A new ranking measured American cities by happiness, based on things like jobs, income, and emotional well-being. See which Wisconsin and Illinois cities made the cut.

Happiest Cities in America

In this brand new ranking from WalletHub, several Midwestern cities made it onto the list. Both Illinois and Wisconsin make it Into the top 40 happiest American cities.

Real quick, this is how HAPPINESS was measured for this ranking. Three areas were most important:

  • Emotional and Physical Well-Being
  • Income & Employment
  • Community & Environment

More on the methodology can be found here.


 

 

Happiest Places to Live, according to WalletHub

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1. Fremont, California


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2. Overland Park, Kansas


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3. San Jose, California


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A total of 182 cities are listed in this ranking from WalletHub.

Money can buy happiness to a certain degree because a stable income is essential for a person’s physical and mental wellbeing. However, plenty of other factors affect happiness as well, and the happiest cities combine economic security with kind communities and conditions that are conducive to low depression rates and high life satisfaction. (Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst)

At No. 4 on the list of happiest cities is the city in Wisconsin.

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4. Madison, Wisconsin

The 4th happiest place to live in America, Madison, WI, is the city that was also just named, The Most Caring City in the US.

Madison ranked in the top 10 for both the emotional and physical well-being of their residents, as well as the overall community and environment that residents live in.

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And now, the highest-ranking city in Illinois. A Chicago suburb known for being one of the best places to "live the American dream."

MORE: 49 Best Companies To Work For In Illinois, Says Forbes


 

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37. Aurora, Illinois

Chicago and Milwaukee also made the the list at No. 83 and No. 108, respectively.

See ALL 182 of the happiest places to live in America here.

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