A study by the financial services firm WalletHub shows that Maryland is the nation’s fifth happiest state, edged out only by Hawaii (probably not with today’s weather), New Jersey, Utah and Idaho.
With a recent Gallup poll showing only 44% of Americans are “very satisfied” with the way their life is going, the WalletHub released its report on the Happiest States in America in 2026, as well as expert commentary, 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.
Best vs. worst
- New Jersey has the lowest share of adult depression, which is 2.4 times lower than in West Virginia, the state with the highest.
- New Jersey has the fewest suicides (per 100,000 residents), which is 4.4 times fewer than in Alaska, the state with the most.
- Utah has the highest volunteer rate, which is 2.5 times higher than in Rhode Island, 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.
To view the full report and your state’s rank, visit wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959.
