To determine the nation’s happiest states, analysts compared states across three dimensions — emotional and physical well-being; work environment; and community and environment — using 31 metrics. Metrics ranged from the suicide rate to income growth and the unemployment rate.
The 10 happiest states, in descending order:
1. Hawaii
2. Maryland
3. Minnesota
4. Utah
5. New Jersey
6. Idaho
7. California
8. Illinois
9. Nebraska
10. Connecticut