The Happiest Cities in the US Have Been Revealed—See If Yours Made the List

Whether you live close to family and friends or in an always-sunny state, where you reside can greatly impact how you feel.

To identify where United States residents are happiest, WalletHub analyzed more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities—including the 150 most populated, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state—using insights from positive psychology research. Each city was evaluated across 29 key indicators of happiness, including depression rates, income growth, and average daily leisure time.

Here are the top 10 happiest cities, according to WalletHub's findings.

1. Fremont, Calif.
2. Bismarck, N.D.
3. Scottsdale, Ariz.
4. South Burlington, VT
5. Fargo, N.D.
6. Overland Park, Kan.
7. Charleston, S.C.
8. Irvine, Calif,
9. Gilbert, Ariz.
10. San Jose, Calif.

To see the complete rankings of all 182 cities, check out WalletHub's report.

Fremont, Calif., topped the list, thanks in part to the city having the highest share of households (at nearly 80 percent) with an income above $75,000, which is the income level demonstrated to maximize happiness. According to WalletHub, people in Fremont also have the highest rate of life satisfaction, the seventh-lowest depression rate, and the fifth-highest average life expectancy in the country.

Related Stories

10 Hobbies for Older Adults That Improve Brain and Body Health

Planning a Spring Getaway? Airbnb Says These 3 Trends Will Be Everywhere in 2026

Bismarck, North Dakota, ranked second, with residents reporting overall good health, plenty of sleep, and a notable amount of daily leisure time. In the third place, Scottsdale is home to residents with good incomes and good physical and mental health, WalletHub found.

"When deciding where to live to maximize your happiness, you’ll want to pick a city that offers more than just a decent average income," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report. "The ideal city provides conditions that foster good mental and physical health, like reasonable work hours, short commutes, good weather, and caring neighbors."