New Jersey named nation's 2nd happiest state, trailing only Hawaii
The Garden State placed just behind top-ranked Hawaii and ahead of third-place Utah in the study.
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New Jersey ranks as the second-happiest state in the nation, driven by strong mental health indicators, tight-knit social connections, and high household earning power.
The Garden State placed just behind top-ranked Hawaii and ahead of third-place Utah in the study, which analyzed all 50 states across 30 metrics spanning emotional health, economic stability, and community environment.
New Jersey posted the lowest adult depression rate in the entire country. The state also recorded the lowest percentage of adults reporting childhood trauma, the highest share of residents reporting supportive relationships, and the fifth-highest overall life satisfaction rate.
Family stability and financial security further bolstered the state's standing. New Jersey holds the nation's second-lowest separation and divorce rate at roughly 17%. Economically, the state boasts the second-highest percentage of households earning over $75,000 annually, alongside the seventh-lowest food insecurity rate in the U.S.
Hawaii claimed the top spot due to high physical health metrics, low unemployment, and the nation's longest life expectancy. West Virginia landed at the bottom of the rankings, placing 50th overall.
"The happiest states are those that provide above-average quality of life in a wide variety of areas, from strong state economies and great physical and mental healthcare to adequate amounts of leisure time," WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said. He added that while money alone does not guarantee happiness, maintaining comfortable living conditions remains essential.
