Hawaii has been named America’s happiest state in WalletHub’s 2026 ranking, with New Jersey and Utah close behind. The study evaluated all 50 states across 30 measures tied to emotional well-being, health, financial security, relationships, work-life balance, leisure and safety, offering a broad view of what contributes to happiness.
Key takeaways
- Hawaii ranked first, supported by strong life satisfaction and health outcomes.
- New Jersey placed second, led by low depression and separation rates.
- Utah ranked third, with outstanding economic security and work-life measures.
- Idaho, Maryland and Nebraska rounded out the next three positions.
- Connecticut, Minnesota, California and New Hampshire completed the top 10.
Hawaii takes the top spot
Hawaii’s first-place finish was driven by the nation’s highest life satisfaction, the second-lowest adult depression rate and strong overall health. Nearly 84% of adults in the state reported being in good or better health, highlighting the connection between physical well-being and perceived happiness.
The ranking also reflects broader quality-of-life advantages, including opportunities for leisure and social connection. While no single factor determines happiness, Hawaii’s performance across several categories helped it lead the country overall.
New Jersey excels in relationships and mental health
New Jersey ranked second, standing out for its exceptionally low prevalence of depression. The state also recorded the highest percentage of supportive partnerships and the country’s second-lowest rate of separation and divorce.
Those findings suggest that strong personal relationships and emotional support played a major role in New Jersey’s high position. Its result demonstrates that happiness rankings extend beyond income and economic conditions.
Utah combines security with balance
Utah claimed third place after earning the highest economic security score among the states. It also posted the lowest rate of divorce and separation and the fewest average weekly labor hours.
The combination of financial stability, relationship durability and comparatively shorter work hours gave Utah a particularly balanced profile. Together, these factors may support lower stress and more time for family, recreation and community life.
The rest of the top 10
Idaho and Maryland followed Utah in fourth and fifth place. Idaho’s strong showing helped maintain the Mountain West’s presence near the top, while Maryland’s inclusion underscored the role of health, finances and social conditions in overall well-being.
The remaining top-ranked states were:
- Nebraska
- Connecticut
- Minnesota
- California
- New Hampshire
These results show that happiness is not limited to one region or lifestyle. States in the Midwest, Northeast, West and Pacific all appeared among the leading performers.
What the ranking measures
WalletHub assessed the states using 30 indicators spanning social connections, leisure time, employment, health, finances and safety. The broad methodology is designed to capture both personal circumstances and the environments in which residents live.
The ranking does not suggest that every resident of a highly placed state is happy or that lower-ranked states lack quality of life. Instead, it provides a comparative snapshot of conditions associated with well-being across the country.