A new study published Tuesday examined the "happiest" cities across the United States for the year 2024.
The new study released by WalletHub looked at 29 factors in determining the happiest cities in the country. These factors include the depression rate, income-growth rate, job satisfaction, and average leisure time spent per day in each city.
"Money can buy happiness to a certain degree because a stable income is essential for a person's physical and mental well-being. 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, an analyst for WalletHub, said.
Here are the top three happiest cities in America, per WalletHub's rankings.
1. Fremont, California
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 1
Income and employment rank: 85
Community and environment rank: 3
Topping the list is Fremont, California. Of all cities on the list, Fremont had the highest share of households (80%) with an average income of over $75,000. In addition, the study found that Fremont residents had a high rate of satisfaction and a long average lifespan. It also has the lowest share of adults who reported having 14 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past month.
This is the fourth consecutive year Fremont topped the list.
2. Overland Park, Kansas
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 6
Income and employment rank: 36
Community and environment rank: 6
Following closely is Overland Park, Kansas. The city has a poverty rate of 4.2%, the lowest in the U.S. The unemployment rate is also one of the lowest in the nation, at 3%. Additionally, the study noted that residents of Overland Park have the highest sports participation rates in the country.
3. San Jose, California
Emotional and physical well-being rank: 2
Income and employment rank: 33
Community and environment rank: 37
San Jose, another city in Northern California, ranked third. San Jose residents have the longest average life expectancy in the country and one of the lowest separation and divorce rates.
The study noted that San Jose had the best scores on Sharecare's Community Well-Being Index, which examines how much residents like where they live and whether they feel safe in their area.
