Happiest states in America: New Jersey ranks 3rd
A personal-finance website has released its report on the Happiest States in America in 2024 to identify the places that create the best conditions for life satisfaction.
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 30 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate.
| Happiest States in America | ||
| 1. Hawaii | 11. South Carolina | |
| 2. Maryland | 12. South Dakota | |
| 3. New Jersey | 13. California | |
| 4. Utah | 14. Florida | |
| 5. Delaware | 14. New Hampshire | |
| 6. Minnesota | 16. Virginia | |
| 7. Connecticut | 17. Illinois | |
| 8. Idaho | 18. Kansas | |
| 9. Nebraska | 19. Iowa | |
| 10. Massachusetts | 20. Georgia |
Best vs. Worst
- Hawaii has the lowest share of adult depression, which is 2.3 times lower than in Tennessee, the state with the highest.
- New Jersey has the fewest suicides (per 100,000 residents), which is 3.7 times fewer than in Montana, the state with the most.
- Utah has the highest volunteer rate, which is 2.6 times higher than in Florida, the state where the rate is the lowest.
- Utah has the lowest separation and divorce rate, which is 1.7 times lower than in New Mexico, the state where the rate is the highest.
New Jersey
New Jersey is the third-happiest state, with the lowest share of people reporting traumatic events during their childhood and the second-highest life satisfaction rate. The state also has the second-lowest depression rate and the second-highest share of people who have supportive relationships and love in their lives. All these factors come together to create the conditions for good mental health.
Residents of New Jersey also demonstrate their happiness in their marriages. The Garden State has the third-lowest separation and divorce rate in the country, at around 17%.
Finally, when it comes to finances, New Jersey has the third-highest share of households earning over $75,000 per year. It also has the sixth-lowest food insecurity rate, which shows that the state is making progress when it comes to addressing poverty. Plus, New Jersey has the ninth-lowest share of people who get anxious when thinking about their personal finances.
Banker Eric Bustamante tends to agree with the report but took exception to the bane of many New Jersey residents: property taxes.
“I am not that happy when it comes to property taxes,” said the general manager of Philippine National Bank, a Raritan Valley resident of 12 years. “We are paying $15,350 annual property taxes on our home.”
Otherwise, he is pleased to be a resident of New Jersey with its “big and spacious” houses and “lush green environment.”
“That’s why we are called the Garden State,” he said. “New Jersey is truly a family life home.”
Marketing professional Mylz Tolentino has returned to Jersey City after living in Las Vegas for many years.
“I moved back to N.J. for a reason.” Her way of saying New Jersey will always be home.
To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959
