Find a Job You Really Want In
Finding the ideal place to live encompasses more than just physical attributes such as safe neighborhoods, scenic parks, shopping venues, and dining options. What about the intangible elements like community attitudes, beliefs, and overall happiness? These factors can significantly influence your quality of life.
While happiness can be subjective and challenging to quantify, we’ve developed an effective method to assess the happiness of mid-sized cities in America. Here’s our updated list of the 10 happiest mid-sized cities for 2026:
- Lee’s Summit, MO
- Broken Arrow, OK
- Mount Pleasant, SC
- Newton, MA
- Carmel, IN
- Fishers, IN
- Highlands Ranch, CO
- O’Fallon, MO
- Rochester, MN
- Livonia, MI
To create this list, we employed concrete data to evaluate subjective perceptions of happiness. Below, we outline the criteria used in our analysis.
Methodology for Ranking Happiness
To transform subjective happiness into an objective ranking, we collected data based on the following criteria:
- Educational attainment (Percentage of the population with at least a bachelor’s degree)
- Employment status (Unemployment rate)
- Commute duration (Average time spent commuting)
- Cost of living (Relative affordability)
- Family stability (Percentage of married residents)
- Homeownership rates (Percentage of residents who own their homes)
- Poverty levels (Percentage of the population living below the poverty line)
Our data sources include recent surveys and studies that reflect the current socioeconomic landscape. After establishing our criteria, we ranked America’s mid-sized cities (those ranked 201st to 500th in size) based on these metrics.
Each city was assigned a score from one to 300 for each criterion, with a score of one indicating the highest level of happiness. In cases of tied scores, the larger city received the higher ranking. We then averaged the rankings to create a Happiness Index, with the lowest overall Index representing the title of “Happiest Mid-Sized City in America.”
Continue reading for insights into why these cities are ranked so highly, along with a comprehensive table of rankings at the end.
1. Lee’s Summit
Residents of Lee’s Summit often cite factors beyond material wealth for their happiness. With an impressive 72% homeownership rate and a low unemployment rate of 5.4%, many life concerns are alleviated, contributing to their overall sense of well-being.
2. Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow boasts a strong community with 59% of its population married and a poverty rate significantly below the national average. With 73% of residents owning their homes and an unemployment rate of just 6%, the city offers both stability and affordability.
3. Mount Pleasant
True to its name, Mount Pleasant is a family-friendly community with one of the lowest costs of living at 88.5, making it an attractive option for those looking for affordability without sacrificing quality of life.
4. Newton
Newton has been likened to the idyllic town depicted in the movie “Pleasantville,” offering a high percentage of insured residents and the 11th lowest cost of living in the nation. With a poverty rate among the lowest, this charming city has much to offer.
5. Carmel
Carmel may have a slightly higher cost of living at 104, but it compensates with a high percentage of married residents and a strong job market. Residents enjoy a fulfilling life with their families in a community that values homeownership.
6. Fishers
Fishers stands out with an 80% homeownership rate and a low unemployment rate. With 62% of residents married, the community supports a stable and happy lifestyle, boasting one of the lowest poverty rates in the country.
7. Highlands Ranch
Just minutes from Denver, Highlands Ranch offers a vibrant community with the lowest poverty rate among the cities in our study. While the cost of living is slightly above average at 113, residents enjoy a high quality of life with a 4.3% unemployment rate.
8. O’Fallon
O’Fallon combines family values and economic stability, with 78% of residents owning homes and a remarkably low poverty rate of 4.4%. The unemployment rate is also commendably low, making it a desirable place for families.
9. Rochester
Rochester frequently receives accolades for its livability, with an average commute time of just 16 minutes. This efficiency, combined with an unemployment rate of 4.8%, allows residents to enjoy more quality time with family and friends.
10. Livonia
In Livonia, 81% of residents own their homes, with a low poverty rate of 5.5% and only 6.6% of the population lacking health insurance. This combination fosters a strong sense of community and satisfaction among its residents.
Quantifying Happiness
While happiness is an abstract concept, our methodology provides a reliable framework for evaluating the overall happiness of cities. If you find yourself living in one of these top ten happiest mid-sized cities, congratulations! You’re part of a community that values well-being and quality of life.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
