Every year, when the world’s happiest countries are discussed, chilly Finland almost systematically tops the charts. But what about the happiest cities? A recent study by WalletHub revealed which ones lead the rankings in the U.S., and surprisingly, California took the podium.
More specifically, less than an hour from L.A., this unassuming sunny town at the foot of the Santa Ana Mountains is the third happiest in the country. Yes, we’re talking about Irvine, which comes in just behind two other California cities: San José and Fremont.
Irvine, SoCal’s happiest city
Irvine ranks as the third-happiest city in the U.S., thanks in large part to the health and well-being of its residents. According to the study, over 88% of adults report being in good or better health, the third-highest percentage nationwide, and nearly 84% engage in regular physical activity. Life expectancy is also impressive, with the city ranking seventh in the country.
Mental health is equally strong. Irvine has the third-lowest share of adults reporting 14 or more mentally unhealthy days per month, and ranks eighth for the lowest depression rate. Financial stability also contributes to residents’ happiness, with about 68% of households earning over $75,000 annually. Marriages are notably resilient as well, with this city holding the third-lowest separation/divorce rate in the nation.
Beyond happiness, Irvine consistently leads other rankings too, including some of the safest cities in America and the best places to rent, making it a standout in multiple aspects of quality of life.
What makes a city “happy”?
To identify America’s happiest cities, WalletHub analyzed 182 of the largest U.S. cities (including the 150 most populated plus at least two from each state) across three areas: emotional and physical, overall well-being, income and employment, and community and environment. Using 29 metrics, each scored on a 100-point scale. From this ranking, the 10 happiest cities in the U.S. are as follows:
- Fremont, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Irvine, CA
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Overland Park, KS
- Lincoln, NE
- Madison, WI
- Scottsdale, AZ
- San Francisco, CA
- Huntington Beach, CA