Money can buy happiness, but how much?
Personal finance website WalletHub conducted an in depth analysis of 2015’s most and least happy states, including the District of Columbia, by using 25 different key metrics. The data set ranges from not just income levels, but emotional health and sports participation rates, among others.
When it’s all added up, Utah is the nation’s happiest state, followed by Minnesota (2), Hawaii (3), Colorado (4) and North Dakota (5).
Nebraska (6), Washington (7), Iowa (8), Massachusetts (9) and Wyoming (10) round out the top 10 most happy states.
West Virginia was ranked last, making it the least happy in the nation. It was followed by Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Some key stats:
— Oregon’s depression rate is twice as high as Hawaii’s.
— Colorado participates in the most sports.
— Montana’s suicide rate is four times as high as the District of Columbia’s.
— The District of Columbia’s long-term unemployment rate is four times as high as North Dakota’s.
— Arkansas is the most obese state.
— West Virginia’s heart attack rate is three times as high as Utah’s.
— Massachusetts and Vermont are the two safest states to live in.
— Utah’s volunteerism rate is three times as high as Louisiana’s.
— Alaskans work the highest number of work hours, compared to Utah which works the lowest number of hours.
— The District of Columbia’s divorce rate is twice as high as Utah’s.
— Nevada has the lowest income growth, followed by Michigan, Florida, Georgia and Arizona.
View the full report to see where your state ranks, here.
