The happiest states in America 2025

For the second year in a row, Hawaii has taken the top spot in the annual rankings of America’s happiest states in Waletub.

Wallethub’s 2025 report found that people across the country face difficult times and that despite addressing issues like cost of living and economic uncertainty, the condition you live in can have a major impact on your overall well-being.

To determine the ranking, Wallethub surveyed 50 states across 30 metrics, within three important aspects of emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment.

Each metric is rated on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the greatest happiness.

Last year, California and Florida were two states known as go-to areas for retirement, not ranked in the top 10. However, this year Golden State has returned to 7th place. Meanwhile, Florida was ranked 14th.

Beyond three key aspects, California ranked fourth for emotional and physical well-being, 45th in the work environment and 11th in the community and environment rankings.

“There’s a lot in California, but it seems there’s a lot of community pride. The economy works well, but there’s a big pocket in California outside of urban areas where the economy isn’t very good. So, while annual income may not be a high cost of your livelihood, Chipplepo creates Walthub, Cnbc.

“There appears to be general misfortunes and concerns about the overall working environment in the state. A strong work environment score could have easily put California in the top five.”

Hawaii scored the top spot on Wallethub’s list with an overall score of 65.50.

He was ranked 3rd in emotional and physical well-being, 16th in work environment and 13th in community and environment.

The report found that Hawaiian residents have the highest level of life satisfaction and the second lowest level of depression in the country. 85% of adults report that they are in good or better health, the 10th percentage in the US

“It’s obviously number one. They have great weather all year round. People are happy with life and they’re not depressed. They have a tourism economy all year round, so the unemployment rate is pretty low and the people there earn quite a lot of money insecure,” Rupo says.

Hawaii is one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, with the second-highest share of households earning over $75,000 per year. The state has the 11th lowest share of adults with economic insecurity.

Among CNBC’s annual top states in American business research, Hawaii ranked 6th for its quality of life. The report says that crime is low, but the environment is untouched and people are inclusive, but there is still a long way to go when it comes to childcare and healthcare.

Hawaii’s Quality of Life score for 2025 was 173 out of 265, and it received an overall grade of B in the CNBC annual survey.

Maryland has kept its place as the second best state in the United States. According to a report on Wallethub, the total score for the old line state was 64.13.

The state was ranked third in indicators of emotional and physical well-being, 14th in the work environment and 10th in the community and environment rankings. The latter two categories are down from last year’s 10th and 6th place respectively.

Rupo says that there is likely a drop in the major dimension rankings as Maryland is commuting, with most people traveling to work.

“Maryland is in a very temporary state. Many Maryland leave to work and commutes are very high, so the work environment is average at best. There are pockets in Maryland that are common to border states like West Virginia than the DC Metro area or Baltimore,” he adds.

Wallethub found that Maryland has the highest percentage of households making more than $75,000 a year. The old Rhine state provides residents with a cost of living that is comparable to the national average. According to Rentcafe, housing is 2% lower than the national average and utilities are 10% higher.

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