neighborhood safety, a low unemployment rate and safe roads, according to an Oct. 6 ranking from WalletHub.

What is America's prettiest state?

There's no single "most beautiful" state, as it's subjective, but California, Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, and Washington consistently rank high for diverse, breathtaking scenery, offering everything from epic coastlines and massive mountains to lush rainforests and unique desert landscapes, with California often cited for its unparalleled variety. 

What is the nerdiest city in America?

Seattle, Washington ranks as the nerdiest city in the U.S. With an overall nerd score of 87.1/100, Seattle received such a high score due to its abundance of comic book shops, gaming stores, and high frequencies for Google searches of nerdy interests.

What is America's prettiest city?

There's no single "most beautiful" city, as it's subjective, but Charleston, SC, frequently tops lists for historic charm, architecture, and Southern hospitality. Other top contenders include Seattle, praised for its natural setting with mountains and ocean, San Francisco, known for its iconic views, and New York City, celebrated for its vibrant, world-class atmosphere.
 

What is the average 401k balance for a 65 year old?

For a 65-year-old, the average 401(k) balance is around $299,000, but the more representative median balance is significantly lower, at about $95,000, indicating many high savers pull the average up, with balances varying greatly by individual savings habits, income, and other retirement accounts. 

What expenses do retirees often forget?

Fuel, auto insurance, maintenance and monthly payments for a new vehicle are important expenses to take into consideration. Leisure activities and vacation: With more free time, many retirees find themselves traveling or engaging in leisure activities more often.

Can I live off the interest of 1 million dollars?

Yes, you can likely live off the interest of $1 million, but it depends heavily on your annual expenses, location, and investment strategy; using the 4% Rule suggests about $40,000/year (plus inflation adjustments), but a more conservative approach or lower spending might be needed to last, while higher-risk/return investments (like S&P 500) could yield more, like $100,000 annually before taxes, notes SmartAsset.com and Investopedia.