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Curious about where happiness flourishes in the U.S.? Discover which cities not only boast joyful residents but also rank as the happiest in your state!
Your residential location significantly influences your overall quality of life. We set out to uncover the cities that embody the essence of happiness, where residents enjoy solid incomes, manageable commutes, and vibrant communities.
The findings? Happiness often thrives in smaller cities.
The Happiest Cities of 2026
- Bloomington, Illinois
- Olathe, Kansas
- Rochester, Minnesota
- Cary, North Carolina
- Appleton, Wisconsin
- Highlands Ranch, Colorado
- Bismarck, North Dakota
- Richardson, Texas
- Redmond, Washington
- Chandler, Arizona
Surprisingly, mid-sized towns outperform larger urban areas. It appears that a little space goes a long way in cultivating happiness.
How We Compiled This List
We transformed happiness into a measurable concept by analyzing cities across various key factors:
- Education levels (Percentage of the population with at least a bachelor’s degree)
- Percentage of households earning over $75,000
- Median home prices
- Commute times (Shorter commutes correlate with higher happiness)
- Family dynamics (Married individuals often report higher levels of happiness)
Our analysis encompassed over 600 cities to identify those rich in happiness factors.
Some may question the inclusion of marriage rates in our metrics; however, research consistently shows that married individuals tend to report greater happiness than their unmarried counterparts. It’s important to note that while marriage can provide a boost to happiness, it’s not the sole determinant. People often experience increased happiness after leaving unsatisfactory marriages. Positive relationships and social interactions, nevertheless, are vital for mental well-being.
As for the $75,000 income threshold, research from Purdue University suggests this amount meets basic needs and alleviates significant financial anxiety.
All data utilized in this study is derived from the latest American Community Survey.
Continue reading to learn what makes each of these 10 cities a hub of happiness—or jump to the end to see the happiest city in your state.
1. Bloomington, Illinois
Percent Earning $75k+: 43%
Average Commute: 16 minutes
Marriage Rate: 53%
Bloomington, Illinois ranks as the happiest city in America. What contributes to the happiness of Bloomington’s residents? For starters, they enjoy short commutes, averaging just 16 minutes. Coupled with affordable housing and strong family ties, it’s clear why Bloomington is thriving.
2. Olathe, Kansas
Percent Earning $75k+: 56%
Average Commute: 22 minutes
Marriage Rate: 61%
Olathe has overtaken Overland as the happiest city in Kansas. Located just 21 miles from Kansas City, residents enjoy the benefits of suburban living while maintaining access to urban excitement. With 35% of residents holding at least a bachelor’s degree, Olathe offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth.
3. Rochester, Minnesota
Percent Earning $75k+: 47%
Average Commute: 17.5 minutes
Marriage Rate: 52%
Rochester is the third happiest city in the nation and the happiest in Minnesota. With over half of its residents married, the city’s short commute times allow for more quality time spent with family and friends.
4. Cary, North Carolina
Percent Earning $75k+: 64%
Average Commute: 23 minutes
Marriage Rate: 57%
As the seventh largest city in North Carolina, Cary leads in happiness. With 64% of households earning over $75,000, residents can enjoy a high standard of living and peace of mind.
5. Appleton, Wisconsin
Percent Earning $75k+: 40%
Average Commute: 18 minutes
Marriage Rate: 54%
Ranked fifth happiest in the nation, Appleton, Wisconsin benefits from affordable housing, short commute times, and happy marriages, contributing to the overall well-being of its residents.
6. Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Percent Earning $75k+: 78%
Average Commute: 26 minutes
Marriage Rate: 64%
Highlands Ranch is a thriving community in Colorado, attracting many for its burgeoning tech scene and outdoor lifestyle. With 78% of households earning over $75,000 and reasonable commutes, it’s a great place for happiness.
7. Bismarck, North Dakota
Percent Earning $75k+: 44%
Average Commute: 18 minutes
Marriage Rate: 50%
Bismarck ranks as the seventh happiest city in the U.S. Residents enjoy good salaries and short commutes, allowing them to focus on personal passions and hobbies.
8. Richardson, Texas
Percent Earning $75k+: 57%
Average Commute: 23 minutes
Marriage Rate: 48%
As a prosperous suburb of Dallas, Richardson boasts a highly educated population with solid incomes, reasonable commute times, and good marriage rates, making it a desirable place to live.
9. Redmond, Washington
Percent Earning $75k+: 73%
Average Commute: 24.8 minutes
Marriage Rate: 58%
While many flock to Seattle for work, Redmond stands out as a place to live happily. Although home values are high (averaging around $825,700), residents enjoy substantial incomes and high educational attainment, with 39% holding bachelor’s degrees.
10. Chandler, Arizona
Percent Earning $75k+: 57%
Average Commute: 24.2 minutes
Marriage Rate: 52%
Chandler ranks as the happiest city in Arizona, attracting a growing population of millennials who are likely to spread the joy and foster a vibrant community.
Happiness is a Place
The happiest cities in America tend to be mid-sized, often situated as suburbs of larger metropolitan areas.
While we can’t guarantee that every resident in these top 10 cities is happy, they certainly have a greater likelihood of enjoying life. If you’re looking to enhance your own happiness, consider factors such as housing affordability, job satisfaction, income, and educational opportunities. If your city isn’t listed in the top 10, check out the table below to find the happiest city in your state.
The Happiest City In Every State
| State | Happiest City |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Huntsville |
| Alaska | Anchorage |
| Arizona | Chandler |
| Arkansas | Little Rock |
| California | Sunnyvale |
| Colorado | Highlands Ranch |
| Connecticut | Norwalk |
| Delaware | Wilmington |
| Florida | Coral Springs |
| Georgia | Sandy Springs |
| Hawaii | Honolulu |
| Idaho | Boise |
| Illinois | Bloomington |
| Indiana | Fort Wayne |
| Iowa | Sioux City |
| Kansas | Olathe |
| Kentucky | Lexington |
| Louisiana | Metairie |
| Maine | Portland |
| Maryland | Ellicott |
| Massachusetts | Newton |
| Michigan | Farmington Hills |
| Minnesota | Rochester |
| Mississippi | Jackson |
| Missouri | Columbia |
| Montana | Billings |
| Nebraska | Omaha |
| Nevada | Enterprise |
| New Hampshire | Nashua |
| New Jersey | Clifton |
| New Mexico | Albuquerque |
| New York | Cheektowaga |
| North Carolina | Cary |
| North Dakota | Bismarck |
| Ohio | Columbus |
| Oklahoma | Broken Arrow |
| Oregon | Hillsboro |
| Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh |
| Rhode Island | Providence |
| South Carolina | Charleston |
| South Dakota | Sioux Falls |
| Tennessee | Clarksville |
| Texas | Richardson |
| Utah | Sandy |
| Vermont | Burlington |
| Virginia | Virginia Beach |
| Washington | Redmond |
| West Virginia | Charleston |
| Wisconsin | Appleton |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
