The 10 Happiest States in the U.S.

Happy Nation?

Americans are feeling better these days, at least according to the latest Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, an annual ranking of how people in the states view their purpose, social status, financial well-being, community, and physical health.

Per Gallup, the nation scored a 62.1 in 2016, a “statistically meaningful improvement” from the scores of 61.7 and 61.6 it achieved in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Scores can fall anywhere between 0 to 100. The higher the score, the happier and healthier we’re considered to be.

Of course, some states have more chill than others. (Spoiler alert: Wide open spaces seem to help.)

Define Happy ...

Gallup’s rankings are based on over 177,000 interviews with U.S. adults across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It was conducted Jan. 2 to Dec. 30, 2016. The index measures five elements of well-being, including:

• Purpose: Whether you like what you do each day and are motivated to achieve your goals
• Social: Whether you have supportive relationships and love in your life
• Financial: Whether your finances are stressing you out (You can get an idea of where yours currently stand by viewing your free credit report snapshot, updated every 14 days, on Credit.com.)
• Community: Whether you like where you live, feel safe and have community pride
• Physical: Whether you’re in good health with enough energy for your daily to-do list

With this criteria in mind, here are the healthiest and happiest states in the U.S.

10th Happiest State: Texas

Well-Being Score: 63.1

9th Happiest State (Tie): Minnesota

Well-Being Score: 63.2

9th Happiest State (Tie): Montana

Well-Being Score: 63.2

7th Happiest State: Arizona

Well-Being Score: 63.4

6th Happiest State (Tie): Vermont

Well-Being Score: 63.5

6th Happiest State (Tie): Colorado

Well-Being Score: 63.5

4th Happiest State: Maine

Well-Being Score: 63.6

3rd Happiest State: South Dakota

Well-Being Score: 63.7

2nd Happiest State: Alaska

Well-Being Score: 64.0

Happiest State: Hawaii

Well-Being Score: 65.2