Hawaii leads the country as the state most suited for a person's well-being, based on a new study conducted by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The report, entitled "State of American Well-Being: 2015 State Rankings," collected data from more than 177,000 respondents across the United States, who were asked questions about the key elements of well-being, including purpose, social relationships, financial security, community and physical health.
While well-being can be measured by numerous factors, where a person lives greatly affects his state of happiness.
"Well-being in the U.S. exhibits regional patterns. The northern plains and mountain west are higher well-being areas, along with some western states and pockets of the northeast and Atlantic," the report stated. "The lowest well-being states are in the south and move north through the industrial Midwest."
With its beaches, tropical scenery and laid-back lifestyle, Hawaii topped the list with a score of 64.8 percent. This is the fifth time the tropical state earned the accolade. It also ranked first for physical health and second for community.
The data, acquired by Elle Decor, Alaska closely came in second place, with 64.1 percent, moving down from last year's top spot. It was also included in all categories and is first place for financial happiness.
Coming in at third place was Montana, garnering a score of 63.8 percent. It also landed the top spot for community happiness, but was among the bottom for the social relationships category.
Colorado closely followed with 63.6 percent and ranked second for physical health. Closing the top five was Wyoming, earning 63.5 percent. It also ranked third place for purpose and fourth for community happiness.
Coincidentally, all the states in the top five are known for their great outdoors. South Dakota, Minnesota, Utah, Arizona and California rounded up the top 10. Meanwhile, Kentucky and West Virginia were in the bottom at 49th and 50th places, respectively, for seven straight years.
