In a recent study conducted by WalletHub , the personal-finance outlet assessed the happiness levels across all 50 states in the U.S. by examining various factors contributing to emotional and physical well-being. While happiness can be subjective, WalletHub's research aimed to quantify it using three main categories: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment.
This comprehensive analysis utilized a total of 30 metrics, including life expectancy, rates of adult depression, commute times, unemployment figures, and divorce rates, drawing data from credible sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The findings revealed a stark reality: many of the unhappiest states are primarily rural, low-income regions, particularly in the Deep South. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo noted that these states tend to rank poorly not just in happiness but across various economic and socioeconomic metrics. Here’s a look at the 10 unhappiest states in the U.S.
List of stressful states in America
Source: WalletHub
Least stressed states of the U.S. in 2024
Kentucky
Kentucky ranked as the 10th unhappiest state, with low scores in both emotional and physical well-being and work environment. The CDC reports that 25.8% of adults in Kentucky have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, exceeding the national average. Additionally, the state's life expectancy is notably low at 73.5 years, and its employment rate sits at 57.4%, below the national average.
Despite these challenges, Kentucky fared better in community and environment, finishing 16th in this category.
Mississippi
Mississippi ranks as the 9th unhappiest state, finishing 41st for emotional and physical well-being and 40th for work environment. The state has the lowest life expectancy in the nation at just 71.9 years and a significant employment rate of only 54.3%.
The state's residents also work longer hours on average than the national norm. In terms of community and environment, Mississippi ranked 35th, with low volunteer rates and high divorce rates.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, the emotional and physical well-being index is particularly low, with a ranking of 48th. Approximately 27% of adults report being diagnosed with depression. Nevertheless, the state performs surprisingly well in community and environment, finishing 5th overall, which helps mitigate its lower rankings in other areas.
Alabama
Alabama ranks 7th, performing poorly in both emotional and physical well-being and community and environment. With a life expectancy of just 73.2 years and a depression rate of 24%, Alabama faces significant challenges. The state does show better performance in work environment metrics, where it ranked 33rd overall.
Alaska
Alaska's lowest score of 48th comes from its work environment, with the longest work hours and minimal income growth. While the state's emotional and physical well-being is relatively better, ranking 33rd, it still faces challenges due to high depression rates and a lower life expectancy of 76.6 years.
New Mexico
New Mexico is the fifth unhappiest state, particularly struggling with emotional and physical well-being and work environment metrics. Although it ranks 24th in community and environment, it has a low employment rate of 55% and high divorce rates, indicating significant societal challenges.
Tennessee
Tennessee has mixed rankings, finishing 24th for work environment but plummeting to 46th for emotional and physical well-being. High rates of adult depression and a low life expectancy contribute to its unhappy status, despite economic growth in urban areas like Nashville.
West Virginia
Ranking third, West Virginia has the lowest score for workplace environment and a very low employment rate of 51.7%. The state's economic struggles are compounded by high depression rates and lower life expectancy. Interestingly, it does score well in community and environment metrics, suggesting residents find some solace in their local environments.
Arkansas
Arkansas is the second unhappiest state, particularly noted for its low emotional and physical well-being scores. The state has high rates of depression and low life expectancy. Despite these challenges, its community and environment rank is relatively moderate.
Louisiana
Finally, Louisiana is ranked as the unhappiest state in the U.S., with concerning statistics for emotional and physical well-being and work environment. The state has high rates of depression and low life expectancy, alongside low employment figures. With significant challenges in community and environment as well, Louisiana's position as the unhappiest state reflects deep-rooted socio economic issues.
Also read: Ranking the 10 most-visited theme parks: Disney’s Magic Kingdom leads the way
This comprehensive analysis utilized a total of 30 metrics, including life expectancy, rates of adult depression, commute times, unemployment figures, and divorce rates, drawing data from credible sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The findings revealed a stark reality: many of the unhappiest states are primarily rural, low-income regions, particularly in the Deep South. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo noted that these states tend to rank poorly not just in happiness but across various economic and socioeconomic metrics. Here’s a look at the 10 unhappiest states in the U.S.
List of stressful states in America
Source: WalletHub
Least stressed states of the U.S. in 2024
Kentucky
Kentucky ranked as the 10th unhappiest state, with low scores in both emotional and physical well-being and work environment. The CDC reports that 25.8% of adults in Kentucky have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, exceeding the national average. Additionally, the state's life expectancy is notably low at 73.5 years, and its employment rate sits at 57.4%, below the national average.
Despite these challenges, Kentucky fared better in community and environment, finishing 16th in this category.
Mississippi
Mississippi ranks as the 9th unhappiest state, finishing 41st for emotional and physical well-being and 40th for work environment. The state has the lowest life expectancy in the nation at just 71.9 years and a significant employment rate of only 54.3%.
The state's residents also work longer hours on average than the national norm. In terms of community and environment, Mississippi ranked 35th, with low volunteer rates and high divorce rates.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, the emotional and physical well-being index is particularly low, with a ranking of 48th. Approximately 27% of adults report being diagnosed with depression. Nevertheless, the state performs surprisingly well in community and environment, finishing 5th overall, which helps mitigate its lower rankings in other areas.
Alabama
Alabama ranks 7th, performing poorly in both emotional and physical well-being and community and environment. With a life expectancy of just 73.2 years and a depression rate of 24%, Alabama faces significant challenges. The state does show better performance in work environment metrics, where it ranked 33rd overall.
Alaska
Alaska's lowest score of 48th comes from its work environment, with the longest work hours and minimal income growth. While the state's emotional and physical well-being is relatively better, ranking 33rd, it still faces challenges due to high depression rates and a lower life expectancy of 76.6 years.
New Mexico
New Mexico is the fifth unhappiest state, particularly struggling with emotional and physical well-being and work environment metrics. Although it ranks 24th in community and environment, it has a low employment rate of 55% and high divorce rates, indicating significant societal challenges.
Tennessee
Tennessee has mixed rankings, finishing 24th for work environment but plummeting to 46th for emotional and physical well-being. High rates of adult depression and a low life expectancy contribute to its unhappy status, despite economic growth in urban areas like Nashville.
West Virginia
Ranking third, West Virginia has the lowest score for workplace environment and a very low employment rate of 51.7%. The state's economic struggles are compounded by high depression rates and lower life expectancy. Interestingly, it does score well in community and environment metrics, suggesting residents find some solace in their local environments.
Arkansas
Arkansas is the second unhappiest state, particularly noted for its low emotional and physical well-being scores. The state has high rates of depression and low life expectancy. Despite these challenges, its community and environment rank is relatively moderate.
Louisiana
Finally, Louisiana is ranked as the unhappiest state in the U.S., with concerning statistics for emotional and physical well-being and work environment. The state has high rates of depression and low life expectancy, alongside low employment figures. With significant challenges in community and environment as well, Louisiana's position as the unhappiest state reflects deep-rooted socio economic issues.
Also read: Ranking the 10 most-visited theme parks: Disney’s Magic Kingdom leads the way
