Massachusetts Ranks Among Happiest States, Despite Low Community Score

Listen up, Bay Staters: There's no better time than to not "worry and be happy" than the present.

In a recent survey conducted by WalletHub, Massachusetts has secured a spot among the top 10 happiest states in America. The annual survey placed the Bay State at number 10 overall with a score of 58.25, just behind states like Hawaii, which took the top spot with an impressive 68.71.

Though Massachusetts is often associated with a reputation for being gruff or "cranky," the data suggests that residents here are, in fact, quite happy. The state excelled in two key areas, ranking 4th in Emotional & Physical Well-Being and 5th in Work Environment. However, Massachusetts did face a significant drop when it came to its Community & Environment score, landing in 45th place.

The rankings were based on three key dimensions:

1. Emotional & Physical Well-Being
2. Work Environment
3. Community & Environment

These categories were assessed using 30 metrics, each graded on a 100-point scale, where a score of 100 represented maximum happiness. The states were then ranked based on their weighted averages across these metrics.

Data Behind the Rankings

To ensure accurate results, WalletHub pulled data from a variety of reliable sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gallup, and several other organizations. The data used for this ranking was collected as of May 16, 2024, providing a comprehensive snapshot of happiness across the United States.

While Massachusetts performed well in several areas, the state’s low rank in Community & Environment highlights a potential area for improvement, despite the overall positive outlook for its residents.

Lastly, if you're trying to avoid the unhappiest state? Avoid Louisiana at all costs.